Artwork
Degen, Paul - Malerei, Zwei Baselstäbe trinkend
Degen, Paul - Malerei, Zwei Baselstäbe trinkend is an unspecified painting by Paul Degen. It dates from 1986 and is held in the collection of the Archaeology and Museum Baselland.
About this work
Overview
Paul Degen’s 1986 work titled *Zwei Baselstäbe trinkend* presents a humorous genre scene of two elongated figures engaged in a celebratory toast. The drawing is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of Degen’s playful approach to figurative drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two slender, exaggerated characters with elongated noses, oversized ears, and untamed hair. Dressed in ornate attire, each holds a drink, suggesting a moment of conviviality or festivity. Their exaggerated proportions and animated postures convey a light‑hearted, almost caricatural commentary on social rituals of drinking and merriment.
Technique & Style
Degen employs loose, fluid lines that give the drawing a spontaneous, cartoon‑like quality. The figures are stretched and distorted for comic effect, while the minimal shading focuses attention on the gesture and expression. This sketch‑like execution underscores the artist’s interest in humor through exaggerated form.
History & Provenance
Created in 1986, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it remains part of the institution’s representation of contemporary Swiss illustration. Its inclusion reflects the museum’s broader aim to document visual culture that bridges fine art and popular visual humor.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Degen painted Swiss scenes with a dry, playful line. His 1960s canvas “Zwei Baselstäbe trinkend” shows two figures clinking glasses—simple shapes, almost like a child’s drawing. Another untitled work uses the same…
