The Enigma of the Arrival and the Afternoon by Giorgio de Chirico, 1912. Oil on canvas, 27 ½ x 34 inches.

Although it is basically impossible to remember, it is true that de Chirico pre-dates Surrealism by about two decades. Which is why I don’t find the formal start date, coinciding with Breton’s Manifeste du Surréalisme (1924), to be all that useful. For the surreal experience, the art is only a catalyst for the mind.

Plus, Breton, Dalí, and all the rest would think it very silly of us to put a start date on surrealism. It’s been happening as long as there have been people.

Furthermore, I don’t care what anybody thinks. It’s my blog and I like this painting.