Jean Tinguely (1925 - 1991) - photo 1

Jean Tinguely

Jean Tinguely, a Swiss sculptor born in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1925, carved a unique niche in art history with his kinetic sculptures, integrating movement and self-destruction into his works. Notably, his pieces extend the Dada tradition into the latter part of the 20th century, satirizing automation and the technological overproduction of material goods. Tinguely's innovative approach is exemplified in his Metamatic drawing machines, allowing viewers to create abstract images automatically, and his spectacular self-destroying sculpture "Homage to New York" at MoMA in 1960, showcasing his flair for blending performance and art​​​​​​.

His artistry evolved through collaboration with other artists, including his wife Niki de Saint Phalle, leading to vibrant, large-scale projects like the colorful "Stravinsky Fountain" near the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Tinguely's works, characterized by their use of scrap metal and mechanical parts, not only challenge the conventional boundaries of art but also engage with themes of destruction, renewal, and the intersection of art and life. His significant contributions to kinetic art and his involvement with the Nouveau Réalisme group highlight his pioneering role in post-war European art​​.

Tinguely's legacy is preserved in the Museum Tinguely in Basel, dedicated to his life and work, ensuring his innovative spirit continues to inspire. His works, such as "Méta-Harmonie" and the "Carnival Fountain" in Basel, remain influential, blending artistic exploration with mechanical invention​​​​.

For art collectors and experts, Tinguely's creations represent not only significant artistic achievements but also compelling investments, as his works continue to command high prices at auctions, reflecting their enduring appeal and historical importance​​.

To stay updated on sales and auction events featuring Jean Tinguely's art, sign up for updates. This subscription will ensure you're informed about new opportunities to explore and acquire pieces by this visionary artist, bringing the dynamic energy of kinetic art into your collection.

Date and place of birt:22 may 1925, Fribourg, Switzerland
Date and place of death:30 august 1991, Bern, Switzerland
Nationality:Switzerland
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter, Sculptor
Art school / group:ZERO
Art style:Kinetic art, Modern art, Surrealism, Dadaism, Contemporary art
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Creators Switzerland

Adolphe Potter (1835 - 1911)
Adolphe Potter
1835 - 1911
Hans Asper (1499 - 1571)
Hans Asper
1499 - 1571
Giovanni Giacometti (1868 - 1933)
Giovanni Giacometti
1868 - 1933
Francois Gos (1880 - 1975)
Francois Gos
1880 - 1975
Giovanni Battista Discepoli (1590 - 1660)
Giovanni Battista Discepoli
1590 - 1660
Johann Jakob Wetzel (1781 - 1834)
Johann Jakob Wetzel
1781 - 1834
René Koechlin (1866 - 1951)
René Koechlin
1866 - 1951
Lori Hersberger (1962)
Lori Hersberger
1962
August Wilhelm Leu (1818 - 1897)
August Wilhelm Leu
1818 - 1897
Ernst Gisel (1922 - 2021)
Ernst Gisel
1922 - 2021
Adolf Dietrich (1877 - 1957)
Adolf Dietrich
1877 - 1957
Johannes Itten (1888 - 1967)
Johannes Itten
1888 - 1967
Albert Lugardon (1827 - 1909)
Albert Lugardon
1827 - 1909
Bendicht Fivian (1940 - 2019)
Bendicht Fivian
1940 - 2019
Gunter Böhmer (1911 - 1986)
Gunter Böhmer
1911 - 1986
Xanti Schawinsky (1904 - 1979)
Xanti Schawinsky
1904 - 1979

Creators Contemporary art

Juergen Teller (1964)
Juergen Teller
1964
Cedric Lockwood Morris (1889 - 1982)
Cedric Lockwood Morris
1889 - 1982
Gerhard Merz (1947)
Gerhard Merz
1947
Stephen Ellis (1951)
Stephen Ellis
1951
Velasco Vitali (1960)
Velasco Vitali
1960
Wladyslaw Lopuszniak (1904 - 1995)
Wladyslaw Lopuszniak
1904 - 1995
Walter Krebs (1900 - 1965)
Walter Krebs
1900 - 1965
Hendra Gunawan (1918 - 1983)
Hendra Gunawan
1918 - 1983
Peter Umlauf (1938)
Peter Umlauf
1938
Tim Rollins (1955 - 2017)
Tim Rollins
1955 - 2017
Friedrich Mißfeldt (1874 - 1969)
Friedrich Mißfeldt
1874 - 1969
Collier Schorr (1963)
Collier Schorr
1963
Vladimir Klimentevich Iasnetsov (1926 - 2005)
Vladimir Klimentevich Iasnetsov
1926 - 2005
Julius Shulman (1910 - 2009)
Julius Shulman
1910 - 2009
Carl Jacob Jucker (1902 - 1997)
Carl Jacob Jucker
1902 - 1997
Jean Jansem (1920 - 2013)
Jean Jansem
1920 - 2013
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