The artwork titled “The Anxious Journey,” painted by Giorgio de Chirico in 1913 in Paris, France, exemplifies the Metaphysical Art movement. This oil on canvas cityscape, measuring 74.3 x 106.7 cm, is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork features a series of dark, narrow archways which create a sense of depth and perspective, leading the viewer’s eye into the foreboding space. Within the frame, a bright, triangular patch of sunlight on the ground contrasts sharply with the surrounding darkness, casting elongated shadows that emphasize the eerie atmosphere. Through one of the archways, a cloud-filled sky is visible, framed by the silhouette of a distant building, adding to the dreamlike and somewhat disquieting mood. The juxtaposition of light and shadow, combined with the strong architectural elements and the enigmatic open space, evokes a sense of unease and contemplation inherent to the Metaphysical art style.
