Alberto Giacometti

Jacques Dubourg, Paris

Walter Feichenfeldt, Zurich

Private Collection, Portugal

Marlborough Fine Art Ltd., London

Galleria Tega, Milan

Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Attractive dark brown modulated with green patina. There is some minor wear to the patina on the back of the neck and head consistent with handling. This work is in overall very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Dr. Theodore Fraenkel was for thirty years one of Giacometti’s closest friends and also his physician: 'Fraenkel was exceptionally timid, and would sometimes sit for hours without uttering one word. Alberto gave him confidence, drew him out, enabled him to become expansive and talk about himself. The tonic effect was the basis of the friendship between the artist and the doctor, who was more than ready to repay the kindness with advice and medicine when necessary, which was rather often.  Despite Fraenkel’s failure in 1930 to have diagnosed an obvious case of appendicitis, Alberto continued to believe in his competence and proclaimed him the very best doctor in Paris. A perceptive observer might have concluded that such enthusiasm on Alberto’s part could suggest that he was one of the worst!' (James Lord, Giacometti, A Biography, New York, 1983, p. 275). Their friendship ruptured irreparably when Fraenkel, sworn to secrecy by a surgeon, lied to Giacometti and insisted that the sculptor’s operation for cancer had in fact been simply for removal of a gastric ulcer. When he learned the truth, Giacometti was furious and when Fraenkel passed away a year after this incident, Giacometti allegedly remarked “I’m glad he died before I did”.