Author Description

De Chirico and the United Kingdom (c.1916-1978) constitutes the first in-depth study into de Chirico's lifelong relationship with the country. Detailing over 60 years' worth of activity through c. 550 documents, this publication establishes the fundamental importance that the UK played in the artist's career with his work appearing in no less than 85 exhibitions, 49 of which are documented here for the first time. The recent discovery of extensive correspondence, press reviews and other documentation has enabled a thorough examination of three solo exhibitions held in London (Alex. Reid & Lefevre Ltd., 1938, Royal Society of British Artists, 1949, and Wildenstein Gallery, 1976); successful and failed acquisition bids for de Chirico's artwork in the public sector, as well as the 1962-1964 controversy involving the Tate's display of three paintings (on long-term loan from Edward James) that the artist denounced as fake.