Solo Exhibition and Trilingual Book Presentation
Opening Vernissage & Book Launch: Thursday, 10 April 2025, 7:30 PM
Kunsthaus Weiz, Austria | 11 April – 7 June 2025
The Kunsthaus Weiz, in collaboration with Pashmin Art Consortia (Germany), is proud to host a landmark solo exhibition and international book launch dedicated to the multifaceted Swiss artist and thinker Julius Voegtli (1879–1944). Known for his deep intellect and rare versatility, Voegtli’s legacy spans the realms of painting, literature, satire, and social commentary. The event opened with a vernissage and book presentation on 10 April 2025 at 7:30 PM. The exhibition will be open to the public from 11 April through 7 June 2025.
This carefully curated exhibition—led by Nour Nouri, Georg Gratzer, and Dr. Davood Khazaie—presents an impressive cross-section of Voegtli’s work, from sweeping landscapes and psychologically rich portraits to still lifes infused with symbolic precision and biting political caricatures. The evening will also feature a musical performance by the Eduardo Antiao Trio and a personal reflection by Hans Voegtli, the artist’s grandson.
An Artist of Many Worlds
Julius Voegtli was more than a painter; he was a modern polymath. His paintings reflect an early awareness of environmental themes, often depicting nature not only for its beauty but also for its spiritual and ecological resonance. His landscapes evoke a delicate balance between harmony and awe—what he called the “beautiful” and the “sublime.” In his portraits, Voegtli explored the emotional and psychological landscapes of his subjects with tonal depth and remarkable authenticity, often dissolving the traditional subject-object divide.
His still lifes, particularly floral studies inspired by Swiss alpine flora, reveal an almost scientific attention to structure, form, and symbolic meaning. His satire—executed in the form of charcoal caricatures—mocked authoritarian figures and critiqued social hypocrisy, drawing from Bakhtin’s theory of carnivalization. These works, both humorous and sharply political, exemplify Voegtli’s deep commitment to truth and resistance through art.
New Trilingual Publication
Accompanying the exhibition is the release of Julius Voegtli: A Swiss Pioneer of Impressionism, a comprehensive monograph published in German, English, and Chinese. The book delves into Voegtli’s aesthetic philosophy, his friendships with contemporaries like Ferdinand Hodler, and his contributions to early Impressionism in Switzerland. It also addresses his literary output—ranging from short stories to theatrical works—that tackled social taboos and gave voice to women, refugees, and the marginalized.
In 2020, Voegtli’s international relevance was affirmed when he was named “Artist of the Year” by the Chinese art magazine CANS. His work continues to inspire global audiences with its intellectual courage, humanistic depth, and timeless visual language.
Venue & Visitor Information
Kunsthaus Weiz
Rathausgasse 3, 8160 Weiz, Austria
Website: www.kunsthaus.weiz.at
Opening Hours:
- Fridays: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (main entrance)
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM via Rathausgasse (registration required)
Closed on public holidays.
