Helen Frankenthaler
With over fifty works from six decades, the special exhibition Helen Frankenthaler at the Kunstmuseum Basel offers extensive insight into the expansive oeuvre of a preeminent figure of American abstraction. Frankenthaler’s intensely colorful paintings, typically in large formats, light up the galleries and engage viewers. This comprehensive in-depth-survey is the largest exhibition of her work in Europe to date and her first institutional solo show in Switzerland.
A pioneering representative of Abstract Expressionism, Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011) occupies a central position in postwar American art. Her soak-stain technique revolutionized abstract painting and catalyzed the development of color field painting in the U.S. from the mid-1950s onward. A particular focus of the exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Basel is on her probing engagement with historic art she admired, which inspired many works throughout her career. For the first time, Frankenthaler’s paintings will be shown in conversation with artworks ranging from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, a juxtaposition that enriches our understanding of her abstract art.
At the young age of twenty-three, Frankenthaler changed the course of modern painting when she came up with her innovative soak-stain technique: applying diluted paint to unprimed canvases she laid out on the floor, she created luminous compositions of —often monumental in size. She manipulated the paint from all sides, using sponges, scrapers, household brushes, and other tools. As a result, the canvas absorbed the pigments, yielding distinctive effects: fabric and color became one. Although Frankenthaler left plenty of room in her process for chance, she retained a finely honed sense of balance and structure. Her works have captivated viewers for decades through her lyrical handling of color and bold compositional choices.
Helen Frankenthaler, Riverhead, 1963, Kunstmuseum Basel, Gift of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. © 2026 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / ProLitteris, Zurich
In 2024, the Kunstmuseum welcomed Frankenthaler’s formidable painting Riverhead (1963) to its collection. A generous gift of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, the work filled a significant gap in the museum’s holdings of American art. The accession also prompted the museum to make plans for this major exhibition.
Frankenthaler continually developed and refined her painterly practice throughout her career, but she also kept returning to the soak-stain technique. In addition to creating singular paintings on canvas and paper, she also worked in other media; her fine art prints, in particular, have won acclaim.
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A conversation about the art and life of Helen Frankenthaler
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. at Neubau. In conversation with experts and those who knew her personally, the discussion will explore the significance of her work, the trajectory of her life, and the reception of her art.
Program day: “Helen Frankenthaler”
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., program for listening, reading, discussing, and creating at Neubau. In German.
Program day: “Helen Frankenthaler”
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., program for listening, reading, discussing, and creating at Neubau. In German.
The exhibition is supported by:
- Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne
- Isaac Dreyfus-Bernheim Foundation
- Gagosian
- Foundation for the Kunstmuseum Basel
- Peter und Irene Ludwig Foundation
- Anne Mosseri-Marlio and Reto Wey
- Claire Sturzenegger-Jeanfavre Foundation
- Trafina Privatbank AG
- Anonymous donors
- In-kind support is provided by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation
Events for this exhibition
VERNISSAGE
HAUPTBAU
18:00–20:00
Children's vernissage: Colors and surfaces
Whether delicate pink or stormy blue—together we will immerse ourselves in the world of colors and draw inspiration from the paintings of artist Helen Frankenthaler. For children (ages 4–12) In collaboration with the Freunde des Kunstmuseums Basel. Participation free of charge, ticket required via ticketlink
VERNISSAGE
NEUBAU
18:30–21:00
Vernissage: "Helen Frankenthaler"
You are invited to the opening of the exhibition "Helen Frankenthaler". Participation free of charge
CONVERSATION
NEUBAU
11:00–12:30
A conversation about the art and life of Helen Frankenthaler
In conversation with experts and those who knew her personally, the discussion will explore the significance of her work, the trajectory of her life, and the reception of her art. Participation free of charge, ticket required via ticket link
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Visite guidée de l'exposition «Helen Frankenthaler»
In French: Coût: Entrée + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
WORKSHOP
HAUPTBAU
10:00–16:00
Open studio: Painting Without Borders / XXL Painting
In the open studio, we’ll dive into a grand adventure full of color, impact, and expression: Inspired by Helen Frankenthaler’s color-field painting, we’ll discover what it means to paint large-scale works and how to use brushes, sponges, and scrapers in the process.
