Franz Gertsch

Franz Gertsch (8 March 1930 – 21 December 2022) was a Swiss painter and printmaker who was known for his large format photorealistic portraits and detailed studies of nature.

Biography Gertsch was born 1930 in Mörigen, Switzerland. Between 1947 and 1952 he studied with Max von Mühlenen and Hans Schwarzenbach in Bern. He participated in the 1978 and 2003 Venice Biennale and had a solo show there in 1999. His work has since been presented at several retrospective exhibitions, the latest due to open in June 2024 at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen. In 2002 Gertsch opened a Museum Franz Gertsch in Burgdorf.

Gertsch died on 21 December 2022, at the age of 92 in Riggisberg in Canton Bern. His self-titled “situation portraits” include the artist’s depictions of his gender fluid friends getting ready for a party, which was called “a new art form” by the American psychologist and LSD guru Timothy Leary. This phase of the artist’s work ended in 1978–1979 with five portraits of rock musician Patti Smith. In these paintings, Gertsch presents the rock icon in a realistic and authentic way, crouching in front of an amplifier, leaning forward into a tangle of microphones, or seen from behind or to the very edge of the painting. Gertsch’s figurative and photorealistic works can be associated with the European Pop art movement and with contemporary artists such as Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke in Germany, as well as Chuck Close in the USA. Just like these three artists, Gertsch’s point of departure is the photographic image. Focusing on detailed nature studies and close-up portraits, Gertsch however developed his unique style separating him from the social commentary and ironic motifs of Pop art. Together with Markus Raetz, Benedict Fivian, and Herbert Distel, he was represented in the 2017 retrospective Swiss Pop Art at the Aargauer Kunsthaus.

From 1976 to 2013 he created a total of 28 paintings and 15 monochrome woodcuts; he worked on a single composition for up to a year. In 1986, Gertsch took a break from painting to master the woodcut printmaking technique, in which he has pioneered new territory. In his woodcuts, the artist is said to use colour expressive rather than realistically, in order to define anew the relationship between colour and three-dimensional space. The first motifs were monumental portraits of young women, the various prints were all in different colours and thus assumed the character of individual sheets. In addition to the detailed work in cutting the wooden plates, Gertsch’s graphic prints entail time-consuming mixing and colour testing of binder and mineral pigments especially imported from Japan, and thorough testing of hand-made Japan paper for the best possible transfer of colour from the print plates to the finished result. Colour played a central role for Gertsch – to the artist, the photographic image becomes a bearer of abstract qualities in colour and space.

Early works (1969–1976) Huaa...! (1969) Maria mit Kindern (1971) Medici (1971/72) Gaby und Luciano (1973) At Luciano's House (1973) Barbara und Gaby (1974) Marina schminkt Luciano (1975)

Main works (1978–2004) Patti Smith I, II, V (1978/79) Selbstbildnis (1980) Johanna I (1983/84) Natascha IV (1987/88) Silvia I (1998) Gräser I (1995/96) Gräser IV (1998/99)

Late works Source:

Herbst (2007/08) Sommer (2008/2009) Winter (2009) Frühling (2011)

