Artwork
Begräbnis
Begräbnis is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Giovanni Giacometti. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Giaczetti’s 1911 oil painting *Begräbnis* is part of the Kunsthaus Zürich’s collection. Executed during the post‑impressionist period, the work presents a somber scene rendered in muted tones, reflecting the artist’s engagement with early twentieth‑century Swiss modernism.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts a procession of figures arranged in a line across an open field. All are clothed in dark garments and carry dark umbrellas, suggesting a funeral or mourning ritual. Their solemn expressions and the overcast atmosphere convey a collective sense of grief.
Technique & Style
Giaczetti employs oil paint to build a layered, slightly textured surface, allowing the dark palette to unify the composition. The handling of light is restrained; shadows dominate, while the occasional glimpse of trees and a distant building through the umbrellas adds depth without disrupting the overall gloom.
History & Provenance
Created in 1911, *Begräbnis* entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. The painting is among the few surviving works from Giaczetti’s early career, marking his transition toward a more expressive, colour‑saturated approach.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Ulrico Giacometti (7 March 1868 – 25 June 1933) was a Swiss painter. He was the father of artists Alberto and Diego Giacometti and architect Bruno Giacometti.
