This exhibition in Basel reveals what lies on the backs of historical paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Visitors can study the hidden liturgical and personal histories behind altarpieces and portraits. The display showcases works by masters like Hans Holbein the Younger and Lucas Cranach the Elder, offering fresh perspectives on medieval art and conservation.
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This exhibition explores the often-concealed reverse sides of artworks from the 14th to the 18th centuries, revealing the hidden lives of panels before they were mounted on museum walls. Visitors can discover the functional, liturgical, and personal meanings behind the backs of winged altarpieces, portraits, and repurposed objects.
Have you ever wondered what might be hidden on the back of a painting? In Verso: Tales from the Other Side, the flipside of artworks from the 14th to the 18th centuries is on view, offering a unique opportunity to examine the concealed sides usually reserved for the eyes of curators and conservators. The exhibition shines a light on the lives of these artworks before they became museum pieces, highlighting traces of their circulation, their varied liturgical and secular functions, and the practical needs of their creators. From winged altarpieces meant to be displayed differently throughout the church calendar, to panels repurposed as advertisements or personal coats of arms, the exhibition offers fresh perspectives on works by renowned masters and lesser-known contributors. The exhibition is organized into thematic rooms, each highlighting different aspects of the 'verso' or reverse side. Visitors will encounter altarpieces that illustrate the complex hierarchies of the Christian cosmos, as well as portraits where coats of arms serve as identifiers in place of inscriptions. Other sections delve into later alterations, inscriptions that transform artworks into monuments, and cases where artists used the backs of supports for witty, autonomous compositions or erotic subjects intended for private viewing. By examining these overlooked surfaces, Verso demonstrates how the backs of panels served as essential components for spiritual protection, social status, and artistic experimentation.
General museum admission applies. Please check the official Kunstmuseum Basel website for visitor information, opening hours, and ticketing details to plan your visit to the Gegenwart building.
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