Artists

Alberto Giacometti

Alberto Giacometti

(1901 - 1966)
Born: Stampa, Switzerland
Style: Surrealism
Famous Works:
  • The Palace at 4 A.M. (1932-33)
  • Man Pointing (1947)
  • The City Square (1948-49)
Alberto Giacometti, the son of Post-Impressionist painter Giovanni Giacometti, was born in Switzerland and immersed in the world of art. Giacometti completed many drawings and paintings as a child and attended the Geneva School of Fine Arts as a teenager. The artist moved to Paris in his early twenties to study under painter and sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Though he had sculpted from live models, Giacometti became increasingly interested in sculpting from his imagination, and began experimenting with sculptural abstraction in the 1920s. These abstract works paved the way for Giacometti to enter the Surrealist movement and meet many of its contributors, including Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and Joan Miró. Giacometti's work with the Surrealists enabled him to achieve some notoriety, as well make contacts and create relationships within the art world. In the mid-1930s, Alberto Giacometti decided to revisit the human form as a subject for his work, effectively ending his involvement with the Surrealist movement. The shift to sculpting humans did not come easy to Giacometti, and when he was dissatisfied with a sculpture he was known to destroy it, or persist in reworking it until almost nothing remained. This obsessive behavior eventually led to human forms that appear thin and emaciated, the very forms for which Giacometti became famous. The bronze in these pieces is rough and the attenuated figures contrast starkly with their environments. This interaction was of utmost important to the artist, who strove to engender awareness of the body and space around it. As time went on, Giacometti's figures increased in scale, and the artist achieved international recognition. Giacometti exhibited in the United States and Europe, winning the prestigious sculpture prize at the Venice Biennale in 1962. His other work includes multiple busts of his brother, Diego, who was his collaborative partner throughout his life.
Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

From $2.56

Six Well Mixing Tray

by Stanrite

Affordable and easy to clean

Up to 30% Off

From $15.96

Abstract Acrylics

by Search Press

New approaches to painting nature with acrylic & mixed media

Up to 32% Off

From $8.49

Getting Started with Charcoal Set

by General's

Great introduction to charcoal drawing!

From $1.69

Zen Series 83 Watercolor Brushes

by Royal & Langnickel

A bold comibnation of softness and strength!
Latest Product Reviews
Best broad edge marker pens available at the absolute best price!
- Jim Bennett in Poughkeepsie, NY
exactly what I was looking for and great service.
- Grandma Sally in Montana
for metal framing, i know of nothing finer than Nielsen Bainbridge. always perfect cuts, easy to use and last a lifetime.
- John E. in Jonesborough TN
Free Download for Kids

Download free coloring book pages Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.

View Pages »