Geneva may not enjoy the same reputation as Paris, Tokyo or Brussels, but it is home to a thriving scene in the “ninth art” of cartoons, comics and graphic novels. This can be attributed in part to Geneva resident Rodolphe Töpffer (1799-1846), who is regarded as the father of the comic – and especially its theory – because he was the first to publish what he termed “lithographic literature”. At the same time, it stems from the city’s long tradition of employing poster art to illustrate social debates and major events in the region from a different perspective with political, sporting or cultural messages, a practice that remains popular on the streets of Geneva to this today. Following a competition launched in 1896 to design the official poster for the National Exhibition, this movement underwent a continual evolution throughout the 20th century. While the focus of comic production moved to the other side of the Atlantic until after the Second World War, the social unrest of 1968 sparked a revival of Geneva-based creativity in this field. Over 150 Geneva artists have made their mark on it since the 1970s. From Gérard Poussin to Aloys and Daniel Ceppi, Albertine, Tom Tirabosco and Frederik Peeters, many have made a name for themselves and proven that this local tradition is alive and well. Zep, a true literary phenomenon, got the inspiration for his character Titeuf – with his famous blonde quiff – from a simple Geneva schoolyard.
Rodolphe Töpffer: Les amours de Mr Vieux Bois (The Loves of Mr Woodenhead), Geneva, 1837 © Bibliothèque de Genève
Henry-Claudius Forestier: Babel Shoe Polish, Babel & Cie, Acacias, Geneva, 1901? © Bibliothèque de Genève
Henri Fehr: Geneva, 16-25 March 1934, 11th International Automobile, Motorcycle and Bicycle Show, Geneva, 1934 © Bibliothèque de Genève
Exem (Emmanuel Excoffier): Say “No” to the rampant privatisation of our public transport, Geneva, 2005 © Bibliothèque de Genève
Detailed description
Category
Canton
Connected traditions
Publications
Danielle Buyssens : Rodolphe Töpffer (1799-1846), de l’intuition à la théorie de la bande dessinée. In : Décor, design et industrie. Les arts appliqués à Genève. Ed. Alexandre Fiette. Paris, 2010, p. 385-394
Jean-Charles Giroud : L’affiche artistique genevoise 1890-1920. Genève, 1991
Jean-Charles Giroud : Les affiches politiques genevoises de l’entre-deux-guerres (Les belles pages de la Bibliothèque de Genève 3). Genève, 2009
Thierry Groensteen, Benoît Peeters : Töpffer, l’invention de la bande dessinée. Paris, 1994
Ariel Herbez : Affiches BD, vingt-cinq ans de création genevoise. Genève, 1996 (nouv. éd. avec catalogue)
Ariel Herbez : Le grand retour de la bande dessinée à Genève. In : Décor, design et industrie. Les arts appliqués à Genève. Ed. Alexandre Fiette. Paris, 2010, p. 399-412
Guy Mérat : A l’école d’arts appliqués (EAA) de Genève, l’illustration et la bande dessinée font banc commun. In : Prix de la Ville de Genève pour la bande dessinée 06. Genève, 2006
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Contact
Centre de formation professionnelle des arts appliqués
Genève
République et canton de Genève
Service cantonal de la culture