Mädchenkopf, 1950 (1997)
Holzschnitt / Woodcut, 18 x 12.5 cm
Handabzug 7 6/27 auf Kumohadamashi-Japanpapier von Heizaburo Iwano / Woodcut 7 6/27 on Kumohadamashi Japanese paper by Heizaburo Iwano
Museum Franz Gertsch, Burgdorf
© Franz Gertsch AG
Franz Gertsch
Early Woodcuts
20.09.2025 – 30.11.2025
The Museum Franz Gertsch exhibits a selection of Franz Gertsch’s early woodcuts from the 1940s and 1950s in the Cabinet.
The sixty early prints by Franz Gertsch exhibited at the Cabinet date from the 1940s and 1950s and were produced in conjunction with his artist books, for example “This und Weit” (1950) and “Ein Sommer” (1954), which were printed in editions of about 200 copies each and feature pictures and texts by the artist.
The book “This und Weit”—according to Samuel Vitali a coming of age novel (2005)—contains 32 small-format woodcuts while “Ein Sommer” tells a love story. The exhibition also features a selection of woodcuts from Franz Gertsch’s third artist book “Begegnung” (1957). These works by the young artist are still imbued with a romantic view of the world; recalling fairy tales and dreams, they address the theme of love between young people.
The works exhibited here are reprints on Japan paper manufactured by Heizaburo Iwano and printed in 1997 by Jürg Kretz in an edition of 27 numbered impressions. This new edition made from the still existing original printing blocks seemed advisable as the artist books themselves were almost entirely out-of-print.
In keeping with the time when the woodcuts were made, the Museum Franz Gertsch is exhibiting the artist’s early painting “Das Veilchenkörbchen” [The Basket of Violets] (1954).
The exhibition was curated by Anna Wesle.
The sixty early prints by Franz Gertsch exhibited at the Cabinet date from the 1940s and 1950s and were produced in conjunction with his artist books, for example “This und Weit” (1950) and “Ein Sommer” (1954), which were printed in editions of about 200 copies each and feature pictures and texts by the artist.
The book “This und Weit”—according to Samuel Vitali a coming of age novel (2005)—contains 32 small-format woodcuts while “Ein Sommer” tells a love story. The exhibition also features a selection of woodcuts from Franz Gertsch’s third artist book “Begegnung” (1957). These works by the young artist are still imbued with a romantic view of the world; recalling fairy tales and dreams, they address the theme of love between young people.
The works exhibited here are reprints on Japan paper manufactured by Heizaburo Iwano and printed in 1997 by Jürg Kretz in an edition of 27 numbered impressions. This new edition made from the still existing original printing blocks seemed advisable as the artist books themselves were almost entirely out-of-print.
In keeping with the time when the woodcuts were made, the Museum Franz Gertsch is exhibiting the artist’s early painting “Das Veilchenkörbchen” [The Basket of Violets] (1954).
The exhibition was curated by Anna Wesle.
Werke / Works
