Tune In to De Chirico's Italian Piazza

Florence, Piazza Santa Croce, 1910. A man had a vision, everything reduced to its essence. Ordinary and surreal at once. That man was Giorgio de Chirico, and throughout his career he tried to capture this feeling in his pictures of Italian squares.

The statue is a contradictory presence. In some ways, it's a clear referential symbol, but in others ways, its meaning remains unclear. 

So what is the significance of De Chirico's vision? The painter seems to suggest that the time for reflection is short. The train runs along the horizon, reminding us that an epiphany will last only for an instant, leaving the enigma still unresolved. 

Zoom in and explore De Chirico's painting for yourself here.