Contextual Studies

Boccioni and Giacometti Visual Analysis

Laura Sanders

Malcolm Mosley

535 Words

Umberto Boccioni’s “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space” 1913, consists of a bronze sculpture of a figure in motion. This free standing sculpture size, 111.2 x 88.5 x 40cm, is not scaled to adult size but more of the size of a five year old child.

Even though abstract, it is clear that the shapes represent a human striding forward. The human has no arms and even though its body and head are smaller than the legs when viewed as a whole it creates this powerful muscled look to it.  The abnormally large legs, the main feature of the sculpture, emphasize the strength and power of the figure’s stride. Triangular like shapes jut out of its legs giving the impression of speed, as if the human is moving too fast it is blurred.

There is a repetitive texture and shape to the sculpture. Some areas are smooth but then finish with sharp unexpected edges. This warped metal could be seen as folds in cloth as the figure battles against a wind. I think however the shapes, such as the indistinguishable head, look more like amour from a medieval period. There is almost a natural, pure element to it, possibly because of the bronze coating. The shapes and composition are almost super human. A possible religious point of view could be that the sculpture may represent an angel or god.

Alberto Giacometti’s “La Foret” 1950, is a collection of bronze sculptures; seven lean female figures accompanied by a man’s bust. The work refers to Giacometti’s childhood memory of the woods around his hometown of Stampa, "The Composition with Seven Figures and a Head reminded me of the corner of a forest, seen over many years during my childhood, where trees with naked slender trunks (limbless almost to their tops and behind which there were granite boulders) had always seemed to me like people stopped in their tracks and talking amongst themselves"

“La Foret” has a rough texture to it unlike “Unique forms of continuity in space” which is smooth and shiny.  I think Giacometti’s work focuses more on shadows whereas Boccioni is more on the light as it reflects onto the bronze figure. It was suggested that the countryside of Stampa with gnarled trees seems to be reflected in “La Foret”. The figures do appear like trees in a forest, unequal distances apart, randomly placed and consisting of different heights but repetitive and appearing almost identical to each other. Boccioni’s sculpture had a particular narrative to it, i.e. the figure in motion moving towards something, whereas Giacometti’s are stationary like trees therefore less obvious. 

Possible other meanings behind “La Foret” is about women and men’s controversy during that period. Giacometti commented, "When I am walking in the street and see a whore from a distance, all dressed, I see a whore. When she is in the room and naked before me, I see a goddess". The use of the word goddess changes the man bust as instead of just an onlooker, he may be looking up at these seven women as goddess’. This is a common representation as Boccioni’s “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space” is the solitary yet majestic figure possibly preserved as a god.