Publisher Description

A time of new beginnings In 1969, Franz Gertsch painted Huaa...!-which shows a wildly galloping man on horseback-after a film still from a magazine. Photographs have formed the basis for his work ever since, which he almost always takes himself. They include snapshots of the young Gertsch family, pictures from a trip to the South of France, photos of his encounters with Luciano Castelli and his dazzling circle of friends, and portraits of Patti Smith. This publication shows key works from the seventies, both in full views and with details in original size. Zeroing in on these almost abstract-looking details reveals the vibrant quality of the painting with its shimmering surfaces. FRANZ GERTSCH (b. 1930) celebrated his 90th birthday in 2020. With his participation in the documenta in Kassel in 1972 he rose to international fame as a Swiss Photorealist. The paintings in this book were done during this decisive creative phase. Exhibition An exhibition by the Museum Franz Gertsch in cooperation with the LENTOS Kunstmuseum Linz.Languages: German and English

Author Biography

FRANZ GERTSCH (*1930) celebrated his 90th birthday in 2020. With his participation in the documenta in Kassel in 1972 he rose to international fame as a Swiss Photorealist. The paintings in this book were done during this decisive creative phase.

Long Description

Key works and archival documents from the fabled Swiss hyperrealist's early career In 1969, Franz Gertsch (born 1930) painted Huaa...! , depicting a man on horseback, wildly galloping, which was base on a film still found in a magazine. Photographs have formed the basis for his work ever since. Generally produced by Gertsch himself, and included in this new survey of his early career, these photographs range from snapshots of the young Gertsch family, pictures from a trip to the South of France, photos of his encounters with Luciano Castelli and his dazzling circle of friends, and portraits of Patti Smith. Published in the year of the artist's 90th birthday, Franz Gertsch: The Seventies presents a selection of key works from the 1970s, reproduced both in full and with details at original size. Zeroing in on these almost abstract-looking details reveals the vibrant virtuosity of the paintings and their shimmering surfaces.

Details