Seated Man
- Artist: Alberto Giacometti
- Date: 1949
- Medium: Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions: support: 800 x 540 mm
- Museum: Tate Modern
- Collection record: Tate Modern website
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About this artwork
This is the “Seated Man” by Alberto Giacometti, an oil on canvas from 1949. The painting shows his brother Diego, a frequent model and close companion, seated with his legs crossed and head turned slightly. Giacometti approached portraits like his sculptures—careful, meticulous observation and continual re‑working of the image to capture shifting visual impressions. He once said, “When he poses for me I don’t recognise him,” highlighting how even a familiar face becomes a new subject each time. The canvas measures about 80 by 54 centimeters, a modest size that focuses attention on the figure’s posture and expression. Purchased directly from the artist in 1949, the work reflects Giacometti’s mid‑century style, where the human figure is distilled to its essential lines and subtle emotion. It’s a striking example of how a simple pose can reveal deep layers of perception and intimacy.
See it in person
Seated Man is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
