Artwork
Fasnachtshelge "Gritte"
Fasnachtshelge "Gritte" is an unspecified painting by Max Rickenbacher-Hufschmid. It dates from 1957 and is held in the collection of the Archaeology and Museum Baselland.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1957 by Swiss artist Max Rickenbacher‑Hufschmid, the work titled Fasnachtshelge “Gritte” is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a single, stylised portrait rendered in vivid, contrasting colours that dominate a dark field, drawing immediate visual focus to the figure’s expressive features.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a face with an exaggerated, bright pink mouth and a broad grin, set against a backdrop of deep shadow. The hair is suggested by sweeping green strokes that encircle the head like a halo, while the skin combines golden tones with darker shading, giving the portrait a festive, carnival‑like quality.
Technique & Style
Rickenbacher‑Hufschmid employs a loose, gestural line work that conveys immediacy, allowing the composition to feel spontaneous. The palette is saturated, with the pink lips, green hair, and gold‑tinged skin standing out sharply against the surrounding darkness. This contrast, together with the fluid, almost calligraphic strokes, creates a dynamic visual rhythm.
History & Provenance
The piece dates to the late 1950s, a period when the artist explored folk‑festival motifs in his oeuvre. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition (or donation) sometime after its creation, where it remains on display as an example of mid‑century Swiss visual culture linked to carnival traditions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Max Rickenbacher-Hufschmid spent years drawing the same carnival clowns in Basel’s back alleys.
