His enigmatic compositions combined deserted squares with classical architecture, mysterious towers and ancient sculptures. On many occasions he incorporated a steam train.
The original motif of the town square flanked by arcades first surfaced in 1913 or 1914 and was possibly inspired by the arcaded streets of Turin. De Chirico returned to the subject at regular intervals well into the 1960s with ever-changing variations and combinations of the crucial elements.
Pictured here are two versions coming up for sale at auctions in Austria and Italy.
The 16 x 20in (40 x 50cm) canvas pictured above to be offered at Dorotheum in Vienna on November 24 was created sometime in the late 1940s and is expected to bring €140,000-180,000.
The 20 x 16in (50 x 40cm) oil on canvas from 1951 shown below will be one of the highlights of a two-day sale of Contemporary and Modern Art to be held by Farsettiarte in Prato on December 11-12. Estimate €200,000-260,000.
A work by Giorgio de Chirico, estimated at €200,000-260,000 at Farsettiarte.
