Acrylic on canvas "Checkerboard Landscape", Andrés Segovia, 20th century – Argentina / Spain

A unique, dark and overwhelming ambient work. It recalls the mark left by the great Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978), the main representative of the metaphysical school. It inspires both peace and rest. This work by Andrés Segovia directly evokes the great piece "The Enigma of an Autumn Afternoon," created in Florence in 1910 by De Chirico; this work is considered the beginning of this movement focused on metaphysical philosophical thought, closely linked to the reflections of great philosophers like Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. The landscape interacts with urban aesthetics, softened by a futuristic style filter. The work is vertically divided into two states: one with clarity like a cold sunset, marking depth with a checkered floor. The study of the simulated horizon is impeccable yet unreal, as there are no elements that allude to real matter. To break the flatness of the upper part, the artist opts for a layering of geometric shapes, within each of which he has created a very fine chromatic study through small rolls. A subtle diffuse cloud is observed parallel to the horizon line. In the centre of the composition, small bursts of light in yellow and green tones are also visible. There is a great aesthetic force of metaphysical symbolist reading with a futuristic touch. Andrés Segovia (1929–1996) was the son of the famous guitarist Andrés Segovia Portillo (1893-1987) and his first wife, Adelaida del Gabucio. An Argentine-Spanish visual artist, he began his artistic training in Buenos Aires before moving to Europe to consolidate his career. In the early 1950s, he settled in Paris, where he integrated into the artistic circles of the School of Paris and was influenced by existentialism and post-war realism. He developed an international career marked by his mixed cultural heritage and stylistic evolution towards surrealism and geometric abstraction. Through his pictorial expression, he led numerous solo and group exhibitions in European avant-garde circles. His work is exhibited in many museums around the world, such as the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Düsseldorf. He held numerous exhibitions in cities like Paris, Geneva, and New York. By 1986, his works were already participating in significant international auctions. Throughout his career, his work has been collected by notable figures such as Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.