Unternavigation

Visual treasures

The Prints and Drawings Department holds remarkable visual objects of many kinds: historical and contemporary prints, drawings and photographs, posters, images of historic monuments and works of art. In “Visual treasures”, members of staff from the Department present some striking discoveries and invite you to explore rarely seen or hitherto unknown marvels.

The power of colour: two female portraits in dialogue

Two prints created around 200 years apart show how colour helps make works unique – from Selina Trepp’s modern woodcuts to coloured images of traditional dress from the 19th century.

An architectural treasure chest: the work of Henry B. von Fischer

Henry B. von Fischer breathed new life into Baroque architecture in Bern at the turn of the 20th century. He left his mark on the capital city with impressive villas and urban planning ideas.

An artist joins the circus

Join Marc Gonthier as he ventures into the exciting world of the circus. The NL takes a closer look at the work of this nearly forgotten Vaudois artist.

Capturing the magnificence of “abominable ice mountains”

The Wehrli brothers defined Swiss Alpine photography at the turn of the 20th century, revealing the beauty of the High Alps and the courage of mountain climbers to the general public.

Blast from the past – early 20th century advertisements from Wander

Sixty vintage advertising panels from Dr. Wander AG, housed in the National Library’s Prints and Drawings Department, give us a glimpse into marketing messages from a bygone era.

Wood – medium and motif in the work of Emil Zbinden

Throughout his career, the artist Emil Zbinden produced woodcuts and wood engravings. His works invite the onlooker to touch the wood, feel its texture, and engage with the physicality of the subject depicted.

The mushrooms of Hans Walty: a feast for the eyes and the palate

Hans Walty’s mushroom illustrations inspire us to spend more time in the forest – and the kitchen. Proceed with caution, however, as not all of the mushrooms depicted are fit for human consumption!