Description
Arnold Böcklin is, along with Hans Holbein the Younger, one of the saints of the Kunstmuseum Basel, which houses the most important collection of his works with over 90 paintings and sculptures. The artist, born in Basel, gained enormous notoriety in German-speaking countries at the end of the 19th century and is among the main representatives of symbolism. Even during his lifetime, Böcklin was controversial. For some, he was an innovator; for others (like the influential art critic Julius Meier-Graefe), he was accused of halting progress in art. Twelve constellations, in which Böcklin encounters works by pioneers, contemporaries, and unsuspected close associates, allow for the crystallization of key biographical, stylistic, and thematic aspects of his work. The mood barometer oscillates between satire, atmospheric melancholy, and solemn gravity. Where Böcklin remains elusive, where the desire for renewal and attachment to traditions oppose each other irreconcilably in his work, he reveals himself as a child of the Fin de Siècle era, rich in contradictions. Note: This text was translated by an automatic translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.
Highlights
- Over 90 works by Arnold Böcklin
- Exploration of symbolism themes
- Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel
General Information
The 'Böcklin Encounter' exhibition presents a vast collection of works by Arnold Böcklin, a major symbolist artist. It highlights biographical and stylistic aspects through constellations of works, offering a reflection on his impact and contradictions.
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September 2026
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