Irène Zurkinden: die Liebe, das Leben

A unique insight into the work of Irène Zurkinden - with sketchbooks published for the very first time

Accompanying the exhibition of the same name, this book offers a fascinating insight into the multifaceted work of Irène Zurkinden. Over more than five decades, the artist created intimate, powerful, and uncompromisingly expressive works that continue to captivate today.The beautifully designed catalogue not only presents her most renowned paintings and drawings but also, for the very first time, her sketchbooks - a rare window into the creative process of an exceptional artist. 

Book Highlights: 

• First-ever publication of Irène Zurkinden's sketchbooks
• Comprehensive overview of more than 50 years of artistic work 
• High-quality reproductions of paintings, drawings, and sketches 
• Exhibition catalogue and collector's item for art enthusiasts 

This publication reveals how Zurkinden's oeuvre oscillates between grace, beauty, and critical engagement with her time - an art book that unites inspiration, insight, and visual intensity.

Swiss painter Irène Zurkinden (1909-1987) trained as a fashion illustrator in Basel before turning to the visual arts. A leading figure of the city's cultural scene, she spent her life between Basel and Paris-her place of longing. Throughout her career, she exhibited widely in Basel galleries and Swiss institutions, with her paintings and sketchbooks bearing witness to a unique view of society and her personal surroundings.