Max Sulzbachner

Impressive graphics such as the woodcut series "Moon Nights" from 1925 are characteristic of the early work of the significant Basel artist Max Sulzbachner (1904–1985). Like his fellow artists Hermann Scherer and Albert Müller, Sulzbachner, as he was known in Basel, was captivated by the expressionism of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. He maintained a striking style and was always interested in theatricality and folk festivals. The mountain landscapes of Ticino, fairs, circus stages, and the Basel Fasnacht were among his preferred subjects. He was also a successful and dedicated set designer, lantern painter, and illustrator. His art is marked by references to local events and political circumstances, as well as a preference for stylistic exaggeration, even to the point of caricature. The monograph not only provides an overview of Sulzbachner's artistic work but also offers new insights into the Basel art and cultural scene after World War I. A text by Géraldine Meyer supports the carefully selected images and contextualizes the artist's diverse oeuvre.