The current exhibition, Odyssee Moderne, displays a selection of works from artists of the Classical Modern Art period, and conveys a coherent picture of the radical change which took place in the arts at the time. A range of sculptures and paintings from Picasso, Braque, Léger, Jawlensky, Kirchner, Klee, Arp, Rouault, Corinth, Ensor, Picabia, Hodler, and Laurens, among other contemporary works, is on view.

In parallel to Odyssee Moderne, a special exhibit has been dedicated to the artist Otto Freundlich (1878–1943), in which his two monumental sculptures, «Ascension» (1929) and «Composition» (1933), play a pivotal role. The Jewish-German artist is counted as one of the most eminent proponents of the Parisian Avant-garde during the period before and after World War 1. It is also within this artistic and social milieu – in close contact to other influential artists, such as Picasso, Braque, Mondrian, Kandinsky and Arp – where he further developed his own artistic vision.

On occasion of this exhibition, a central work of Freundlich is on display in the Basel Art Museum (ground floor, 20th Century Wing). The painting, until recently stored in a depot, has now been presented to the public in historical context with Mondrian, Arp and Klee.

Image gallery ›
Exhibition pictures ›