Print editions
Contemporary prints are often published by artist associations, art edition publishers and museums. The Prints and Drawings Department of the Swiss National Library collects print editions by leading figures in this field in Switzerland, including Edition VFO, des Atelier-Editions Fanal and Visarte Neuchâtel.
The Prints and Drawings Department collects modern and contemporary art prints from 1900 onwards, documenting Swiss artistic output in this field. One focus of the collection lies on print editions released by important artist associations, art edition publishers and museums, such as those listed below.
Atelier-Editions Fanal
Atelier-Editions Fanal was founded in Basel in 1966 and has been publishing art editions with a focus on Concrete Art since 1978. The atelier’s archive, now held at the National Library, contains around 300 prints and publications, comprising all the editions that were still available.
Edition VFO
Edition VFO (Verein für Originalgraphik) has been publishing contemporary prints in Zurich since 1948. The archive held in the Prints and Drawings Department now comprises more than 620 prints and unique works on paper. All print editions published between 2010 and 2025 are represented with one copy each. The holdings are continually expanded and will also include the works on paper that Edition VFO publishes through the end of 2028.
Visarte Neuenburg
Since 1917, the members of the artist association Visarte Neuchâtel have released a print or a special art object each year, which is given to members, friends and museums. The Prints and Drawings Department holds an extensive series of the editions on paper that Visarte Neuchâtel has produced since this tradition began.
Research and access
The collections are described and catalogued in detail in the HelveticArchives database.
Further information about the collections and details about unpublished holdings available on request.
Consultation of originals: on site and by appointment
* All rights reserved. Without permission through ProLitteris reproduction and any other use of the work besides the individual and private consultation are forbidden.
Swiss National Library
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3003 Bern