n. 1/2 (2002)

“The seated mannequin is destined to inhabit rooms, especially the corners of rooms; open air does not suit him. This is where they are at home; where they flourish and generously display the gifts of their ineffable and mysterious poetry. This mysterious aspect of rooms and the corners of rooms which I have expressed in numerous paintings is also a phenomenon of great metaphysical interest; but to talk about this now would take too long and, as someone once said, there are cases and moments when we can only be true philosophers (and poets and painters, I may add) by remaining silent.”

Giorgio de Chirico
Birth of the Mannequin, 1938

(For text illustrations, please consult the Italian version of the essay).