The Kunstmuseum Basel presents 'The First Homosexuals: The Birth of New Identities 1869-1939', an exhibition tracing the emergence of same-sex desire and gender diversity in visual art from the coining of the word 'homosexual' in 1869 to the outbreak of World War II. Curated by Len Schaller, the show features around 80 works by artists such as Ludwig von Hofmann, Andreas Andersen, and Paul Camenisch, and previously appeared at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago before its expanded Basel iteration, which places special emphasis on Swiss artists.
This exhibition matters because it recovers a largely overlooked chapter of art history, demonstrating how artists openly grappled with homosexual and trans identities during a period of profound social upheaval. By foregrounding works that gave visual form to same-sex desire before the repressions of the mid-20th century, the show challenges conventional narratives and affirms the long-standing presence of queer perspectives in the visual arts, contributing to ongoing conversations about identity, representation, and inclusion in museums.