This early portrait is by Lili Erzinger, a Swiss artist known for her pioneering work in abstraction. Acquired by the museum in 2018, it shows the artist’s developments in more figurative work, alongside her commitment to abstraction. Unlike her later portraits, this painting focuses on capturing the physical characteristics of the subject. Erzinger achieved a sense of visual harmony through an extensive process of exploration and internalization, evident in the numerous sketches produced during her research. The process often spanned several years. Although the subject remains unidentified, it is speculated to be the artist’s mother. The book’s title, Raphael, possibly alludes to the renowned Renaissance painter.
This work was also presented at MBAL during the exhibition Le plaisir du texte (2023).
Oil on cardboard, inv. 2024-0023
