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The focus of this exhibition is Giovanni Giacometti's (1868-1933) treatment of light. Be it luminous daylight, obscure twilight, or the dark of night broken by the radiance of the moon or the artificial glow of lanterns or lamps - light is constantly a constitutive element in the compositions of this artist. In some of his letters he mentioned the pivotal significance that it had for his painting. He wrote that his aim was to "penetrate the essence of coloured light", and he stated that "the fight to capture light" was purely and simply "the driving force" behind his work. Giacometti strived to render changing light conditions and intensify the impact of light and colour by means of juxtaposing brushstrokes or dabs of pure, often complementary colours. His artistic goal was ruled by the deep conviction that "for the painter everything exists by virtue of light".
Bathed in Glittering Light
Giacometti succeeded repeatedly in capturing the magnificent atmosphere pervading the alpine world and created artworks that impress with their brilliant coloristic force. He fascinates his viewers by bathing the mountains and landscape panoramas of Bergell and Maloja - where he had his summer studio - in glittering light. Besides landscapes, the exhibition also shows admirable portraits of his family - evidencing blissful family life in Bergell - and of well-known people who were close to him.
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Giovanni Giacometti
Fanciulli al sole, 1910
Öl auf Leinwand
91.3 x 100 cm
Depositum der Gottfried Keller-
Stiftung / Kunstmuseum Bern,
Schenkung Stiftung
Gemäldesammlung Emil
Bretschger
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A Painter of International Stature
Giovanni Giacometti made a significant contribution to innovation in early 20th-century Swiss painting. In 1891 after having studied in Munich and Paris, Giovanni Giacometti returned to Stampa in Bergell where he developed his outstanding style of painting. Becoming acquainted with Cuno Amiet in Munich, they remained bound by a close, longstanding friendship. Giacometti was a great admirer of his early mentor Giovanni Segantini, a landscape painter of alpine scenes. His own artistic reputation was often, undeservedly, overshadowed by that of his ingenious son, the sculptor Alberto. It is an undisputed fact that Giacometti reigns among the leading Swiss artists who, between Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Fauvism, assimilated and further developed the fundamental innovations of modernism.
The Series of Great Swiss Artists
After starring Amiet (Cuno Amiet - from Pont Aven to Die Brücke, 2000), Anker (Albert Anker and Paris, 2003), Felix Valloton (Sunsets, 2004/2005), and Ferdinand Hodler (A Symbolist Vision, 2008), with this exhibition the Kunstmuseum Bern continues its series of Great Swiss Artists.
Curators: Therese Bhattacharya-Stettler (Kunstmuseum Bern), Beat Stutzer (Bündner Kunstmuseum Chur)
> Special events in the context of the exhibition
The Exhibtion
Opening
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 18h30
Duration
30.10.2009 - 21.02.2010
Entrance Fee
CHF 16.- / red. CHF 12.-
RailAway-Offer
 Benefit from 10% savings on train tickets, transfer and entrance fee. The RailAway-Offer is available at all train stations and at the Rail Service on 0900 300 300 (CHF 1.19/min). More information: www.sbb.ch/ausstellungen
Opening Times
Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Holidays
Thursday, December 24, 2009: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, December 25, 2009: closed
Thursday, December 31, 2009: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, January 1, 2010: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, January 2, 2010: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Guided Tours for Groups
T + 41 31 328 09 11, F + 41 31 328 09 10,
vermittlung@kunstmuseumbern.ch
Further Venue
Bündner Kunstmuseum, Chur
Curator: Beat Stutzer
März 27 – May 24, 2010
The Catalogue (in German)
Giovanni Giacometti – Farbe im Licht. Hrsg. Therese Bhattacharya Stettler, Beat Stutzer, Matthias Frehner. Mit Textbeiträgen von Viola Radlach, Beat Stutzer, Therese Bhattacharya-Stettler, Matthias Frehner. Ca. 140 Abbildungen, ca. 220 Seiten. Erscheint bei Scheidegger und Spiess, Zürich.
CHF 49.-*
The Poster
Size F4 (89,5 x 128 cm)
CHF 20.-*
The calendar
12 sheets
CHF 34.-
* all prices excl. postal fees / shippping fees, incl. MWST
You may order the products by e-mail shop@kunstmuseumbern.ch or visit our shop at the Kunstmuseum Bern. If you have any questions concerning the products on this site please do not hesitate to contact us: T +41 (0)31 328 09 44.
With the support of:
 > Factsheet Culture Credit Suisse (pdf)
Hans Imholz Stiftung
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