Johannes Robert Schürch (1895–1941) is one of the leading representatives of early modernism in Swiss art. In his brief career, he created an œuvre of more than 5000 works. His portrayals of the existential conflicts of human existence are not tied to the spirit of a particular era; instead, they address universal themes of timeless relevance. The alertness and sensitivity with which Schürch continually pursued the true and the authentic in both life and art make him one of the most fascinating Swiss artists of his generation.

More than three decades after the last comprehensive presentation of Schürch’s work, this book brings the forgotten artist back into the spotlight and reexamines his œuvre through contemporary questions. The focus lies on the expressive ink drawings and watercolors of the 1920s, as well as sketchbooks that have never before been published. The contributing authors shed light on Schürch’s work from art-historical, cultural studies, and philosophical perspectives. The essays also provide insights into themes that profoundly shaped the artist’s worldview, his thinking, and his actions. New poems by the Swiss writer Simone Lappert, inspired by selected works, also lend Schürch’s art a lyrical resonance in the present.