MEDARDO ROSSO.

THE INVENTION OF MODERN SCULPTURE.

Medardo Rosso in his studio on the Boulevard des Batignolles, 1890, print from the original glass negative, 13 × 17.7 cm, © Archivio Medardo Rosso

Medardo Rosso: The Invention of Modern Sculpture, curated by Elena Filipovic and Heike Eipeldauer, is currently on view at Kunstmuseum Basel until 10 August 2025, exploring the Italian sculptor’s radical approach to his craft.

Rejecting the conventional materials of Western sculpture, Medardo Rosso dismissed marble as uninspired, favouring the transient and fragile nature of wax and plaster. In works like Portinaia (1883–84), these materials seem to dissolve before the viewer’s eyes, emphasising impermanence. Even when working in bronze, he insisted on personally overseeing the casting process rather than relying on large foundries.

Following Medardo Rosso’s own principle of comparative viewing, the exhibition brings his work 'into conversation' with over 60 historical and contemporary photographs, paintings, sculptures, and videos. These cross-generational encounters include artists from Medardo Rosso’s time to the most renowned artists in history, such as Sir Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, Alberto Giacometti, Yayoi Kusama, Bruce Nauman, Georges Seurat, and Andy Warhol.

This exhibition marks Elena Filipovic's first curatorial project at Kunstmuseum Basel since she started in April 2024, following her impactful tenure at Kunsthalle Basel. Over the course of her career, Elena Filipovic has shaped contemporary art discourse through more than 70 exhibitions, driven by her deep commitment to research, writing, and curatorial innovation. She aims to enlarge the audience by strengthening Kunstmuseum Basel to become a place that is even more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.

More information on the exhibition here.