Although best known as a sculptor, Alberto Giacometti was a committed draughtsman. Still lifes such as this one allowed him to focus on objects and explore how they relate to the space around them. The quick, nervous pencil strokes that search out the forms of the flowers contrast with the strong vertical axis that grounds them on the sheet. Giacometti greatly admired Cézanne’s drawings; his exploratory treatment of this still life has affinities with the work of the older artist.

Toninelli Arte, Milan; Giorgio Soavi, Milan; Pieter Coray, Lugano [sticker on verso]; purchased there for a Private collection, Switzerland; sale of that collection at Sotheby's, London, 6 February 2008, lot 219 [invoice in file]; purchased there post-sale by Howard Karshan (1933-2017); Promised gift by Linda Karshan in memory of her husband, Howard Karshan. On long-term loan to The Courtauld Gallery, London.

Modern Drawings: The Karshan Gift, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 19/11/2021-09/01/2022

Alberto Giacometti Drawings, Peter Freeman Gallery, New York, 01/05/2009-27/06/2009 ...More

Modern Drawings: The Karshan Gift, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 20 Nov. 2021 - 9 Jan. 2022
cat. no. 11
Fig. p. pp. 75 (recto), 76 (verso)

Stilleben von Bernard bis Morandi, Kunsthandel Wolfgang Werner, Berlin, 2000
cat. no. 12
Fig. p. repr.

Alberto Giacometti, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, 1989-90
cat. no. 94
p. 278
Fig. p. repr. ...More

Watermark: Watermark: "VIDALON LES ANNONAY B CRAYON ANCIENNE MANUFACTURE CANSON".

Label: Frame, Verso: upper edge, blue and red marker on masking tape: “WOP 219 6-2-08”; left upper edge, black ink printed on white label: “Verso PLEXI DO NOT TAPE”; lower left, black ink printed on white label attached with image of the drawing, attached with blue painter’s tape: “TMP 2012-140.15 / Alberto Giacometti / Bouquet de tulips, 1953 / Pencil, 19 1/8 x 12 ½ in. / (51.5 x 35.5 cm); left centre edge, pen and black ink written on white label, Sotheby’s inv. no.: “3M9XY”; left lower edge, black ink printed on white label: “Alberto GIACOMETTI / Bouquets de tulipes 1953 / crayon sur papier / signé et daté en bu.: Alberto Giacometti 1953. / cm 51.5 x 35.5 / au verso: Nature morte avec pommes (crayon) / Pieter Coray, Montagnola”; lower edge at left, black ink printed on white label: “Sotheby’s / EIMP 40076902 / ID 3M9XY / LOC”; lower edge at right: barcode printed in black on white label; black ink printed on white label attached to wire: “TMP 2012-140.15 / Giacometti, Alberto […]” [can’t read rest as only visible on photographs in file].

Inscription: Recto: lower right, graphite, signed and dated: “Alberto Giacometti / 1953.”. Verso: right centre, graphite, unclear: “a quérin” [?].