Diego Giacometti (Swiss 1902-1985)
Diego Giacometti was born as the son of the painter Giovanni Giacometti and the brother of the sculptor Alberto Giacometti into a famous family of artists, which came from the valley Bergell in the Italian-speaking part of the Switzerland. Diego attended schools in Stampa, Schiers, Sankt Gallen and Basel. He initially learned the profession of trader before he moved to Paris and became the consultant and companion of his brother Alberto in 1925. Diego Giacometti was the closest assistant of his brother, and made plaster casts and frameworks for Alberto's fragile statues and patinated all the bronze sculptures. Furthermore, he posed for his brother every day until the death of Alberto in 1966. During World War II from 1939 until 1945, Diego Giacometti began with his own sculptural works of art. From 1950 he increasingly created furniture and objects, mostly works commissioned by interior designers, art collectors and gallerists. After his brother's death, Diego Giacometti completely concentrated upon his own art, which he sold to friends and acquaintances during his lifetime. His last, big commission made him well known in a wide range of the public. Diego Giacometti was responsible for the décor of the Picasso museum in Paris, which opened in September 1985. The furniture, banisters, metal fittings on the doors and ceiling lamps are works done by the artist. Unfortunately Diego Giacometti died before the opening of the museum. His works of art are highly rated today and make him - the so-called "other Giacometti", who was in his brother's shade for 40 years - an independent artist.