Collection
The Cartoonmuseum Basel's collection comprises almost 10’000 original works and around 2000 works on loan. Together, they constitute a representative and high-ranking selection of drawings, cartoons and caricatures drawn in various styles and techniques. The collection includes works by 700 artists from the 20th and 21st centuries and from almost 40 countries. Among them are famous artists such as Jean-Maurice Bosc, Claire Bretécher, Paul Flora, George Grosz, Olaf Gulbransson, Heinrich Kley, Loriot, H.G. Rauch, Ronald Searle, Jean-Jacques Sempé, Erich Sokol, Saul Steinberg, or Tomi Ungerer, among others. The collection contains cartoons with or without words, parodies and pastiches of works of art and artists, caricatures, satirical comments on social and political issues, cultural events and everyday life. All works in the collection are digitalised and indexed according to scientific criteria.
The collection is expanded, whenever an opportunity arises, usually in cooperation with the artists featured in the museum’s exhibitions. We only buy original narrative drawings and caricatures that make a critical comment on social issues and that match the high artistic standards of the museum. The museum considers established artists of national and international renown as well as promising young talent.
