Rappaz – Haus der Basler Grafik
Former studio house of Basel graphic artist Rolf Rappaz with an archive display; today open only for events and guided tours.
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About the museum
Rolf Rappaz (1914–1996) was a graphic artist and painter from Basel. With his advertising graphics between 1935 and 1970 he shaped Swiss graphic design in the postwar period; in later years he devoted himself to free art, above all abstract painting. His studio house at Klingental 11 is one of the oldest buildings in Kleinbasel and is closely linked to the Klingental Monastery.
In 2008 the studio house opened to the public as the RappazMuseum. It showed the artist's advertising graphics and his free work, supplemented by exhibitions of contemporary art and graphic design. After the death of the founder and foundation president Gisèle Rappaz at the end of 2022, the funds no longer covered museum operations, and the RappazMuseum closed at the end of 2023.
Since then the Gisèle and Rolf Rappaz Foundation has continued the house as "Rappaz – Haus der Basler Grafik". It is dedicated to the life's work of Rolf Rappaz and to the visual legacy of his era, aims to be a meeting place around graphic design, and wants to make Basel visible as a city of graphic design. There is no longer regular museum operation: the viewing archive with 25 stations on his life and work is open during the event series "Friday Graphics", and individual guided tours take place now and then, for example for the European Heritage Days.
Highlights
- Viewing archive with 25 stations on the life and work of Rolf Rappaz
- Former studio house at Klingental 11 with ties to the Klingental Monastery
- "Friday Graphics" event series with input from the graphic and design scene
- Guided tours for the European Heritage Days
Permanent exhibition
- Schau-Archiv zu Leben und Werk von Rolf Rappaz – An archive to view, with 25 stations on the biography and work of the Basel graphic artist, accessible during events in the house.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Gisèle und Rolf Rappaz Stiftung
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission to the "Friday Graphics" events, including the viewing archive.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Rheingasse
Tram 6, 8, 14, 15, 17 or bus 34, 38 to Rheingasse, followed by a short walk.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours take place only on individual dates (for example during the European Heritage Days; registration required; led by the curatorial team). |
