“The Evil Genius of a King,” a distinguished oil on canvas created by Giorgio de Chirico in 1915 in Paris, France, exemplifies the Metaphysical art movement. This cityscape is currently housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork exudes a surreal and enigmatic atmosphere characteristic of de Chirico’s Metaphysical style. The composition features an assemblage of geometric forms and indistinct objects placed on a tilted plane that appears to defy conventional spatial logic. There is a strong juxtaposition between the looming architectural structures in the background and the whimsical, almost toy-like objects in the foreground. The sharp shadows and the use of contrasting colors further add to the otherworldly and contemplative ambiance of the scene. The artwork invites viewers to ponder the mysterious interplay between the depicted entities and their symbolic significance.