Alberto Giacometti was a painter, printmaker and furniture designer but he is best known as one of the 20th century’s most important sculptors. He is revered for the elongated, slender human figures he created in the years following World War II that reflected existentialism and the trauma associated with the conflict.
Giacometti was born in Borgonovo, Switzerland, in 1901 to a creative family. His father Giovanni was a Post-Impressionist painter, his godfather Cuno Amiet was a Fauvist painter, his brother Bruno was an architect, and his other brother Diego was an artist and furniture designer who also served as Giacometti’s model. (The sculptor worked chiefly with models plucked from his personal life.)
Beginning in 1922, Giacometti studied at the Académie de la Grande-Chaumière in Paris and was influenced by the Cubist work of Alexander Archipenko, Raymond Duchamp-Villon and the post-Cubist sculptures of Jacques Lipchitz and Henri Laurens.
During the 1930s, Giacometti designed furniture such as lamps, vases and wall décor to earn a living, often collaborating with interior designer Jean-Michel Frank, whose interiors tastefully mixed extravagance with sophisticated simplicity. However, Giacometti’s passion lay in creating sculptures.
Alberto and his brother Diego left Paris in 1940 to escape the Nazi invasion and spent time in the South of France before fleeing to Geneva, remaining there until 1946. In 1947, Giacometti began work on his most famous sculptures — very tall and thin figurines that came to be associated with frailty and loneliness.
Giacometti catapulted to fame in the United States following two exhibitions of his sculptures in 1948 and 1950 at the Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York City — Jean-Paul Sartre authored the catalogue essay for the latter. In 1961, Giacometti’s friend, Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, asked him to design the set for a re-staging of his play “Waiting for Godot.” His response took on the form of a single plaster tree.
In 1962, Giacometti won the grand prize for sculpture at the Venice Biennale, and for much of the rest of his career, he created modern paintings, drawings and sculptures of plaster, clay and bronze in his small Paris studio. He died in 1966.
Giacometti’s works continue to enthrall collectors. In 2010, his life-size bronze sculpture L'Homme qui marche (“the man who walks”), which now adorns the 100 Swiss Franc banknote, became one of the most expensive sculptures to be sold at auction.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Alberto Giacometti wall decorations, prints and sculptures.
Versace Fall Winter 2003 Ruched Asymmetric Dress
By Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Alberto Giacometti
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
A beautiful example of early 2000s Versace under Donatella, this black bodycon dress from the Fall Winter 2003 collection is crafted in a highly stretchy fabric that molds elegantly ...
Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Sequin runway evening gown with Swarovski crystal embellished sun cape. Neckline presents a sharp daring plunge to the navel. Th...
Roberto Cavalli Vibrant Black Sequin & Beaded Evening Gown F/W 2008 Size 42IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Vibrant black sequin evening gown. Dramatic, colorful and fun best describes this gown. The upper part of the dress is sheer with black sequin overlay. The fit is ...
New Alexander McQueen F/W 2015 Wool Dress $2425 Sz IT 46
By Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New Without Tags Alexander McQueen Heavy Weight Virgin Wool Dress Black Silver and Marigold Embroidered Floral Pattern at Hem $2425 Size: IT 46 The Belt on the Runway is an ...
$1,995Sale Price|24% Off
Size: FR38
New Yves Saint Laurent YSL F/W 2009 Runway Wool Lurex Dress Sz FR38 With Tags
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Fall Winter 2009 Brand New With Tags $2650 Butter Soft Runway Wool Lurex Dress FR38 Charcoal & Metallic Lurex Zips Up the Back Hook and Eye Neck Fully Lined...
$1,338Sale Price|55% Off
Size: Italian Sz 40
New Gucci 90th Anniversary Ad Runway Video Silk Dress F/W 2011 Sz 40
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Fall/Winter 2011 From Gucci's 90th anniversary Fall Runway show, Frida Giannini cited her influence was Anjelica Huston Brand New $3975 As Seen on Game of Throne Star Natalie Dormer Stunning Runway Silk Dress Italian Sz 40 Black and White Silk Dress...
Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s.
By Calvin Klein
Located in New York, NY
Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s. Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress featuring low cut V-ncekline and shoulder pads. Beautiful Lace hem extends past chiffon linin...
New Badgley Mischka Silk Evening Dress Gown Sz 6
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Conroe, TX
Badgley Mischka Gown Brand New with Tags Size: 6 Shell: 100% Silk Ruffled Front Bodice Jeweled Front Flowing Back Train Side Zipper and Hook Closure Lining: 100% Polyester Midnight B...
Bob Mackie Vintage Elegant Black and Nude Velvet and Lace Evening Gown Size 4
By Bob Mackie
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Bob Mackie - Timeless and elegant best describes this black velvet evening gown with nude and black lace inlay. Beautifully constructed and aged as gracefully as the design. This gown is formfitting with long sleeves and a back zipper for a secure fit. The lace design is unique in that it appears to have a high gloss wet look and is embellished with black crystals throughout. The finishing touch is a large crystal broach...
Thierry Mugler Strapless Black Satin Gown, c.1980s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in New York, NY
Thierry Mugler Strapless Black Satin Gown, c.1980s Thierry Mugler Strapless Black Satin Gown featuring asymmetrical, gathered corseted bodice with rhi...
$13,200Sale Price|20% Off
Size: M
Roberto Cavalli Vintage Gold & Black Lace Evening Gown Dress S/S 2001 Size M
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli Vintage Runway - Gold & Black Lace Evening Gown Dress Spring/Summer 2001 Size Medium
New Badgley Mischka Silk Evening Dress Gown Sz 4
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Conroe, TX
Badgley Mischka Gown Brand New with Tags Size: 4 Shell: 100% Silk Ruffled Front Bodice Jeweled Front Flowing Back Train Side Zipper and Hook Closure Lining: 100% Polyester Midnight B...
Roberto Cavalli Palm Trees & Turquoise Water Evening Gown S/S 2006 Sz 40IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Evening gown inspired by tropical palm trees and turquoise blue sparkling ocean water. Dramatic in color and design brings nostalgic thoughts of an escape to a tro...