The City Square 1948 - 1949

Alberto Giacometti made "The City Square" using bronze in the middle of the 20th century, a period marked by the rise of existentialism. During and after the Second World War, there was widespread questioning of human existence and purpose. Giacometti's figures, with their attenuated forms and rough surfaces, became metaphors for the anxieties of the modern human condition. The figures appear isolated, alienated, and deeply introspective, prompting reflection on the nature of human relationships in an increasingly impersonal world. Giacometti once said that his goal was "to capture not just the physical likeness but the very essence of a human being." The emotional impact of these figures is profound, evoking feelings of empathy, loneliness, and the search for meaning. "The City Square" encourages us to think about the complexities of human interaction and our individual places within the collective experience of modern life.