Giacometti exhibition keeps it in the family

For the first time works of all five members of Switzerland's leading artistic family are being exhibited together. The Giacometti exhibition, which opened in Milan on Sunday, includes paintings, sculptures and designs never seen before in public.

For the first time the works of all five members of Switzerland’s leading artistic family are being exhibited together. The Giacometti exhibition, which opened in Milan on Sunday, includes paintings, sculptures and designs which have not been seen in public.

The exhibition at the Antonio Mazzotta Foundation features works by the best-known of the Giacomettis, the painter and sculptor Alberto (1901-1966), his father Giovanni (1868-1933) and father’s cousin Augusto (1877-1947) who were both painters. Also on show are works by Alberto’s brothers, Diego (1902-1985), a designer, and Bruno (born 1903), an architect.

One of its three curators, Chasper Pult, who is also director of the Swiss cultural centre in Milan, says Mazzotta wants it to be the exhibition of the year in Milan.

“The fact that the exhibition starts from the (Bregaglia) home valley of the Giacomettis in canton Graubünden opened many doors for us. Because of our respect for the valley, family members lent us works never previously shown, so there are quite a few sensational discoveries,” Pult said.

The exhibition is in Milan until May 14, and will then move to Mannheim in Germany from May 28 to September 17. Pult said three Swiss museums had hoped to have it after Mannheim.

“After over seven months in Milan and Mannheim the many museums and private collectors who have loaned works were reluctant to extend the loan period,” he said.

“The Giacomettis – the Valley, the World” has been organised with the help of the Swiss arts council, Pro Helvetia.

By Richard Dawson