Alberto Giacometti was one of the most significant sculptors of the mid-twentieth century. His work was influenced by the ideas of Cubism and Surrealism. Giacometti's main topic was the human figure, of which he made fragile, almost bodiless and hyperextended bronze sculptures. Their essence was the relationship between figure and space: the artist made striding or standing figures in empty space and isolation. This theme was continued in Giacometti's drawings and paintings.