Max Sulzbachner grew up as the son of a carpenter. He is better known in Basel by his nickname "Sulzbi" and found painting in 1923-24 after doing various odd jobs in Paris. Sulzbachner's early work is characterized by his closeness to the Basel artist group Rot-Blau. Like his artist friends Hermann Scherer and Albert Müller, he was particularly enthusiastic about the expressionism of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, but was also always interested in the theatrical and stage-like and in popular festivals. The original landscape scenery of Mendrisiotto, the Basel trade fair, circus stages and other scenes of an exciting or bizarre event were among his favorite sources of inspiration from an early age. From 1924 Max participated regularly in exhibitions and was one of the co-founders of the Rot-Blau II group and the Basel group 33. Later he was also successful as a set designer and thus shaped the appearance of Swiss inter-war and post-war theater. He was also a passionate carnival enthusiast, painted lanterns, wrote and illustrated schnitzel banks and designed costumes. So he always remained connected to the local folk art and was very much appreciated for his great commitment. The reference to local events and political conditions as well as the tendency towards stylistic exaggeration through to caricature and satire remained characteristic of his entire artistic work.