This book looks at a refined selection of drawings by Alberto Giacometti and examines them against more than one hundred letters exchanged between Giacometti and his parents, the majority of which have not previously been published. The choice of drawings and the selected correspondence illuminate important aspects of the development of Giacometti’s work over five decades of his life. Patrick de Vries also examines Alberto Giacometti’s friendships with important artists who were his contemporaries, such as Pablo Picasso, Francis Gruber, Balthus, and Tal-Coat. He examines the artists’ views of each other and the links and dissimilarities in their work. Discussions between Giacometti and his friend, the Japanese philosopher Isaku Yanaihara, reveal interesting insights into the, rarely discussed, subject of Giacometti’s fascination with East Asian Art.

ALBERTO GIACOMETTI (1901–1966) was one of the twentieth century’s most important sculptors. The work by the Swiss painter, sculptor, and printmaker was influenced by Cubism, and Surrealism. His best-known pieces are the the tall and long bronze sculptures made after the Second World War.

ALBERTO GIACOMETTI (1901–1966) was one of the twentieth century’s most important sculptors. The work by the Swiss painter, sculptor, and printmaker was influenced by Cubism, and Surrealism. His best-known pieces are the the tall and long bronze sculptures made after the Second World War.