Giacometti: A Biography

by James Lord

Overview

The work of one of the towering creative spirits of the century, Alberto Giacometti's visionary sculptures and paintings from a testament to the artist's intriguing life story. From modest beginnings in a Swiss village, Giacometti went on to flourish in the picturesque milieu of prewar Paris and then to achieve international acclaim in the fifties and sixties. Picasso, Balthus, Samuel Beckett, Stravinsky and Sartre have parts in his story, along with flamboyant art dealers, whores, shady drifters, unscrupulous collectors, poets and thieves. Women were a complex yet important element of his life--particularly his wife, Annette, and his last mistress and model, Caroline--as was the intimate relationship he shared with his brother Diego, who was both Alberto's confidant and collaborator.

James Lord was personally acquainted with Giacometti and his entourage, and combines firsthand experience with a unique knowledge gathered during many years of observation and research. In this exceptional biography Lord unfolds the personal history of a man who managed to achieve a heroic destiny by remaining utterly true to himself and to his calling.

Giacometti: A Biography was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. James Lord has subsequently published three volumes of memoirs. In recognition of his contribution to French culture he has been made an officer of the Legion of Honour.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466815124
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	10/30/1997
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	575
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

James Lord first went to France at age twenty-one as a member of the Military Intelligence Service during World War II. Since then he has spent the major part of his life in Paris, where he has been acquainted with many of the most prominent members of modern European art. In recognition of his contribution to French culture he has been made an officer of the Legion of Honour.

James Lord (1922-2009) first went to France at age twenty-one as a member of the Military Intelligence Service during World War II. He spent the major part of his life in Paris, where he was acquainted with many of the most prominent members of modern European art. In recognition of his contribution to French culture he has been made an officer of the Legion of Honour. His books include A Giacometti Portrait and My Queer War.

Editorial Reviews

The Swiss-born painter and sculptor is placed alongside Beckett, Sartre, drifters, prostitutes and others in following his triumphant postwar career. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly