Alberto Giacometti’s presence in Bregaglia, the valley of his family origins, is often associated with the famous photographs depicting him inside the Stampa Studio. These iconic images, taken during the final years of his life by renowned photographers, helped shape the collective image of the artist at work in the studio of his father, Giovanni Giacometti, next to the family home.
Organized by the Centro Giacometti on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the artist’s birth (2026), this photography exhibition invites visitors to look beyond that now legendary setting and discover other places, moments, and experiences that shaped Giacometti’s life in Bregaglia.
The exhibition traces his childhood in Borgonovo and Stampa, the family’s second home and studio in Capolago, his early relationship with the Alpine landscape through games and walks, boat trips on Lake Sils, and visits to friends in neighboring Engadine. It presents an intimate and personal narrative populated by family and emotional ties: his parents, siblings, Ottilia, relatives, and friends. The photographs reveal seemingly ordinary details of everyday life—elements often absent from written or oral sources—that enrich our understanding of Alberto Giacometti.
More than a simple collection of images, the exhibition is a carefully researched photographic project rooted in the biographical and geographical context of the valley that Giacometti continued to visit throughout his life. It may even represent a unique case: Giacometti is among the twentieth century’s most extensively photographed artists from early childhood in his native environment, long before becoming one of the central figures of modern art.
To accompany the exhibition, the Giacometti Center is presenting an exclusive set of five photographic postcards selected from the exhibition and individually numbered from 1 to 300. This limited edition has been created to evoke Alberto Giacometti’s Bregaglia and to offer visitors an authentic memento of his story.
The exhibition was previewed on Saturday, May 16, 2026, as part of the ARTipasto cultural program.
With the support of:
Biblioteca Engiadinaisa, Sils/Segl Maria
