Giorgio de Chirico “The Red Tower” at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice

Painting - Oil on Canvas (73.5 x 100.5 cm) 1913

Giorgio de Chirico, The Red Tower This picture shows an unobstructed view where silence reigns, only shadows that stretch disproportionately seem to be capable of mobility in time suspended.

Not a single bird, not a single living presence in this unreal landscape: Dream or nightmare scenery?

The rider's sculpture, imposing, dominating the space of its height, is emphasized by its base's white light.

The side arches are identical, high, sad, also empty of life.

The only round element, truly embossed and flesh-coloured, the high crenellated tower becomes the human element that occupies the painting's centre.

This red tower is a face with eyes windows that watch 360 degrees.

A face fortress surmounted by slots of defence opens a door mouth, partly shaded with shade while being placed in the facade's part lying in the sun.

A door mouth surrounded by horizontal pink strokes reinforces the importance of this opening at the centre point of the painting, space towards which everything converges.

Giorgio de Chirico, The Red Tower