Sothebys : (English) Diego Giacometti Auction at Sotheby's Paris on Wednesday 17 May

Press release Paris

33 (0)1 53 05 53 66 | Sophie Dufresne | sophie.dufresne@sothebys.com

33 (0)1 53 05 52 32 | Chloé Brézet | chloe.brezet@sothebys.com

DIEGO GIACOMETTI

Auction at Sotheby's Paris on Wednesday 17 May

Paris, April 2017 - After the enchanting world of the Lalannes in 2015 and the delicate glass pieces by Emile Gallé in 2016, Sotheby's is devoting an evening sale to Diego Giacometti (1902-1985) on Wednesday 17 May, at 7 p.m. This auction of thirty works will follow the regular Spring Design auction. It will have a separate catalogue with an introduction by art historian Diana Widmaier Picasso, who acclaims this tribute sale as follows "The sale staged by Sotheby's highlights a large selection of works commissioned from the artist, like La Promenade des amis, the table with frogs and

birds, the firedogs with stars, the pedestal table with harpies, a pair of wall lamps with owls and the "Carcasse" table. I am sure the beauty and purity of all these works, imbued with Diego Giacometti's humanity and powerful imagination, will find a fresh resonance with many collectors throughout the world."

Registration No. 2001 - 002 of 25 October 2001 Sale conducted by Cécile Verdier

Diego Giacometti is now very much in the limelight. The Giacometti brothers, who were extremely close, worked for years in the same studio. The younger posed for the elder, prepared his plasters and combined his talent with Alberto's to produce a variety of works, particularly for Jean-Michel Frank. Assistant, model and confidant, Diego was Alberto's alter ego. His own career only began to blossom during the 1960s, after the sculptor died. As

craftsman-sculptor, Diego developed a passion for creating furniture, his magician's fingers giving life to chairs, tables, consoles and lamps featuring a whole fauna of frogs, mice, stags, foxes, dogs, cats and ostriches. These delightfully humorous animals - sometimes poised to leap, sometimes quiet and at peace - bring a touch of poetry to everyday life.

Diego's works are a fascinating counterpoint to those of the existentialist artist Alberto, whose elongated, tremulous figures are heavily riveted to their bases: elements as fundamental as the sculptures themselves. With Diego, every piece is light and airy. Florent Jeanniard, specialist in Design, said: "Inspired by a poetic impulse, Diego Giacometti diverts the primary function of furniture and transfigures it through a playful bestiary. His pieces are no longer purely utilitarian, but achieve the rank of art works."

*Estimates do not include the buyer's premium, and prices consist of the hammer price and the buyer's premium

All the catalogues can be viewed online at www.sothebys.com or on the Sotheby's Catalogue iPad app

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Guéridon aux harpies, circa 1970 Bronze and glass

Estimate : 70.000 - 100.000 €

Table Carcasse à la chauve-souris, circa 1970 Patinated bronze and glass

Estimate : 200.000-300.000 €

Table Feuilles aux oiseaux et grenouilles, circa 1980 Patinated bronze and glass

Estimate : 150.000-200.000 €

Paire de chaises, 1983

Patinated bronze, iron and original leather Estimate : 100.000 - 150.000 €