Exhibitions Solo exhibitions 2024 "Franz Gertsch", Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humblebæk "Franz Gertsch. Selected Woodcuts", Galleri K, Oslo 2020 "Franz Gertsch. Die Siebziger", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf, LENTOS Kunstmuseum Linz, Linz "Franz Gertsch. Looking Back. Hommage zum Neunzigsten", Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich, Zürich 2019 "Franz Gertsch. Es malt sich wie von selbst", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Frühling, Sommer, Herbst und Winter", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Winter und Sommer", Galerie Kornfeld, Bern "Franz Gertsch. Selected Woodcuts 1986-2017", Galleri K, Oslo 2018 "Franz Gertsch. Bilder sind meine Biografie", Kunsthalle zu Kiel, Kiel "Franz Gertsch: Polyfocal Allover", Swiss Institute (SI), New York "Franz Gertsch. Looking at you", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf 2017 "Franz Gertsch visages paysages", Musée Jenisch, Vevey "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Skopia, Genf "Franz Gertsch. Sommer", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Neu und unbekannt", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Selected monumental woodcuts", Galleri K, TEFAF Maastricht 2016 "Werke von Franz Gertsch", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Portraits and Landscapes: Woodcuts", Galleri K, Oslo 2015 "Franz Gertsch. Gewachsen", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Frühe Holzschnitte", Kabinett, Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Johanna & Co. feat. Andy Warhol", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Michael Haas, Berlin 2014 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Skopia, Genf "Franz Gertsch", Les Abattoirs, Toulouse "Franz Gertsch: Die Jahreszeiten", Museum Kurhaus Kleve, Kleve "Franz Gertsch. Triptychon Guadeloupe", Museum Folkwang, Essen 2013 "Franz Gertsch Holzschnitte. Aus der Natur gerissen", Museum Sinclair-Haus, Bad Homburg "Franz Gertsch. Geheimnis Natur", Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden 2012 "Franz Gertsch. Momentaufnahme", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Die vier Jahreszeiten", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf 2011 "Franz Gertsch. Aus dem Frühwerk", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Die vier Jahreszeiten", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Das grosse Gras", Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Jahreszeiten. Werke von 1983 bis 2011", Kunsthaus Zürich "Franz Gertsch – Holzschnitte", Galerie Haas AG, Zürich "Franz Gertsch – Holzschnitte- ausgewählte Separatdrucke", Galerie Kornfeld und Cie., Bern 2010 "Rot & Blau. Franz Gertsch und Max von Mühlenen", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Drei Gemälde aus dem Vier Jahreszeiten Zyklus", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf 2009 "Franz Gertsch. 1950 und 1960: Skizzen und Vorzeichnungen zu, Tristan Bärmann‘", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Die neuen Jahreszeiten", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Eigenleben der Farbe. Farbproben zur Druckgraphik von Franz Gertsch", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch – Gräser – Holzschnitte", Galerie Lindner, Wien "Silvia", Galerie Haas & Fuchs, Berlin 2008 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Skopia, Genf "Franz Gertsch", Patrick Painter Inc., Santa Monica, CA "Franz Gertsch. Herbst", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Arbeiten auf Papier", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Lovers of Fine Art, Gstaad 2007 "REHAU Aussicht Franz Gertsch", REHAU ART, Rehau 2006 "Franz Gertsch – Monumentale Holzschnitte", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Retrospektive – das malerische Werk 1951–1986", MUMOK Museum für Moderne Kunst Stiftung Ludwig, Wien, zusammen mit "Franz Gertsch. Naturporträts", Albertina, Wien "Franz Gertsch, Ikon Gallery", Birmingham 2005 "Franz Gertsch. Die Retrospektive", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf, Kunstmuseum Bern, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen (2006), Kunsthalle Tübingen (2006) "M+M – Der Johanna Zyklus", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch – Werke aus der Sammlung Stiftung Willy Michel", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Chuck Close. Franz Gertsch", Galerie Haas & Fuchs, Berlin, galerie im park, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch, Aquarelle – Schottland 1961–1965" – Museum Kurhaus Kleve "Franz Gertsch. Fang Lijun. The Languages of Nature”, White