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Summary
Summary
Everyone who knew them agreed. Alberto was the genius of the family. His younger brother Diego was his opposite--he didn't care much for books or schoolwork, and he had no idea what he would be when he grew up. But despite their differences, the two brothers shared an intense bond. Alberto Giacometti became one of the iconic artists of the twentieth century, whose tall, spindly sculptures grace the collections of museums around the world. Diego was always at his side, helping and encouraging, and in his spare time creating remarkable pieces of furniture, works of sculpture in their own right. The poignant story of brothers and sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti is skillfully brought to life in the hands of multiple Sibert Honor authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, and the spectacular artwork of Hadley Hooper. This lavishly illustrated 64-page book includes extensive backmatter, complete with a timeline, source notes, photographs, and an essay on how to look at a Giacometti sculpture.
Author Notes
Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan have collaborated on many award-winning children's books about artists, including Action Jackson (Sibert Honor Book), The Mad Potter- George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius (Sibert Honor Book), Ballet for Martha (Sibert Honor Book and Orbis Pictus Award) Christo and Jean-Claude- Through the Gates and Beyond, Meet Cindy Sherman, the recent recipient of five starred reviews. Sandra Jordan lives in New York City. Jan Greenberg lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Greenberg and Jordan (Meet Cindy Sherman) continue their impressive series of artist biographies with an account of 20th-century sculptor Alberto Giacometti and his brother Diego. The two grew up in Switzerland, born only a year apart, Alberto artistic and introspective, Diego adventurous: "One a daredevil, the other a dreamer, they are tied to each other as if by some secret understanding." Alberto's career begins in a Paris studio, and Diego joins him there, first as a model for Alberto, then, during WWII, learning how to cast in bronze. After the war, when Alberto's gaunt, spare figures gain recognition as emblems that "rise up courageously from these ruins," Diego casts and mounts the pieces, occasionally working on "sculptures of animals he stalked as a child." Illustrations by Hooper (Mabel and Sam at Home) exude warmth in expressive black contours, and large planes of colored wash-the blue of Paris at night, the red of war-provide the spreads with moody overtones. Diego and his devotion to his brother emerge as the story's most appealing elements in this fascinating retrospective. Back matter offers a detailed chronology, notes, and photos. Ages 7-10. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Experts at accessibly describing art and exploring the often-complex lives of its creators, Greenberg and Jordan (most recently Meet Cindy Sherman, rev. 11/17) present a picture-book biography of twentieth-century Swiss-born artists Alberto and Diego Giacometti, whose relationship inside and out of the studio is distilled in this volumes title. After struggling for years, sculptor Alberto found fame for his tall, spindly bronze figures such as those in his Walking Man series, while Diego (who later become known for his furniture designs but who considered himself merely a craftsman) tirelessly worked to support his brothers art. The book touches on events in the siblings lives in snapshot-like sections (denoted by dates) that nevertheless provide strong impressions. As children, rough-and-tumble Diego does artistic-dreamer Albertos chores; during WWII, Diego guards their studio in war-torn Paris; as Albertos fame crescendos, Diego builds sculpture bases, labors on patinas, etc., until his picky brother nods approval. The text also offers lyrical descriptions of the artwork itself: Albertos skeletal, lonely figures are survivors. They rise up courageously from these ruins of war; Diego makes furniture so magical that one sees sculpture and forgets its function. Hoopers (The Iridescence of Birds, rev. 11/14) art, in paint and ink and finished digitally, is cohesive yet strikingly dynamic; see the final vignette of the two brothers together casting long, skeletal shadows recalling Albertos famous style. Back matter respectfully guides readers through looking at Walking Man II; photos, source notes, a timeline, and a bibliography are included. katrina Hedeen March/April 2019 p 101(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Born only a year apart in Switzerland in 1901 and 1902, brothers Alberto and Diego Giacometti were as different as can be. While Alberto painted indoors, Diego observed