The winter 2024–2025 seasonal exhibition of Hans Josephsohn in St. Moritz, titled Sculptures 1969–1998, was presented at Galerie von Opel by Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery. Held from December 21, 2024, to March 1, 2025, the exhibition showcased a selection of the Swiss sculptor's works, coinciding with a major retrospective at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris curated by Albert Oehlen. The exhibition featured a range of Josephsohn's sculptures and reliefs from 1969 to 1998, highlighting his unique exploration of the human form. Known for his deeply personal approach, Josephsohn's works oscillated between figuration and abstraction, conveying a profound sense of presence and timelessness. His sculptures were noted for their powerful corporeality, with some works from the 1980s and beyond alluding to the human body with increasing subtlety.
The artist, Hans Josephsohn (1920–2012), was a Swiss sculptor renowned for his raw, elemental depictions of the human figure. Josephsohn fled the Nazi regime in 1938 and settled in Switzerland, where he spent the rest of his life. His artistic legacy is anchored in his unwavering focus on the human form, rendered in a manner that eschews realism in favour of timeless, archaic, and almost monumental presence. In sum, Hans Josephsohn is regarded today as a singular voice in 20th-century sculpture—one whose commitment to form, material, and humanity places him in a lineage with artists like Alberto Giacometti and Medardo Rosso, yet whose work remains wholly his own.
Very much in line with the character of the artists’ work, the exhibition was set against the dramatic mountains of St. Moritz, providing a fitting context and the deep roots in Switzerland. The presentation aimed to offer a rare opportunity to engage with the artist's sculptures at a pivotal moment of international recognition. This seasonal exhibition was part of a broader cultural initiative in St. Moritz, which also included other notable art events such as NOMAD St. Moritz and MAZE Photography St. Moritz, enriching the town's winter arts scene.
This seasonal exhibition was presented in partnership with Thaddaeus Ropac, a leading international gallerist and founder of Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac. Since establishing his first gallery in Salzburg in 1983, Ropac has become a pivotal figure in the global art world, with major spaces in Paris, London, and Seoul. He is renowned for his long-standing collaborations with influential artists and his curatorial rigor and commitment to sculptural practice, making his involvement in the Hans Josephsohn: Sculptures 1969–1998 exhibition in St. Moritz both fitting and deeply meaningful. His galleries regularly collaborate with major museums and institutions worldwide, contributing to critical dialogues in contemporary and modern art. Thaddaeus Ropac continues to shape cultural discourse through exhibitions, publications, and institutional partnerships, affirming his reputation as one of the most respected figures in the art community today.