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.

Giacometti was a key player in the Surrealist Movement, but his work resists easy categorization. Some describe it as formalist, others argue it is expressionist. Even after his excommunication from the Surrealist group, while the intention of his sculpting was usually imitation, the end products were an expression of his emotional response to the subject.

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

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

Artists who inspired Giacometti: Pablo Picasso David Smith Louise Bourgeois Susan Rothenberg Mark di Suvero Bryan Hunt

Pablo Picasso "Young Girl Throwing a Rock"1931

David Smith

Louise Bourgeois

Susan Rothenberg

Mark di Suvero

Bryan Hunt.

Giacometti’s Work

Alberto Giacometti in his studio

Giacometti’s father was an artist and he influenced Alberto to experiment with art and different media at a young age.

When he started sculpting, he used his family as models. His sculptures started out as busts and then transformed into full bodies. Portrait bust: A portrait sculpture or a painting representing a person's head, neck, shoulders and upper chest, and perhaps the upper arms.

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

Diego, circa 1914 – Plaster, 10,62 x 4,37 x 5,43 in. Collection Foundation Alberto et Annette Giacometti.

Head of Ottilia, circa stone,14,96 x 8,46 x 6,53 in.

circa Cubist Composition 1. circa , Plaster retravaillé au canif. 26,85 x 17,71 x 15,19 in. Fondation Alberto et Annette Giacometti

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

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.

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), 1950 Bronze, Fondation Beyeler cast, Susse Fondeur Paris, 91 x 36.5 x 34 cm Photo: Robert Bayer, Base

Alberto Giacometti hand bronze, green and brown patina

Akia, 1959,Oil on canvas, 92 x 72.8 cm Photo: 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 Bronze.

Standing Woman 1959 Alberto Giacometti Bronze, edition of 2 h cm

Alberto Giacometti The falling man. 1947

Artist: Diego Giacometti, Attributed to, Swiss ( ) Title: Ostrich Medium: Bronze Sculpture Size: 19.5 in. x 6 in. x 7 in.

Project How-To

Locate the center of the longest wire and twist. This will be the head. Form wire figure on styrofoam base Cover with aluminum foil to fill out figure shape. You want the foil to have a crumpled look.

Apply paper over the foil using PAVERPOL. Paint with matte black. Lightly apply metallic gold over sculpture to give it a bronze look.

Past Student Work