Alberto Giacometti

The surface suggests the tortured emotions of modern man.

Alberto Giacometti (10 October 1901 – 11 January 1966)

An Italian-Swiss sculptor, painter, draughtsman, and printmaker who came from an artistic background; his father,

Giovanni, was a well-known Post-Impressionist painter. Alberto was the

eldest of four children and was interested in art from the beginning of his life.

He attempted to create renditions of his models the way

he saw them, and the way he thought they ought to be seen.

He once said that he was sculpting not the human figure

but "the shadow that is cast." His figures resembled the way he

looked upon himself.

Giacometti's "Walking Man" (1 of a series of 6), 1960

Drawings

Alberto Giacometti is a hungry sort of spaceman who eats away the forms he makes, leaving space

supreme. He would carry them in his pockets like peanuts and crush them

with a squeeze. After World War II, he began producing straw-thin

stick men reminiscent of ancient Sardinian

bronzes. They were universally admired, but

Giacometti went on destroying most of

them. This year he has finished nothing.

Written about Giacometti in 1959

Three Men Walking II, 1949Alberto Giacometti (Swiss, 1901–1966)Bronze

Alberto Giacometti (1901 1966) ‑ Man Pointing, 1947, 1780 x 950 x 520 mm. Collection Tate Acquisition Purchased 1949.

Alberto Giacometti (1901 1966) Bust of Diego‑ , 1955. MediumBronzeDimensionsobject: 565 x 320 x 145 mm, 8.8 kg

Tall figure II and Tall figure III 1960 by Alberto Giacometti

City SquareAlberto Giacometti (Swiss, 1901–1966)1948. Bronze, 8 1/2 x 25 3/8 x 17 1/4" (21.6 x 64.5 x 43.8 cm). Purchase. © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

The Cage (First Version), 1950Bronze, Fondation Beyeler cast, Susse Fondeur Paris, 91 x 36.5 x 34 cmPhoto: Robert Bayer, Base

Alberto Giacometti hand. 1947-1949 bronze, green and brown patina

Akia, 1959,Oil on canvas, 92 x 72.8 cmPhoto: Peter Schibli, Basel

1950 Still Life with Two Plaster Heads oil on canvas 41 x 31 cm © Succession Giacometti / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

1950 The Forest (Composition with Seven Figures and a Head) painted bronze 58.4 x 60 x 48.3 cm © 2011 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Dog, 1957, bronze 44.2 x 96.8 x 15.7 cm © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP/FAAG, Paris.

Alberto Giacometti Cat. 1951 Bronze.

Standing Woman1959Alberto GiacomettiBronze, edition of 2h. 132.1 cm

Alberto Giacometti The falling man. 1947

In your groups…

• You must think of a person doing something.• Maybe you could take it in turns to model different ways of posing –

everyone must have a drawing!• You must all decide what to do together• Look at your materials – what are difficulties may you have?• Make a detailed plan. Include measurements

• Homework:• Find two more images by Giacometti – One sculpture and one drawing or painting.• Are they similar in any way?• Complete the 5 w’s. Include your opinion.• Find out how much his sculpture ‘WalkingMan 1’ sold for.• What do you think he would feel about this if he were still alive?