ART(H)ÜR

Behind this symbolic and easy-to-remember name is Yves Guignard, doctor in art history at the University of Lausanne based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Art(h)ür is both a play on words about art as well as a door (in German, Tür) to be opened. Two brackets like doorways leading to an aspirated H, a soundless letter, a breath, an inspiration. Everything really starts there, after all.

Following the completion of a thesis on the art collector and art dealer Wilhelm Uhde (1874–1947), I acquired considerable expertise on the European art market of the first half of the 20th century.

Having worked as a tour guide for the Beyeler Foundation (Riehen/Basel) for the past fifteen years, I have been confronted with the main modern artists active between the 19th century and the present day.

During the last few years, I have designed and built databases for private collectors – most notably the family of the painter Balthus –in order to browse through historical archives and art collections.

Two years as an assistant at the Kunsthaus Zürich taught me how to curate exhibitions and to take care of collections.

All these years in the art world have allowed me to build up a solid network of restorers, framers, photographers, provenance researchers, publishers and printers with whom I know how to work.

I am finally writing and publishing on the above topics.

This website aims to give a few insights into my work in the different langages (EN, FR, DE) I work whit.