A conversation without words

The Musée Jenisch Vevey is unveiling for the first time a part of the prestigious Swiss collection of contemporary art assembled by Thierry BarbierMueller (1960 – 2023). Over a period of many years, this Geneva-based collector brought together major works by Swiss and international artists, including Silvia Bächli, Spencer Finch, Antony Gormley, Markus Raetz and Nan Goldin. The exhibition presents a coherent and original body of work, mainly on paper, focusing on themes such as landscapes, the human figure and the dualities of Eros and Thanatos. It offers a silent encounter where each work engages in an intimate dialogue with the visitor’s gaze, extending the collector’s introspective quest.

Gallery

Erik Bulatov (Iekaterinbourg *1933) Le Printemps. Boulevard de Sébastopol, 2011, huile sur trait de crayon au graphite et de fusain, rehauts de crayon de couleur sur toile, 180 x 120 cm © Erik Bulatov, courtesy Galerie Skopia Crédit photographique: Claude Cortinovis, courtesy of Erik Bulatov and Skopia

Silvia Bächli (Wettingen *1956), Sans titre, 2016, gouache sur papier, 200 x 150 cm © Silvia Bächli Crédit photographique: Julien Gremaud / imei-co

Franz Gertsch (Morenges 1930-2022 Riggisberg), Rüschegg, 1988-1989, gravure sur bois sur papier japon Kumohadamashi fabriqué par Heizaburo Iwano, 234 x 181 cm (image), 276 x 217 cm (support) © Franz Gertsch AG Crédit photographique: Fotostudio Bartsch, Karen Bartsch, Berlin

Léon Spilliaert (Ostende 1881-1946 Bruxelles), Marine, 1935, aquarelle et crayon de couleur sur papier, 33 x 41 cm Crédit photographique : Julien Gremaud / imei-co

Robert Zünd (Lucerne 1827-1909 Lucerne) Siebeneich in Kerns, non daté, plume, encre noire, lavis d'encre et rehauts de gouache blanche sur papier, 29,5 x 40,5 cm Crédit photographique: Julien Gremaud / imei-co

Uwe Wittwer (Zurich *1954), At the Window, 2009, aquarelle sur papier, 125 x 110 cm © Uwe Wittwer Crédit photographique: Julien Gremaud / imei-co

Exhibition views

Publication

A conversation without words

On the occasion of the exhibition, a publication is being released, co-published by the Musée Jenisch Vevey, the Barbier-Mueller Museum Foundation, and Scheidegger & Spiess. Reproducing all the works featured in the exhibition, the book includes an essay retracing the history of the collection, along with several exclusive interviews with artists and key figures from the art world. Silvia Bächli, Spencer Finch, Michel Grillet, Alain Huck, Pieter Laurens Mol, Uwe Wittwer, and Pierre-Henri Jaccaud share their reflections on their connection to Thierry Barbier-Mueller.

Une conversation sans mots
Format: 24 x 31.5 cm
Edited by Nathalie Chaix and Margaux Farron
Co-published by the Musée Jenisch Vevey, the Barbier-Mueller Museum Foundation, and Scheidegger & Spiess
Design: Onlab Studio
Authors: Zoé Barbier-Mueller, Nathalie Chaix, Margaux Farron, Charlotte Savolainen-Mailler
Retail price: CHF 49.-