Alberto Giacometti is considered perhaps the most outstanding modern sculptor. In any case, his work at auctions sold at breathtaking prices. Much influenced the search for their own style in art. One of the powerful impressions - during the Second World War he ended up in the bombed Longjumeau (French: Longjumeau) and there he came across a bloodied thin female arm torn off by an explosion
During a trip to Italy at the age of 19, his young companion suddenly died before Alberto's eyes. Since then, thoughts about the fragility of life and the inevitability of death have not left Giacometti. After this incident, he slept only with the lights on.
The beginning of the biography
Alberto Giacometti was born on October 10, 1901 (he died on January 11, 1966). His homeland is the small village of Borgonovo in the then-existing municipality of Stamp, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
Giovanni and Annette Giacometti, 1925-1931
He was the eldest of four children of the Swiss painter Giovanni Giacometti (1868-1933) and Annette Giacometti-Stampa (1871-1964). Three brothers grew up in a creative environment and subsequently they all connected their lives with art. Diego Giacometti (1902-1985) became a designer and sculptor. Bruno Giacometti (1907-2012) - architect. He was one of the most famous architects after World War II in Switzerland. Bruno lived a very long life, died in the 105th year of his life. Their sister Ottilie died after giving birth to a son at the age of 33.
A family. Giovanni and Annette Giacometti with children.
The path of Alberto Giacometti in creativity
The most talented of the children was Alberto Giacometti. From childhood, he loved to draw and sculpt sculptures and quickly realized that he was talented. His models were close, but most often for many years, the younger brother of Diego.
In 1919-1920, Alberto studied at the Geneva School of Fine Arts, and then went to Italy. He sought to comprehend and understand what he saw around him. He discovered that he could not reproduce reality in its traditional form in his works. It seemed to him that people are huge externally and internally, and the way they are usually portrayed is not able to reflect this.
After Italy, he entered the Academy of Fine Arts de la Grand Chaumiere in Paris. His teacher in sculpture was Auguste Rodin's student - Emile Antoine Bourdelle.
Giacometti did not want to follow the traditional canons based on antiquity, and painfully searched for his own path in creativity. In Paris, he discovered modernism, cubism, surrealism, African art and the art of the peoples of Oceania. This confirmed his unwillingness to create in the European tradition. He believed that the planar image that is inherent in these cultures is closest to reality. Indeed, when they look at a person, they see only one side of him and do not know what is behind him. He creates portraits as a mask, as a plane. He begins to make cubist sculptures in which human figures are guessed.
In the end, Alberto Giacometti radically rethought the idea of sculpture and achieved his goal - he found his visual style. The figures of his work lengthened and incredibly thin. With such unusual proportions, the sculptor seemed to emphasize the fragility and defenselessness of living beings.
Giacometti's workshop was in the Montparnasse district of Paris. He worked in it for about 40 years. Although the room was small, only 20 square meters, and uncomfortable, he did not want to move anywhere even when he could afford it financially. He was a fanatical workaholic and indifferent to the blessings of the world. He did not monitor his health, ate poorly, smoked and visited establishments with women of easy virtue.
Personal life
Giacometti met his future wife, 20-year-old Annette Arm, in Geneva, where he lived in World War II. They had no children. In his youth, Alberto suffered from a disease that made him childless.
Annette and brother Diego were constant and dedicated models. The brother not only posed for Alberto, but was also his best friend, support and assistant.
Alberto Gcometti and his wife Annette, 1954
Alberto Giacometti died on January 11, 1966 in the Swiss city of Chur. He did not leave a will, and his entire inheritance passed entirely to his wife. Neither the brother nor the girl, whom he dearly loved in the last years of his life, got anything.
Alberto Giacometti's work breaks records at auctions
Alberto Giacometti managed to gain recognition during his lifetime. However, the fabulous money of his work began to bring after death. So, in 2010, his sculpture "Walking Man" with lightning speed - in just 8 minutes of bidding - was sold at Sotheby's for $ 103.9 million.
Alberto Giacometti, Walking Man
In 2015, another sculpture - "Pointing Man" set a new price record. It was purchased for $ 141.7 million at auction at Christie's.
Alberto Giacometti, "Pointing Man"
But not only the sculptures of Giacometti have a stunning success. In 2013, Christie's auction house sold the painting "Diego in a Plaid Shirt" - a portrait of his younger brother, friend and assistant, painted in 1954.
Alberto Giacometti, Diego in a Plaid Shirt
In 2014, the bronze sculpture "Chariot" was sold for $ 101 million.
Alberto Giacometti, "Chariot"
Alberto Giacometti on a bill and in fakes
The commercial success of the work of Giacometti haunted some envious. So, from the 1980s, his works began to be faked by the Dutch artist Robert Dreissen. Fakes under the guise of originals have long been in demand.
The creativity of the great sculptor is tightly connected with money another facet. Since 1996, a 100-franc note with the image of Alberto Giacometti and his sculptures has been issued in Switzerland.
100 Swiss pounds
