De Chirico’s Sculptures

25 April 2016

Pera Museum is proud to present an exhibition of Giorgio de Chirico, a pioneer of the metaphysical art movement and one of the most extraordinary artists of the 20th century. Brought to life in collaboration with the Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico in Rome, the exhibition comprises a broad selection of 70 paintings, 2 lithography series, and 10 sculptures. Take a look at the fascinating sculptures from the exhibition! 

Orpheus, 1970, gold patinated bronze, 45 x 19 x 22,5 cm. Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Collection, Rome 

De Chirico’s working relationship with sculpture occurred relatively late in his career. It was in 1940, at the age of 52, and in the midst of World War II, that he started to produce terracotta sculptures of choice protagonists of his artistic repertoire, including Ariadne, Rider on his Horse, and The Archaeologists. 

The Archaeologists, 1940, Polychrome terracotta, 28 x 22 x 23 cm. Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Collection, Rome 

For the artist, “If a sculpture is hard, it is not sculpture. Sculpture must be soft and warm; as such, it will not only have all of painting’s softness, but all of its colour too. A beautiful sculpture is always painterly”. 

The Sibyls, 1970, gold patinated bronze, 54 x 18 x 38,5 cm. Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Collection, Rome 

De Chirico manages to make them appear more real, breathing life, with almost Pygmalionesque skill, into their inanimate terracotta bodies. These initial dealings with sculpture were short-lived and it was not until 1968, at the age of 80, that he took sculpture up again, choosing to cast his earlier terracotta works into bronze as well as expand his sculptural repertoire with figures like The Consoler and Hector and Andromache

The Consoler, 1970,
Silver patinated bronze, 34 x 19 x 19,5 cm.
Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Collection, Rome 

Highlighting his various periods with examples from his earliest works to last ones, Giorgio de Chirico: The Enigma of the World exhibition took place at the Pera Museum between 24 February - 08 May 2016.

The Horse Figure in Mersad Berber’s Works

The Horse Figure in Mersad Berber’s Works

Mersad Berber (1940-2012), is one of the greatest and the most significant representatives of Bosnian-Herzegovinian and Yugoslav art in the second half of the 20th century. His vast body of expressive and unique works triggered the local art scene’s recognition into Europe as well as the international stage.

Game of Mangala

Game of Mangala

Three figures in Eastern dress are shown in repose against an exotic landscape, smoking pipes and playing mangala. Inventories of the royal collections from 1739 identify the members of this group as the royal eunuch Matthias and two odalisques. 

#VideoPopPera A Special Exhibition Tour

#VideoPopPera A Special Exhibition Tour

Pera Museum’s Instagram account was taken over by “This is Not A Love Song” exhibition’s project managers Fatma Çolakoğlu and Ulya Soley!