Robert Delaunay, Hommage à Blériot

The Kunstmuseum Basel’s collection comprises 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. Every year it inspires thousands of visitors from all over the world. Together with its partners, sponsors and donors, the Foundation for the Kunstmuseum Basel plays a decisive role in the success of the Kunstmuseum Basel, because because a number of things would not be possible without substantial contributions. The Foundation's president presents his favourite work from the collection.

1. Name and role at the Kunstmuseum Basel
Markus Altwegg, President of the Foundation for the Kunstmuseum Basel

2. Job description
As President of the Foundation for the Kunstmuseum Basel, I, together with the members of the Board of Trustees, have succeeded in forming a circle of personalities who are prepared to support the museum regularly, both financially and in terms of ideas, as a sponsor or donor. This network of friends of the museum must be maintained and further expanded, because the director of the museum is dependent on our support. Only the support of the Foundation enables the Museum to develop attractive exhibitions and programmes that touch the people in the region and to continue to give the Museum its international reputation.

3. My favourite
Robert Delaunay, Hommage à Blériot, 1914

4. Why?
The work stands for many things that seem important to me in these difficult times. The very special colours express cheerfulness and optimism, which we especially need at the moment. The colored circles in connection with the propeller and the airplane give the picture dynamics and liveliness, which we all hope for soon in the present isolation, and the Eiffel Tower awakens the longing for times when we can move freely again. For me, however, the painting also stands as a symbol of the conviction that progress can only be achieved through innovation, technology and science.

Credit: Robert Delaunay, Hommage à Blériot, 1914. Leimtempera auf Leinwand, 250 x 251 cm, Kunstmuseum Basel.