Alberto Savinio, real name Andrea Francesco Alberto de Chirico was born in Athens , Greece on 25.08.1891 in an Italian ex-patriot family, died in Florence, Italy on 05.05.1952. He was an Italian writer, painter, musician, journalist, essayist, playwright, set designer and composer. He was the younger brother of notorious metaphysical painter Giorgio De Chirico. His work often dealt with philosophical and psychological themes, and he also was heavily concerned with the philosophy of art. Throughout his life, Savinio composed five operas and authored at least forty-seven books, including multiple autobiographies and memoirs. Savinio also extensively wrote and produced works for the theater. Savinio’s work received mixed reviews during his lifetime, often due to his pervasive use of surrealism. He was influenced by and a contemporary of Apollinaire, Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Max Jacob, and Fernand Léger.
During the World War One, he and his brother joined the Italian Army. He first served in Ferrara where he became a friend with Carlo Carra. Under influence of Giovanni Papini, they created an influential artistic movement “Schola Methafisica” (Metaphysical School) which became one of the most significant artistic experiences of twentieth-century Italy. In 1917, Alberto Savinio was sent to Greece, more precisely to Thessaloniki, Macedonia where he was serving as interpreter to Italian troops. His experience and work were later published in the book of Francesco Clemente: “Savinio, Alberto; The Departure of the Argonaut.”
