Kunsthaus Zürich

The Kunsthaus Zürich is in terms of area the biggest art museum of Switzerland and houses one of the most important art collections in Switzerland,[1] assembled over time by the local art association called Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft. The collection spans from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, with an emphasis on Swiss art.

Kunsthaus Zürich
Kunsthaus Zürich in 2011
Interactive fullscreen map
LocationZürich, Switzerland
Coordinates47°22′13″N 8°32′53″E
DirectorChristoph Becker
Websitewww.kunsthaus.ch

Architecture

The old museum part was drawn-up by architects Karl Moser and Robert Curjel and opened in 1910. Particularly notable are the several preserved Moser interiors in the original section of the museum, decorated in masterful Neo-Grec version of Secession style. The bas-reliefs on the facade are by Moser's longtime collaborator Oskar Kiefer. The original museum building was extended in 1925, 1958 and 1976.[2]

A $230 million extension by London-based David Chipperfield was opened in 2020.[3] Half of the extension's budget came from the city and canton of Zurich, with the other half provided by private donors.[4] Chipperfield's design is a massive rectangular sandstone-covered building. The extension will add 5,040 sq ft (468 m2) of galleries, increasing display space by 78%. The Kunsthaus will become the largest Swiss art museum, overtaking the Kunstmuseum Basel in the available space but not the collection. The two upper floors will be for art, with facilities at ground level and a basement link under the street to the original museum across the street in Heimplatz.[2]

Lydia Escher (1858–1891), being a prominent Zürich patron of the arts, was honored by the Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster association on the occasion of her 150th anniversary by a commemorative plaque, located at the front of the building.[5] The place was baptized on 20 August 2008 by the city of Zürich as Lydia Welti-Escher Hof.[6]

Collection

The museum's collection includes major works by artists including Claude Monet (several works including an enormous water lily painting), Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, Jacques Lipchitz and the Swiss Alberto Giacometti. Other Swiss artists such as Johann Heinrich Füssli, Ferdinand Hodler or from recent times, Pipilotti Rist and Peter Fischli are also represented. In addition, works by Vincent van Gogh, Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse and René Magritte can be found here.

Management

Leadership
  • 1909–1949: Wilhelm Wartmann
  • 1950–1975: René Wehrli
  • 1976–2000: Felix Baumann
  • 2000–2022: Christoph Becker[4]
  • 2022-present: Ann Demeester

Attendance

In 2021, the Kunsthaus had 382,603 visitors.[7] On Wednesday admission to the Collection is free of charge for all visitors.[8]

Public transport

The gallery is served by a stop on the Zürich tram system, known as Zürich, Kunsthaus. This is located on Heimplatz, between the museum building and the Schauspielhaus Zürich.

  • Berner Nelkenmeister [de], Johannes der Täufer in der Wüste
    Berner Nelkenmeister, Johannes der Täufer in der Wüste
  • August Macke, Landschaft mit Kühen und Kamel
    August Macke, Landschaft mit Kühen und Kamel
  • Piet Mondrian, Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow
    Piet Mondrian, Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow

Controversy

The integrated artworks from the collection of the arms dealer Emil Bührle has caused discussion and criticism due to concern that some of the artworks may have been sold under duress by Jews persecuted by Nazis during the Third Reich.[9] Critics say that the ownership history of the artworks has not been sufficiently clarified and, in January 2021, a petition was launched to demand access for impartial international researchers.[10][11]

References
  1. O'Ceallaigh, John (9 June 2017). "The Director's Guide: Kunsthaus Zurich" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  2. "Martin Bailey (June 20, 2014), A tale of two extensions, The Art Newspaper". Archived from the original on 25 June 2014.
  3. Sabine von Fischer (December 2020). "Kunsthaus-Erweiterung: Kunst allein kann diese Leere füllen". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German).
  4. "Kunsthaus Zurich counts down to 'quantum leap' for Swiss art scene after Chipperfield expansion". The Art Newspaper - International art news and events. 11 December 2020.
  5. "Ehrung der Kunstmäzenin Lydia Welti-Escher (press release)" (PDF) (in German). Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  6. Stadtrat von Zürich (20 August 2008). "Strassenbenennungskommission; Benennung von "Lydia-Welti-Escher-Hof" (press release)" (in German). Stadt Zürich. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  7. Kunsthaus Annual Report 2022
  8. "Kunsthaus Zürich Collection". www.kunsthaus.ch. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009.
  9. "Schwarzbuch Bührle: Raubkunst für das Kunsthaus Zürich? - The Bührle Black Book: Looted Art for the Kunsthaus Zurich?". www.lootedart.com. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  10. Hickley, Catherine. "An arms dealer casts a shadow over Kunsthaus Zurich". www.theartnewspaper.com. The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  11. "Swiss parliament urged to take action on Nazi-looted art amid Kunsthaus Zurich controversy". www.theartnewspaper.com. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022. Zurich museum's displays of the collection of arms dealer Emil Georg Bührle have prompted criticism and a national debate
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