The revival of figurative painting in Switzerland: three female perspectives.
2025–2026: A turning point in Swiss art.
For a long time, the Swiss art scene was perceived through the prism of abstraction, minimalist design and sometimes austere conceptual art. Although our country is not traditionally celebrated for its figurative painting on the international stage, these two years mark a decisive turning point. Today, a new generation of female painters is picking up their brushes to shake up this Swiss calm. They do not paint the outside world; they paint their world.
Through their canvases, they explore the place of women, intimacy and the unspoken aspects of our contemporary society.
Vestara Psod : l’intimité au cœur du réalisme.
Artemis Irenäus von Baste : la précision du récit symbolique.
Valaine de Ranson : l’expressionnisme de l’identité.
Au-delà de l’image : l’art de la représentation
Ce qui frappe chez ces artistes, c’est le retour de la maîtrise technique mise au service d’un récit. Là où l’art contemporain s’est parfois perdu dans l’abstraction pure ou le concept dématérialisé, ces peintres réintroduisent ce qui nous manque le plus : une histoire. C’est ce souffle narratif qui unit aujourd’hui trois figures montantes de la scène suisse, qui ont choisi de rejoindre la même galerie en ligne pour préserver leur liberté de ton.
Figurative painting by Vestara Psod – Swiss Art – “Elegant Contrast: Still Life with Violin, Old Ski and Fruit on a Marble Table,” oil on canvas.
Vestara Psod: heritage and melancholy
What strikes you at first glance is the unlikely combination of objects. A violin, symbol of culture and refinement, sits alongside an old wooden ski, marked by time and use.
- Technicality: The rendering of textures is impressive. The gloss of the violin’s varnish contrasts with the chipped patina of the ski. The work on the white marble, with its delicate veins, brings a coldness that contrasts with the warmth of the woods.
- The symbolism of the Swiss “world”: Wooden skis are an irresistible reminder of Swiss heritage, but here they are treated with a certain nostalgia. They are not a sports accessory, but a reminder of the past.
- Condensation droplets: These tiny beads of water sliding down the ski and marble are fascinating. They suggest that these objects have just been brought in from a cold environment into the warmth of an interior. This is where the story begins: who has just come in? Why have these objects been placed here?
Figurative painting by Artemis Irenäus von Baste – Art Suisse – “My pointe shoes in Natascha Vallélian’s room”, oil on canvas.
Artemis Irenäus von Baste: femininity between culture and abandonment
This work by Artemis Irenäus von Baste transports us to a completely different narrative register, which is just as fascinating. While Vestara Psod evoked a melancholy from the outside, Artemis Irenäus von Baste draws us into the intimacy of a boudoir, or perhaps a dressing room. Artemis Irenäus introduces us to the sphere of culture and intimate refinement. Here we find the same excellent technical skill that symbolises this Swiss revival, but treated with a freer touch, almost impressionistic in the backgrounds, which contrasts with the precision of the central objects.
- A tale of contrasts: The composition contrasts the satiny softness of the ballet shoes and the lightness of the fur (or feather stole) with the rigour of the antique books and carved wood. It is the story of a life of discipline (dance, study) and luxury, captured in a moment of rest.
- The place of women: The pink slippers are not just an accessory; they are the symbol of an absent body. Placed there, they suggest fatigue after exertion, the duality between public grace and private intimacy. It is a work that speaks of this woman’s world without needing to represent her physically.
- Light and lace: The work on the white lace is remarkable. It seems fragile, almost immaterial, emphasising the precious and fleeting nature of the moment captured.
Artemis Irenäus takes us on a more universal journey exploring the female condition, the passage of time and culture. She demonstrates a desire to reinvent the classic genre by infusing it with a contemporary sensibility.
Three leading figures in female representation.
The three art paintings presented by the gallery create a perfect narrative journey:
- Vestara Psod welcomes us with heritage and melancholy (objects, tradition).
- Artemis Irenäus von Baste introduces us to the realm of culture and intimate refinement.
- Valaine de Ranson finally confronts us with humanity, alive and vibrant, here and now.
These three perspectives, although distinct, form a necessary conversation about Swiss painting today. By restoring narrative figuration to its former glory, Vestara Psod, Artemis Irenäus von Baste and Valaine de Ranson prove that art does not need abstract concepts to touch our hearts: all it needs is a sincere narrative and an exceptional hand.
An invitation to discover art in the present
These three artists are not only outstanding technicians; they are the narrators of a Switzerland that is finally expressing itself boldly. By choosing the freedom of an online gallery, they bypass traditional codes to establish a direct link with the public. Their three perspectives, although distinct, form a necessary conversation about Swiss painting today. By restoring narrative figuration to its former glory, Vestara Psod, Artemis Irenäus von Baste and Valaine de Ranson prove that art does not need abstract concepts to touch our hearts: all it needs is a sincere narrative and an exceptional hand.
The journey does not end here. Each canvas is a gateway to a wider universe. We invite you to cross the threshold and discover their entire body of work. Let yourself be surprised by the depth of detail, the vibrancy of colour and the power of these female voices that are redefining the contours of contemporary Swiss art before our very eyes.
Explore the world of Vestara Psod
Figurative painting by Valaine de Ranson – Swiss art – “Portrait of a young Swiss woman in pyjamas”, oil on canvas.
Valaine de Ranson: the power of expression
Valaine de Ranson’s work lies at the intersection of expressionism and organic figuration. Her painting is a silent cry, an exploration of inner tensions. For her, the body is not an aesthetic object, but the theatre of constantly changing female identity.
Here we have a painting that breathes. Unlike the calm, composed compositions of Vestara or Artemis Irenäus, Valaine de Ranson’s work is an explosion of vigorous brushstrokes and direct light.
- A technique that serves emotion: The treatment of the paint here is almost sculptural. You can feel the texture, the brushstrokes that do not seek to smooth over reality but to make it vibrate. This is the very essence of modern expressionism: technique takes a back seat to the intensity of the gaze.
- The story of everyday life: These “blue pyjamas” are not a costume, they are reality. The posture — arms behind the head, gaze lost beyond the frame — conveys a moment of pause, of reflection, perhaps of weariness or determination. It is an image of the contemporary woman captured in her inner “world”, far from the clichés of academic posing.
- The colour palette: The omnipresence of blue and cool whites beautifully highlights the warmth of the face. This creates an immediate focus on the model’s expression, forcing us to wonder about her thoughts.
Next exhibition, 1 February 2026
Double A: Anja Dallenbach – Ayla Woss
We, women!
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