Raphael Ritz: Fabrique d'un Valais exotique

Raphael Ritz, a Swiss artist from Valais, studied at the Academy of Art in Düsseldorf and perfected his technique in mountain painting. He created landscape idylls in Düsseldorf for an audience that appreciated regional peculiarities, often with a touch of irony. This new monograph explores his work beyond national borders and frames it in Swiss and international artistic contexts of the time. The artist's correspondence with his father is also examined, providing insight into his artistic self-discovery. Selected photographs by Swiss contemporary artists show the Valais of today and establish a connection between Ritz's ethnographic view of his origins and the present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Scheidegger und Spiess AG, Verlag

Raphael Ritz, a prominent artist hailing from the Swiss canton of Valais, holds a significant place in the realm of art history. During the 1850s, Ritz, who later gained fame as the "Raphael of the Alps," pursued his artistic journey by studying at the renowned Academy of Art in Düsseldorf, Germany. There, he honed his skills and perfected his technique in the captivating genre of mountain painting, which delves into the intricate interplay between landscape and human existence.

Driven by a deep connection to his roots, Ritz embarked on a creative endeavor to create landscape idylls in the distant city of Düsseldorf, catering to an audience that cherished regional peculiarities. With a subtle touch of irony, he occasionally employed his works to serve a modern purpose, illustrating the timeless essence of everyday life.

This comprehensive monograph extends our understanding of Ritz's artistic contributions beyond national boundaries, placing them within the Swiss and international artistic contexts of his time. It also delves into the rich tapestry of his correspondence with his father, Lorenz Justin Ritz, a fellow painter, offering a valuable insight into his artistic self-discovery. Furthermore, a selection of photographs by Swiss contemporary artists from the museum's collection serves as a contemporary lens, showcasing the Valais of today and establishing a meaningful connection between Ritz's ethnographic perspective of his origins and the present.

The text is presented in both French and German, allowing a broader audience to engage with Ritz's artistic legacy.

Weight: 720g
Dimension: 273 x 224 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783039420339