Alberto Savinio: The Other de Chirico Between Irony and the Unconscious
Alberto Savinio, originally named Andrea de Chirico, was born in Athens on August 25, 1891. He was a multifaceted artist—painter, writer, and musician—and the younger sibling of Giorgio de Chirico. His artistic approach fuses elements of Surrealism and Metaphysics. After beginning his training in music, he released his first piece, 'Hermaphrodito', in 1918 through 'La Voce', which represents the duality and balance of genders. His artwork frequently explores themes of transformation between humans and animals, as seen in 'Penelope' (1940). In 1950, he created 'Studio per la madre', integrating a human form with an armchair. Savinio's storytelling is marked by a blend of sarcasm and fantasy. He became a member of 'Les Italiens de Paris' in 1928 and passed away in Rome on May 5, 1952; a retrospective was showcased at the Venice Biennale in 1954.
Key facts
- Alberto Savinio was born in Athens on August 25, 1891, as Andrea de Chirico.
- He was the brother of Giorgio de Chirico.
- His style is between Surrealism and Metaphysics.
- He was a painter, writer, and musician, trained in piano and composition.
- His first work 'Hermaphrodito' was published in 1918 in 'La Voce'.
- His paintings feature human-animal metamorphosis, such as 'Penelope' (1940).
- He was part of 'Les Italiens de Paris' in 1928.
- He died in Rome on May 5, 1952; the Venice Biennale held a retrospective in 1954.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- La Voce
- Les Italiens de Paris
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Athens
- Greece
- Florence
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Rome