the animals outdoors. Although Alberto may be the more recognizable name in the art world, this picture-book biography reveals how the brothers' unique bond fostered each other's strengths. Told in chronological vignettes, it traces their converging paths as Alberto is accepted by the Surrealists in Paris but eventually abandons their rigid rules, Diego becomes a wanderer, and the two eventually move into a cold, leaky art studio. Greenberg and Jordan's vivid text continues with descriptions of WWII's impact on the brothers and its influence on Alberto's sculpture, particularly his long, lanky figures. What may surprise readers, even those already familiar with Alberto's work, is Diego's dedication to his brother's art, such as building structural bases, as well as Diego's own artistic vision, crafting decorative furniture inspired by nature. Hooper's loosely drawn and colored illustrations are a fine accompaniment to the less-structured forms of both Giacomettis. Observant readers will notice how the shadow of the brothers arm in arm pays tribute to Alberto's style. Concluding thumbnails of the brothers' art, an analysis of Alberto's Walking Man, and other important back matter add further insight. A moving introduction to this creative and symbiotic pair.--Angela Leeper Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Alberto Giacometti is best known for his bronze sculptures: wiry, elongated figures in motion, "survivors [rising] courageously" from the "ruins of war." Lesser known is the work of his brother Diego, whom Alberto took under his wing as an assistant and model; Diego later became an expert in bronze casting and, eventually, a sculptor in his own right. Beginning with the story of their childhood in the Swiss Alps, the authors paint a picture of two very different siblings: one who drew and painted from an early age ("a dreamer") and the other who fearlessly roamed the outdoors ("a daredevil"). Dates as chapter headings record the brothers' lives and development as artists against the backdrop of the 20th century and World War II. While the book's audience may not fully understand the impact of that war, the weariness of those who survived a "Europe in chaos" is clear. Hooper's evocative mixed-media illustrations capture the period in stunning detail. Featuring a strong black line, they bring figures into the foreground in scenes awash in pink, blue, green, or gold. Alberto's belief that "a single human face can give an artist the subject matter to fill a lifetime" is illustrated with nine sculptural images of Diego-each from a different angle-and the artist warily looking over his shoulder at his creations. Endnotes and a close examination of Giacometti's iconic Walking Man-its line, form, texture, and color-offers readers a way to think and talk about art and a greater appreciation of the work. VERDICT Don't miss this moving, brilliantly illustrated picture book portrait of brothers in art.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Readers meet two Swiss sculptors, brothers born a year apart, whose intertwined artistic lives spanned most of the 20th century and two world wars.Multiaward-winning team Greenberg and Jordan are best known for their astonishing ability to decode and explore sophisticated artists and movements: abstraction (Action Jackson, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker, 2002), modern dance (Ballet for Martha, illustrated by Brian Floca, 2010), and art photography (Meet Cindy Sherman, 2017). Here they turn to the Giacometti brothers, born at the turn of the 20th century. The older, Alberto, was pronounced a "genius" by his family. Art academy- and studio-trained, driven to make sculpture like his hero, Rodin, he eventually found his way to Paris. The simple dual biography explains how the family dynamic required that his sometimes-unfocused younger brother, Diego, join him there. Spare text describes how Diego became a skilled, sensitive metal worker, beginning as Alberto's invaluable studio assistant and becoming Alberto's true, artistic amanuensis. Hooper's low-key, child-friendly details keep readers turning the pages. Ingenious scratchy, angular lines echo the wire models Diego fashioned to support Alberto's striking and evocative original clay figures (most were later cast in bronze). She overlays the lines on broad, patchworked areas of serigraphlike spreads, offering effective, emotional undertones to the action of the text and the tenor of the times. Backmatter includes a focus on Alberto's iconic, tensile, postwar masterpiece, Walking Man.An extraordinary achievement and a moving, affecting evocation of two lives lived together. (illustrated timeline, notes, photographs, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 7-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