PROGRAM DAY
HAUPTBAU, NEUBAU
10:00–18:00
Programmtag: Helen Frankenthaler
In German: Anlässlich der bislang grössten Ausstellung zu Helen Frankenthaler in Europa eröffnen Gespräche, Vermittlungsangebote und weitere Programmpunkte unterschiedliche Zugänge zu einem der prägenden Œuvres der amerikanischen Nachkriegskunst. Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7 / Kostenlose Teilnahme
PROGRAM DAY
NEUBAU
13:00–13:45
Kuratorische Einführung in die Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Mit der Kuratorin Anita Haldemann. Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
PROGRAM DAY
NEUBAU
14:00–14:45
Tandemführung zur Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Tandemführung mit Oliver Kornhoff, Direktor Ernst Reinhart Museum, und Anita Haldemann, Kuratorin. Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
PROGRAM DAY
NEUBAU
15:00–15:45
Tandemführung zur Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»: Praxis des Malens
In German: Tandemführung zur Praxis des Malens mit Kathrin Siegrist, Künstlerin, und Amélie Joller, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin. Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
PROGRAM DAY
NEUBAU
16:00–17:30
«Ein Leben lang malen»: Panel zur Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Die Künstlerin Heike-Karin Föll und der Kunsthistoriker Ralph Ubl sprechen über das Verhältnis von Lebenszeit und Kunst, ausgehend von Helen Frankenthalers Werk. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem kunsthistorischen Seminar Universität Basel. Kostenlose Teilnahme, Ticket erforderlich via Ticketlink
WORKSHOP
HAUPTBAU
17:00–20:00
Mitmach-Mittwoch: Color fields
Inspired by the exhibition on "Helen Frankenthaler", we will be experimenting with color field painting in May. Like the American pioneer of abstract painting, we will be setting aside concrete motifs and traditional brushes and emptying, pouring, or spraying paint directly onto various large-format textiles! Every Wednesday. Ages 14 and up. Participation free of charge, no registration required
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
18:30–19:30
Kurator:innenführung: «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Führung in der Ausstellung mit der Kuratorin Anita Haldemann. Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
WORKSHOP
HAUPTBAU
17:00–20:00
Mitmach-Mittwoch: Color fields
Inspired by the exhibition on "Helen Frankenthaler", we will be experimenting with color field painting in May. Like the American pioneer of abstract painting, we will be setting aside concrete motifs and traditional brushes and emptying, pouring, or spraying paint directly onto various large-format textiles! Every Wednesday. Ages 14 and up. Participation free of charge, no registration required
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
ONLINE GUIDED TOUR
ONLINE
17:00–17:45
Anrufkultur: «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Erleben Sie Kunst live von zuhause! Dieser interaktive Online-Rundgang richtet sich an Menschen, die aufgrund einer Sehbeeinträchtigung oder aus anderen Gründen nicht an herkömmlichen Führungen teilnehmen können. Ein audio-visuelles Kunsterlebnis in Kooperation mit anrufkultur. Ticket und Anmeldung erforderlich via Ticketlink
WORKSHOP
HAUPTBAU
17:00–20:00
Mitmach-Mittwoch: Color fields
Inspired by the exhibition on "Helen Frankenthaler", we will be experimenting with color field painting in May. Like the American pioneer of abstract painting, we will be setting aside concrete motifs and traditional brushes and emptying, pouring, or spraying paint directly onto various large-format textiles! Every Wednesday. Ages 14 and up. Participation free of charge, no registration required
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Visite guidée de l'exposition «Helen Frankenthaler»
In French: Coût: Entrée + CHF 7
WORKSHOP
HAUPTBAU
17:00–20:00
Mitmach-Mittwoch: Color fields
Inspired by the exhibition on "Helen Frankenthaler", we will be experimenting with color field painting in May. Like the American pioneer of abstract painting, we will be setting aside concrete motifs and traditional brushes and emptying, pouring, or spraying paint directly onto various large-format textiles! Every Wednesday. Ages 14 and up. Participation free of charge, no registration required
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Guided tour of the exhibition “Helen Frankenthaler”
Costs: Admission + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
18:30–19:30
Curator's tour: «Helen Frankenthaler»
Guided tour with the curator Anita Haldemann. Cost: Entry + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Führung in der Ausstellung «Helen Frankenthaler»
In German: Kosten: Eintritt + CHF 7
GUIDED TOUR
NEUBAU
14:00–15:00
Visite guidée de l'exposition «Helen Frankenthaler»
In French: Coût: Entrée + CHF 7
WORKSHOP FÜR KINDER
HAUPTBAU
09:00–12:00
Sommerferienworkshops: Mal-Atelier nach Frankenthaler
In German: Malen im XXL-Format? In den Sommerferien lassen wir uns inspirieren von der Künstlerin Helen Frankenthaler und malen statt am Tisch mit dem ganzen Körper auf dem Boden und Wänden. Folge Deinen Impulsen und bring die Farbe direkt auf die Leinwand. Morgengruppe: Di, 30.06. – Fr. 03.07.2026 (9-12 Uhr). Weitere Infos und Anmeldung unter Ferienpass Basel. Für Kinder 7-14 Jahre (max. 10 Plätze). Kosten: CHF 60
WORKSHOP FÜR KINDER
HAUPTBAU
13:30–16:30
Sommerferienworkshops: Mal-Atelier nach Frankenthaler
In German: Malen im XXL-Format? In den Sommerferien lassen wir uns inspirieren von der Künstlerin Helen Frankenthaler und malen statt am Tisch mit dem ganzen Körper auf dem Boden und Wänden. Folge Deinen Impulsen und bring die Farbe direkt auf die Leinwand. Morgengruppe: Di, 30.06. – Fr. 03.07.2026 (13.30-16.30 Uhr). Weitere Infos und Anmeldung unter Ferienpass Basel. Für Kinder 7-14 Jahre (max. 10 Plätze). Kosten: CHF 60
