Artwork
Hochsommer
Hochsommer is an oil painting by Augusto Giacometti. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Painted in 1917, Hochsommer is an oil-on-canvas work by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti. It resides in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it is recognized as part of the museum’s early 20th-century Swiss art holdings. The piece reflects Giacometti’s engagement with decorative and symbolic approaches to landscape during the post-impressionist era.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a lush, sun-drenched summer landscape, likely inspired by the Swiss countryside. Rather than capturing a specific location, Giacometti emphasizes the atmosphere of high summer through saturated hues and rhythmic patterns of foliage. The scene evokes a sense of quiet abundance, conveying seasonal harmony without narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Giacometti employed thick, textured brushwork and a heightened palette to convey the intensity of midsummer light. Forms are simplified into flowing, almost mosaic-like shapes, suggesting influences from Art Nouveau and Symbolism. The composition avoids perspective depth, favoring a flattened, ornamental structure that prioritizes emotional tone over realism.
History & Provenance
Created during World War I, the painting was acquired by the Kunsthaus Zürich shortly after its completion. Its preservation in the museum’s collection reflects early institutional interest in Swiss modernists who blended decorative sensibilities with natural themes. No significant changes in ownership are documented prior to its institutional acquisition.
Context
Hochsommer emerged during a period when Swiss artists were redefining national identity through landscape, distancing from German academic traditions. Giacometti’s approach aligned with contemporaries who sought spiritual or emotional resonance in nature, using color and pattern to express inner states rather than topographical accuracy.
Legacy
Though not widely exhibited outside Switzerland, Hochsommer remains a representative example of Giacometti’s mature style. It contributes to scholarly understanding of how Swiss modernism absorbed international trends while maintaining a distinct, introspective character in its treatment of nature.
Artist & collection
Artist
Augusto Giacometti was a Swiss painter from Stampa, Grisons, cousin of Giovanni Giacometti who was the father of Alberto, Diego and Bruno Giacometti.
