“The Nostalgia of the Poet,” an allegorical painting created by Giorgio de Chirico in 1914 in Paris, France, is situated within the Metaphysical art movement. The medium used for this work includes charcoal, oil, and canvas. The dimensions of the artwork are 89.7 x 40.7 cm, and it is currently housed in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy.
The artwork presents a striking juxtaposition of elements that evoke a dream-like, contemplative ambience. The scene features a sculptural head, evoking classical antiquity, placed prominently in the foreground. This head, with its one darkened eye, suggests a deliberate alteration, perhaps alluding to an introspective or melancholic state. Behind the sculptural head, another figure, stitched with visible, almost anatomical lines, stands in contrast to the polished, marble-like texture of the head. Between these figures, and towering above, an abstract, irregularly shaped object is seen, reminiscent of a distorted relic or fossil. Within this composition, there is an interplay of light and shadow, which further emphasizes the silent, enigmatic mood characteristic of de Chirico’s Metaphysical paintings. The intricate interplay of these diverse elements results in a composition that invites introspection and elicits various interpretations, underscoring the poetic nostalgia implied by the title of the artwork.
