Standing Woman c. 1947

This is Alberto Giacometti's bronze sculpture, *Standing Woman*. Giacometti came of age in the interwar period and lived through both World Wars, and like many artists of his time, he was deeply affected by the sense of existential crisis that permeated Europe. In this sculpture, the female form is attenuated, almost impossibly thin, and the surface is rough and pocked, suggesting both fragility and resilience. This aesthetic departs sharply from traditional representations of the female nude that emphasized volume and smoothness, reflecting a mid-century crisis in how people perceived the human body. The figure's towering presence and forward gaze suggests a monumental quality, inviting viewers to contemplate the essence of human existence. Giacometti’s sculptures don’t give us the comfort of a traditional likeness; instead they embody a radical reshaping of conventional forms. The *Standing Woman* gives shape to the experience of alienation and uncertainty that so marked the 20th century, yet she also stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.