Art Basel at 50 - the 1970s
Discover the fair's history, decade by decade
2020 marks Art Basel's 50th anniversary. Conceived as a fair by gallerists for gallerists, it has brought together thousands of exhibitors, artists, and visitors since its inception. Through archive images, quotes from early participants, and key facts and figures, we invite you to discover Art Basel's founding years.
The Genesis: 1970
Art Basel, founded by the Basel gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt, launches with 90 galleries and 20 publishers from 10 countries.
First edition: Facts and Figures
- 16,300 visitors
- 110 exhibitors
- 10 countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA
- Day Ticket: CHF 5
The Early Years
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Either mapping is wrong or this module has no Frontend component yet.
Next up: Art Basel at 50 - the 1980s
This timeline was first published in Art Basel | Year 50.
Images, from top to bottom: 1. Entrance to the first edition of Art Basel, Basel, June 1970. (c) Staatsarchiv via JRP: Photo: Dierks Presse-Photo Basel, Source: Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, PA 1189b D 1 (1) 5. 2. Trudl Bruckner 3. Works, including a sculpture by Jean Dubuffet (right), exhibited in the Rundhof, Art Basel, Basel, 1974. Staatsarchiv via JRP: Bildnachweis Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, PA 1189b D 1 (1) 3 4. Ernst Beyeler, 1970. Photo: Kurt Wyss. 5. General impression of the fair, 1971. Photo: Kurt Wyss 6. General impression of the fair's 1971 edition. Photo: Photo: Foto Dierks Basel, Courtesy Art Basel 7. General impression of the 1972 edition of the fair. Photo: Kurt Wyss 8. Leo Castelli (center) and Claes Oldenburg (right), Art Basel, Basel, 1975. 9. Henry Moore attends the fair, Art Basel, Basel, 1970. 10. The Sidney Janis Gallery booth in 1978, dedicated to naïve American art. Staatsarchiv via JRP: Photo: Dierks Presse-Photo Basel, Source: Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, PA 1189b D 10 (1) 1 11. Catalogue 1973. © Art Basel /MCH/JRP|Editions/ Photo: Julien Gremaud. 12. General impression of the 1971 fair. Photo: Kurt Wyss. 13. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, 1979. Photo: Kurt Wyss via JRP. 14. Booth of Galerie Liatowitsch. Photo: Kurt Wyss via JRP.