Metaphysical Interior

early 1920s

Breton discovers one of his metaphysical paintings

In the early 1920s the Surrealist writer André Breton sees one of de Chirico's metaphysical paintings in Guillaume's Paris gallery and is enthralled; numerous young artists similarly affected by his imagery will form the core of the Paris Surrealist group around Breton. In 1922 Yves Tanguy, seeing a de Chirico in a dealer's window, resolves on the spot to become an artist, although he had never held a brush.

1924

Paris: accepted into the Surrealist group

In 1924 de Chirico visits Paris and is accepted into the Surrealist group, although the Surrealists are severely critical of his post-metaphysical work.

1925

Marriage to the ballerina Raissa Gurievich; Paris

In 1925 de Chirico meets and marries the Russian ballerina Raissa Gurievich; together they move to Paris.

1926

The break with the Surrealists

De Chirico's relationship with the Surrealists grows increasingly contentious as they publicly disparage his new work; by 1926 he has come to regard them as “cretinous and hostile.” They soon part ways in acrimony.