Béatus Zumstein

Béatus Zumstein, more commonly known as Beat, was born on August 2, 1927, in Bern, Switzerland. The son of an accountant, he grew up in an environment dominated by rigor and rationality. However, he found refuge and inspiration in the surrounding nature, developing a passion for art from a young age.

Beat began his artistic training at the School of Arts and Crafts in Bern, where he trained as a graphic designer and sculptor. In 1946, he held his first exhibition featuring a series of watercolors that caught the attention of critics. Two years later, he showcased direct-carved sculptures and wood engravings, some of which were compared to the works of Gauguin and Edvard Munch.

In 1951, he moved to Paris and identified himself as a “figurative artist.” However, his work quickly evolved towards an abstraction influenced by realism. His pieces conveyed a relentless search for new motifs and techniques, combining vibrant colors and dynamic forms. By 1960, he described himself as an “abstract watercolorist with a strong realistic influence”. Nonetheless, his artistic journey was marked by personal and professional obstacles.

In 1967, he married Colette Lévy, an art enthusiast who gave him two children, Dorothée and Michaël. Despite achieving success in his exhibitions, in 1970, he suffered a severe head trauma following an assault, leaving lasting effects on his physical and mental health.

Despite these injuries and hardships, Beat continued to paint, exploring new styles and techniques but increasingly found himself immersed in despair and solitude. In 1984, while he had returned to Switzerland, he passed away studently.

Today, Béatus Zumstein is regarded as a free-spirited artist whose work resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. His unique journey makes him an emblematic figure of 20th-century Swiss art.