CHIRICO, GIORGIO DE. (1888-1978). Greek-born, Italian painter; originator of the pittura metafisica or “metaphysical” style of painting. ALS. (“G. de Chirico”). 1p. 4to. Florence, October 31, 1932. To Milanese art dealer COUNT VITTORIO EMANUELE BARBAROUX (1901-1954). In Italian with translation.

“Here is the list of paintings that I will ship via courier tomorrow, arriving in Milan on Saturday. Additionally, I will be sending approximately thirty pieces, including gouaches, watercolors, drawings, lithographs, etc. I trust that this will result in a great exhibition.

I kindly request that the boxes must not be opened until my arrival. I will arrive in Milan next Sunday. Furthermore, I hope that my exhibition is exclusive and personal, and that you have not added sculptures to it, in which case I must decline my participation. Additionally, I am forwarding some photographs of my recent works.

I will have some others photographed here. I think I do not need to demand that you take good care of the exhibition. I know that you are the only one in Italy who knows how to do these things using taste and intelligence. I sent an express mail addressed to Funi at the gallery, but he did not answer me.

Best regards, and I look forward to seeing you soon… [In a postscript at the top of the page de Chirico adds]: Please pay the freight forwarder upon the delivery of the boxes scheduled for Saturday.”

Aligned with the surrealists in melding fantastic with mundane themes, de Chirico’s melancholy paintings of abandoned urban spaces such as The Soothsayers’ Recompose and The Mystery and Melancholy of the Street, earned him the admiration of Pablo Picasso and the poet Guillaume Apollinaire. In the 1920s, de Chirico modified his earlier style, turning to the use of brighter colors and the inclusion of domestic objects in his work.

Count Vittorio Emanuele Barbaroux bought and sold art and hosted solo shows of de Chirico in 1930 and 1932, the latter discussed in our letter. He operated a gallery in Milan’s Via S. Spirito from 1938 to 1954, continuing to represent de Chirico’s work. Our letter mentions Italian painter Achille Funi (1890-1972) who developed a unique style blending neoclassical themes with a modernist sensibility.

Foled and creased with light age toning around the edges and file holes in the left margin. In very good condition.