Russia to hold first retrospective of De Chirico's works

Moscow - The Tretyakov State Gallery in Moscow, in conjunction with the Russian company Bosco di Ciliegi, will host De Chirico's first large-scale exhibition in Russia.

"The preparation of the exhibition 'Giorgio De Chirico. Illuminazione metafisiche' ( "Giorgio De Chirico - Metaphysical Insights") lasted for a year and a half," said Zelfira Tregulova, Tretyakov director, to Russian news agency Tass during a press conference. She also specified that the exhibition will feature 100 pieces by the great Italian artist. In addition to paintings, drawings and sculptures, the gallery will display the theatrical costumes de Chirico designed for Sergei Diaghilev, the great innovator of Russian and European ballet.

The exhibition will kick-start the Atkrytij Festival Iskusstv, an event which Bosco di Ciliegi organizes every year. Mikhail Kusnirovich, Bosco di Ciliegi's founder and president, is a great lover of Italy. The exhibition's catalogue was realized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Moscow and Angelini. "The exhibition showcasing the art of Giorgio de Chirico, whose works revolutionized 20th century art in the world, is of great significance for Moscow," said Olga Strada, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in the Russian capital.

"The relationship between de Chirico and Russia has evolved through different ways, times and places. On the one hand, he met with representatives of the Russian migration culture. On the other there was the 1929 Expo, when four of his works were on display at the State Museum of the New Western Art in Bolshevik Moscow.

That was the first time Russian audiences had a chance to become acquainted with his paintings. Mention is to be made also of his meeting with the Russian ballerina Raisa Gurevich-Krol, whom he first saw at the Teatro d'Arte, which Pirandello, a great Italian writer, founded at Palazzo Odescalchi. Raisa Gurevich-Krol was to become his wife," concluded Ms Strada.