Who painted Sommernachmittag?

Sommernachmittag was painted by Giovanni Giacometti in 1903.

Where can I see Sommernachmittag?

Sommernachmittag is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

What movement is Sommernachmittag?

Sommernachmittag is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

Sommernachmittag

Giovanni Giacometti , 1903

Sommernachmittag is an unspecified painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Giovanni Giacometti. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1903, *Sommernachmittag* is an oil painting by Swiss artist Giovanni Giacometti. Executed during his post‑impressionist phase, the work is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. It presents an outdoor summer scene rendered with the artist’s distinctive handling of light and colour, inviting a quiet contemplation of everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a woman in a white shirt cradling a child beneath a leafy tree, while a man in a dark coat and hat stands nearby. The verdant grass and sun‑lit yellow ground convey a warm, leisurely afternoon. The figures’ relaxed posture and the tranquil setting suggest themes of familial intimacy and the simple pleasures of rural leisure.

Technique & Style

Giacometti employs a post‑impressionist palette, juxtaposing vivid yellows and deep greens to model space and atmosphere. Brushwork varies from soft, blended areas in the sky to more textured strokes on the foliage, creating a sense of depth. Light is rendered through subtle tonal shifts, allowing the tree’s branches to reach upward and the figures to emerge from the surrounding landscape.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Giovanni Giacometti, known for his contributions to Swiss modernism and as the father of sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti, produced *Sommernachmittag* during a period of increasing recognition within European artistic circles.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni Giacometti

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.