Dimensions: support: 610 x 498 mm frame: 664 x 553 x 74 mm
Copyright: © The Estate of Alberto Giacometti (Fondation Giacometti, Paris and ADAGP, Paris), licensed in the UK by ACS and DACS, London 2014 | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: Before us hangs "Diego," a striking portrait by Alberto Giacometti. Editor: There's such a haunting quality to it, wouldn't you agree? The face seems to emerge from shadows, almost spectral. Curator: Indeed. Giacometti often explored existential themes, and this portrait is exemplary of his style. Think about the social and psychological aftershocks of the war on portraiture. Editor: I'm struck by the halo of light. Is it meant to signify something beyond the earthly plane? Perhaps a symbol of Diego's inner self? Curator: It's interesting that you bring that up. Giacometti's use of light and shadow served a purpose, it reflected a desire to capture the essence of human existence within art. Editor: It feels very personal and raw, and the scale, it's so intimate! Almost as if he wants us to truly see his brother. Curator: Exactly, Giacometti challenges the viewer to confront the complexities and depths within human identity itself. Editor: It all makes sense now, I'm seeing this portrait in a completely different light. Curator: Yes, understanding the historical backdrop undoubtedly enriches our reading.
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Giacometti frequently used his brother Diego as a model. The artist regarded each sitting as a new experience, stating ‘When he poses for me I don’t recognise him’. Nonetheless, his observations deepened over the years and were condensed into images of great intensity, especially in the late 1950s. The dark background of this work increases the looming quality of the head, which is sombre, isolated and perhaps apprehensive. Gallery label, October 2016