Alberto Giocometti

Alberto Giacometti, most famous for his sculptures of emaciated figures isolated in space, throughout his career also kept to drawing and watercolour. “Drawing is the basis of everything”, was his strong belief. This new book presents a collection of around 100 previously unpublished drawings and watercolours bequeathed to Kunsthaus Zürich by Alberto’s youngest brother Bruno Giacometti (1907-2012). This well-guarded family treasure represents Alberto’s entire life, from his youth in Stampa, Switzerland to his late years in Paris.

The collection includes very early copies of works by old masters as well as studies of ancient Egyptian and Roman sculptures from the 1920s. It also shows how Alberto closely looked at the art of Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne and Auguste Rodin, leading to highly individual interpretations. It also comprises important portraits of some of the artist’s relatives, and self-portraits, alpine landscapes from his native Val Bregaglia and masterful figure studies from the 1950s and 60s.

This slim, beautiful new book presents the entire collection alongside an essay on their history and significance.

Text in English and German.