Artist

1947–50Trains at the Max von Mühlenen art school, Berne

1969First large-format realistic paintings

1970Family and group scenes, ‘situation’ portraits

1972Takes part in documenta V, Kassel

1976Moves to Rüschegg

1978Takes part in Venice Biennale

1980Begins portrait series with self-portrait, followed by ‘Irene’, ‘Tabea’, ‘Verena’, ‘Christina’, ‘Johanna’

1986Temporarily abandons painting, first large-format woodcuts

1994Resumes painting; by 1999 produces
‘Gräser I-IV’ and ‘Silvia’ (1997/8)

1997Receives Goslar ‘Kaiserring’ award

1999Solo show at Venice Biennale

2002museum franz gertsch opens in Burgdorf

2005Retrospective at the museum franz gertsch and Kunstmuseum Bern; exhibition also staged in Aachen, Tübingen and Vienna (2006)

2007Begins ‘Four Seasons’ cycle with ‘Autumn’ (2008),
followed by ‘Summer’ (2009) and ‘Winter’ (2009)

2011Completes ‘Spring’