Max Frisch 1911-91

Previous Next

Frisch during the shooting of Zurich Transit, his screenplay based on an episode from his novel Wilderness of Mirrors/Gantenbein. Zurich, autumn 1965. Pia Zanetti

Frisch in conversation with Swiss fellow author Jörg Steiner at a conference also attended by Czech authors at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute near Zurich. November 1968. Pia Zanetti

The author in the workshop of his friend, the artist Gottfried Honegger, in Gockhausen, near Zurich. Frisch was at this time working on his novel, Montauk. Pia Zanetti

Frisch during a break from filming the cemetery scene in Zurich Transit. Zurich, autumn 1965. Pia Zanetti

The author at home in his apartment in the Via Margutta, in which he lived from 1963-1964 with Marianne Frisch-Oellers. Rome, 1964. Pia Zanetti

"It is always a relief to read first-class newspapers. They simply know more." Frisch lived in Rome from 1960-1964. Here he is seen at the newspaper kiosk with children's author Ulla Kampmann. Pia Zanetti

Frisch and Frisch-Oellers with guests at their apartment in the Via Margutta in Rome. Zanetti says that a wordplay by Frisch-Oellers led to the appearance of the saw. Pia Zanetti

Frisch looks on as a firebreather gives a show in Rome. Pia Zanetti

Frisch in conversation with director Bernhard Wicki during the shooting of Zurich Transit. Pia Zanetti

The author in Rome (left) and in Zurich (right). Pia Zanetti

Frisch at artist Honegger's workshop in Gockhausen, near Zurich. Pia Zanetti

Frisch and Golo Mann during the conference with Czech authors at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. Rüschlikon, near Zurich, 1968. Pia Zanetti

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5
• Picture 6
• Picture 7
• Picture 8
• Picture 9
• Picture 10
• Picture 11
• Picture 12

The Swiss author in Rome and Zurich, as witnessed by Swiss photographer Pia Zanetti.

After finishing her training, Zanetti spent eight years in London and Rome as a freelance photographer. While in Rome, she got to know the celebrated writer Max Frisch – who died 20 years ago on April 4. The resulting black and white pictures offer a snapshot of Frisch’s life in Rome and in his home city of Zurich.