Diego Giacometti

Diego Giacometti was born in Switzerland in 1902. His father was the painter Giovanni Giacometti, and his brothers were Alberto Giacometti and Bruno Giacometti. He grew up in a protected, warm and family-orientated atmosphere, surrounded by animals.

At the age of 25, following his studies in Basel and St. Gallen, Diego joined his brother Alberto in Paris, where he worked with him until his death in 1966.

During the Second World War, Diego created his first animal sculptures, depicting cats, foxes, horses, dogs, ostriches, mice, frogs and lions. This cheerful bestiary decorated his consoles, chairs, desks, bookcases, pedestal tables and lamps. His skill in creating animal forms, inspired by historic designs, earned him his excellent reputation.

Settled in his workshop on rue du Moulin Vert until his death, he created many elegant bespoke furniture pieces for clients and friends such as Raoul Lévy, Aimé Maeght, Paul Mellon and the Rothschild family.

After Alberto Giacometti's death in 1966, Diego redoubled his efforts and created numerous pieces for clients such as Georges Geffroy, Henri Samuel and Pierre Barbe. He created the furniture for the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the Marc-Chagall Museum in Nice, and his most famous commission, the Picasso Museum in the Hôtel Salé in Paris.

Diego Giacometti died in July 1985.