Otto Dix, Portait of the Artist's Parents
Josef Helfenstein's favourite
29 mars 2020
The Kunstmuseum Basel’s collections comprise ca. 4,000 paintings, sculptures, videos, and works of installation art, as well as the ca. 300,000 drawings and prints from seven centuries held by the Kupferstichkabinett. And around 200 people work at the Kunstmuseum Basel in a wide variety of professions - full-time, part-time, on an hourly basis. Some of them present their favourite works from the collection here.
1. Name and role at the Kunstmuseum Basel
Josef Helfenstein, Director
2. Job description
As director, it is important to me that the Kunstmuseum is perceived as a kind of open space, an institution that belongs to everyone and is there for all population groups. The same applies to my staff: we are a diverse team, and it is my wish that this diversity of talents is also expressed in our programme.
3. My favourite
Otto Dix' Portrait of the Artist's Parents I, 1921.
4. Why?
Because we think about our parents or the elderly among us now, perhaps more often than usual and with good reason. For me the portrait of Dix is a very impressive depiction of two people who have not been spoiled by life – but especially in the unembellished image not only the dignity of the figures but also the empathy of the artist with them is expressed in an impressive way.
