Giacometti: A Biography by James LordMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
"Giacometti is not working for his contemporaries, nor for the future generations: he is creating statues to at last delight the dead". - Jean Genet. The Studio of Alberto Giacometti
A fascinating look at an odd but very talented man, as well as into the life of an artist in Paris during the 1930's, 40's, 50's and 60s.
Giacometti these days would have been diagnosed with severe OCD and likely put on some sort of medication, which probably would have done wonders in terms of rendering his life more "normal", but would have deprived us of his art. Actually, he probably would have refused the medication regardless.
The author seems very knowledgable (almost suspiciously so) of the comings, goings, inner thoughts and private actions not only of Alberto, but those close to him. There are some odd lacunas, such as stating that Caroline's real last name "does not matter", but regardless, I doubt anyone else could have give us as much information about this man and his family. Oddly missing was any reference to the author himself, despite having had a portrait made of himself (and a photo of him and the artist on the back cover). I can't help but wonder how he fits into Alberto's story.
Also missing was further mention of Hans Bechtler, aside from being a Swiss who decided not to buy Giacometti's work. I live in Charlotte, where the Bechtler museum is chock full of Giacometti works, so I assume he changed his mind at some point and brought the works to North Carolina for some reason.
In fact, I would have appreciated quite a bit more follow-up information. What happened to Annette? To Caroline? To the brother(s)? Did they have issues due to his dying intestate?
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