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 the years 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 in 2011 | |
Interactive fullscreen map | |
| Location | Zürich, Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°22′13″N 8°32′53″E / 47.37028°N 8.54806°ECoordinates: 47°22′13″N 8°32′53″E / 47.37028°N 8.54806°E |
| Director | Christoph Becker |
| Website | www |
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. Furthermore, works from Vincent van Gogh, Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse and René Magritte are to be found.
Management
Leadership
- 1909–1949: Wilhelm Wartmann
- 1950–1975: René Wehrli
- 1976–2000: Felix Baumann
- 2000–present: Christoph Becker[4]
Attendance
In 2013, the Kunsthaus had 315,000 visitors.[2] In a press release (dating 12 January 2017) the institution declared to have reached a record of 320'000 visitors in 2016.[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 Kunsthaus. This is located on Pfauenplatz, between the museum building and the Schauspielhaus Zürich.
Gallery
Berner Nelkenmeister, Johannes der Täufer in der Wüste
August Macke, Landschaft mit Kühen und Kamel
Piet Mondrian, Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow
J. M. William Turner, Die Teufelsbrücke St. Gotthard
Johann Heinrich Wüest, Der Rhonegletscher
Arnold Böcklin, Der Krieg
Édouard Manet, Die Flucht des Rochefort
Henri Rousseau, Am Waldrand
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
- ^ O'Ceallaigh, John (9 June 2017). "The Director's Guide: Kunsthaus Zurich" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ a b c . Archived from the original on 25 June 2014.
- ^ Sabine von Fischer (December 2020). "Kunsthaus-Erweiterung: Kunst allein kann diese Leere füllen". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German).
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Ehrung der Kunstmäzenin Lydia Welti-Escher (press release)" (PDF) (in German). Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ Stadtrat von Zürich (20 August 2008). "Strassenbenennungskommission; Benennung von "Lydia-Welti-Escher-Hof" (press release)" (in German). Stadt Zürich. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ Kunsthaus Press Release
- ^ . www.kunsthaus.ch. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009.
- ^ "Schwarzbuch Bührle: Raubkunst für das Kunsthaus Zürich? - The Bührle Black Book: Looted Art for the Kunsthaus Zurich?". www.lootedart.com. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Hickley, Catherine. "An arms dealer casts a shadow over Kunsthaus Zurich". www.theartnewspaper.com. The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Swiss parliament urged to take action on Nazi-looted art amid Kunsthaus Zurich controversy". www.theartnewspaper.com. 10 December 2021. 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
External links
- Official website, with information on its history and collections
- Official online collection
- Kunsthaus Zürich within Google Arts & Culture