The bust was created by casting the initial clay model using a two-part negative plaster mould (lost mould). Subsequently, Giacometti further worked the surface by adding and removing plaster.The artist signed the plaster in red on the back left using a brush: ‘Alberto Giacometti’; below this in black: ‘PLATRE original’.

From 1960/61, the plaster served as a template for bronze casts using lost wax casting. In the foundry, the work was coated with yellow-brown sealant and a release agent prior to the making of the gelatine mould.

Material

Plaster, coated with sealant and release agent

Dimensions

40.8 x 33.7 x 13.4 cm

Creditline

Kunsthaus Zürich, Alberto Giacometti-Stiftung, Donated by Bruno and Odette Giacometti, 2006

Object number

GS 328

Signature

inscr. on the back, left in red: Alberto Giacometti; on the back, at the bottom in black: PLATRE / original

Provenance

• Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft | Kunsthaus Zürich (Museum), ab 2006, Leihgabe
• Alberto Giacometti-Stiftung (Sammlung), 2006, Geschenk
• Bruno und Odette Giacometti, Nachlass
• Alberto Giacometti