The war separates them temporarily. At that moment their art takes very different directions. While Alberto expresses existentialism by relying on surrealism, Diego does not leave decoration and realism. He meets the desires of his customers with his nice and humorous themes where animal figures come to perch on the struts or to huddle in the table legs.
Circa 1978, twelve years after the death of Alberto, Diego designs and executes for a customer a bronze table in the shape of a regular octagon 170 cm wide. The top is carried by eight legs in front of which the artist dispositions in the extension of each horizontal bar a standing figure in the threadlike style of Alberto.
This late synthesis of the art of the Giacometti brothers is scarce and unexpected. The table was sold for $ 3.8M including premium by Sotheby's on November 15, 2016 over a lower estimate of $ 300K.
In 1970 Hubert de Givenchy is seduced by the simple and effective creations by Diego with which he will populate his manor. The collection of the works executed by Diego for Givenchy is dispersed by Christie's in Paris on March 6.
This set includes three examples in bronze and wood of the octagonal table "aux caryatides et atlantes". A table 162 cm in diameter made circa 1980 is estimated € 600K, lot 16. Two tables 190 cm in diameter were made circa 1983. Each of them is estimated € 800K, lot 7 and lot 11.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM
Lot 16 (1980) : € 4.2M
Lot 7 (1983) : € 3.8M
Lot 11 (1983) : € 3.3M
Bel article de @judithbenhamou sur la vente #Giacometti d’ #HubertdeGivenchy chez @christiesparis dans @LesEchos https://t.co/SnKTGbFb2a
— Christie's Paris (@christiesparis) February 17, 2017