In later years, Alberto was given to recounting how in his youth he could draw anything, then suddenly and painfully lost all confidence. Two sketchpads (this one and GS 228) as well as a couple of small sheets from his time studying in Geneva in winter 1919–20 about which little has been known until now, document this loss and the difficulties he encountered at the time.

The drawings – the first nudes, scenes from dance bars and markets – appear curiously lacklustre, even carelessly dilettantish; a few studies of heads are the most convincing. Even the landscapes, including a view of the hamlet of Oschwand where he visited his godfather Cuno Amiet, are no more than a few disjointed lines.

Material

Pencil

Dimensions

16.1 x 10.0 cm

Creditline

Kunsthaus Zürich, Alberto Giacometti-Stiftung, Donated by Bruno and Odette Giacometti, 2000

Object number

GS 227.01-05

Signature

not inscribed

Further information

5 single sheets; taken from GS 255

Provenance