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.
