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Barbara und Gaby, 1974
von • by Franz Gertsch
www.franz-gertsch.ch

At first glance, the paintings of Franz Gertsch (1930-2022) look like

photographs on canvas. In a way, they are just that: painterly re-

productions of his own photographs. Only upon close inspection

do the large-format paintings, some of which are over four metres

wide, reveal the brushwork of the Swiss artist. This is also the case

with his paintings “Luciano I”, “Gaby and Luciano” and “Barbara

and Gaby”, which were created between 1973 and 1976. During this

creative period, Gertsch was a regular guest at the informal parties

of the Lucerne bohemian scene in a neglected Art Nouveau villa.
He consciously chose a milieu that was not his own to maintain

clarity in his observational role. This decision led to realistic por-

traits and intimate insights into the young and eccentric art scene

surrounding Luciano Castelli. Gertsch created diapositives that he

projected onto the unprimed cotton. It was not his intention to

mimic photography but rather to “free himself from the torment of

eternal decisions and fully dedicating himself to painting”. With a

quick brush, he applied acrylic paint, repeatedly using his self-de-

vised painting technique for months until the entire canvas was

covered. To this day, Gertsch’s extraordinary synthesis of photogra-

phy and painting shines with its immediate, progressive effect. His

impressive oeuvre is currently on display at the Louisiana Museum

of Modern Art in Humlebæk. In December, the retrospective solo

exhibition featuring oversized group paintings, portraits and land-

scapes will travel to the Deichtorhallen Hamburg.

Franz Gertsch
Barbara und Gaby, 1974
Acryl auf ungrundierter Baumwolle
270 x 420 cm
Foto: Fotosourcen MFG, Benteli Verlag