Space, Peking 2004 "Franz Gertsch – Werke aus der Sammlung Stiftung Willy Michel", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Aquarelle – Schottland 1961–1965", Graphische Sammlung der ETH Zürich, Museum Kurhaus Kleve "Presence", The Speed Art Museum, Louisville, Kentucky "Franz Gertsch – Patti Smith”, Gagosian Gallery, New York "Martin Disler. Franz Gertsch", Galerie & Edition René Steiner, Erlach 2003 "Franz Gertsch. Silvia, kestnergesellschaft, Hannover "Franz Gertsch – Patti Smith", museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf, Pinakothek der Moderne, München 2002 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Monica de Cardenas, Mailand "Franz Gertsch. Das Gesamtwerk 1987–2002", Eröffnungsausstellung museum franz gertsch, Burgdorf "Franz Gertsch. Monumentale Holzschnitte", Bündner Kunstmuseum, Chur 2001 "Franz Gertsch. Xylographies monumentales 1986–2000", Centre culturel suisse, Paris 2000 "Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte, Gräser", Galerie Haas & Fuchs, Berlin "Franz Gertsch”, Hess Collection at Vinopolis, London 1999 "Franz Gertsch – Gemälde und Holzschnitte 1987 bis 1997", Museum Kurhaus Kleve "Stille Wasser. 7 Räume, 7 Künstler um Franz Gertsch", Kunstmuseum Thun 1997 "Franz Gertsch. Preisträger des Kaiserrings Goslar", Mönchehaus Museum für moderne Kunst, Goslar "Franz Gertsch – Landschaften und Porträts 1986–1995", Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin "Franz Gertsch”, Cabinet des estampes, Musée d'art et d'histoire, Genf "Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte”, Kunsthalle Burgdorf 1996 "Franz Gertsch", Frankfurt, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst 1995 "Franz Gertsch”, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Nagoya 1994 "Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte 1986–1994", Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden "Franz Gertsch. Travaux récents", Galerie Patrick Roy, Lausanne "Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte und Malerei auf Papier", Kunstmuseum Bern "Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte 1986–1994", Galerie Kornfeld & Cie., Bern 1993 "Franz Gertsch. Landschaften", Graphische Sammlung der ETH, Zürich, Städtische Galerie im Städelschen Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt a. M. 1992 "Franz Gertsch. Gravures sur bois 1986–1991", Galerie Patrick Roy, Lausanne 1991 "Franz Gertsch, Eröffnungsausstellung", Galerie Rigassi, Bern "Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte", Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, München "Franz Gertsch. Nine Large Scale Woodcuts”, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C., San José Museum of Art 1990 "Franz Gertsch. Large Scale Woodcuts”, Serie "Projects", Museum of Modern Art, New York 1989 "Franz Gertsch. Bois gravés monumentaux. Grossformatige Holzschnitte. Large-scale woodcuts”, Cabinet des estampes und Musée Rath, Musée d’art et d’histoire, Genf 1986 "Franz Gertsch", Museum Moderner Kunst, Wien, Kunsthalle Basel "Franz Gertsch. Johanna II", Kunsthalle Bern 1983 "Franz Gertsch, Arbeiten 1981/82/83", Knoedler, Zürich 1981/82 "Franz Gertsch. Major Works”, Louis K. Meisel Gallery, New York 1980 "Franz Gertsch", Kunsthaus Zürich, Sprengelmuseum Hannover 1979 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Veith Turske, Köln 1976 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Veith Turske, Köln 1975 "Franz Gertsch", Akademie der Künste, Berlin, Kunstverein Braunschweig, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Kunsthalle Basel 1973 "Franz Gertsch", Nancy Hoffmann Gallery, New York 1972 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Mikro, Berlin "Franz Gertsch", Kunstmuseum Luzern 1971 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Verna, Zürich 1970 Galerie Stampa, Basel "Franz Gertsch – Neue Bilder II", Galerie Toni Gerber, Bern "Franz Gertsch – Neue Bilder I", Galerie Toni Gerber, Bern 1969 "Franz Gertsch – Bilder und Collagen", Galerie Riehentor, Basel 1968 "Franz Gertsch. Bilder und Collagen 1968", Galerie Krebs, Bern 1966 "Franz Gertsch", Orell Füssli, Zürich 1965 "Franz Gertsch. Aquarelle", Galerie Bertram, Burgdorf 1964 "Franz Gertsch", Anlikerkeller, Bern 1962 "Franz Gertsch", Anlikerkeller, Bern 1955 "Franz Gertsch. Malerei, Graphik", Anlikerkeller, Bern 1951 "Franz Gertsch", Galerie Simmen, Bern

Scholarships and awards 1949 De Harris scholarship 1974–75 DAAD scholarship, Berlin 1998 Kulturpreis der Bürgi-Willert-Foundation 2005 Honorary citizen Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel 2006 Honorary citizen Rüschegg