Kunstmuseum Bern

Kunstmuseum Bern. It is the oldest art museum in Switzerland with a permanent collection and is renowned for its holdings spanning eight centuries. The museum's collection ranges from the Middle Ages to the present day, with particular strengths in Swiss art, Italian Trecento, and 19th-century French art. It gained international prominence in 2014 following its designation as a beneficiary in the controversial Gurlitt collection bequest.

History

The institution was founded in 1879, opening its doors in a new building designed by Eugène Jobin on Hodlerstrasse. Its early acquisitions were shaped by directors like Max Huggler, who significantly expanded the collection of modern art. A pivotal moment occurred in the mid-20th century with the receipt of the Hermann and Margrit Rupf Foundation collection, a major assemblage of Cubist and other modernist works. The museum's historical narrative was profoundly altered by the 2014 acceptance of the Gurlitt collection, a vast trove of Nazi-looted art assembled by Hildebrand Gurlitt, triggering extensive international provenance research efforts.

Collections

The permanent collection is anchored by exceptional works of Bernese Gothic art, including pieces by the Master of the Carnation. It holds the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Ferdinand Hodler, featuring major paintings like ''The Night''. Significant holdings include Paul Cézanne's ''Mont Sainte-Victoire'', Wassily Kandinsky's early abstractions, and key works by Pablo Picasso and Juan Gris from the Rupf Foundation. The modern and contemporary sections feature substantial works by Franz Gertsch, Meret Oppenheim, and Joseph Beuys, alongside important pieces from Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism.

Architecture

The original 1879 building, a prime example of late 19th-century museum architecture, was later expanded with a modernist annex opened in 1983. A major transformation was completed in 2023 with the addition of the new Hodlerstrasse building, designed by the Karakusevic Carson firm in collaboration with Christ & Gantenbein. This expansion created a new entrance and significantly increased exhibition space, allowing for a more comprehensive presentation of the collection. The architectural ensemble now forms a cohesive cultural complex near the Bundeshaus and the Bern Historical Museum.

Exhibitions and programs

The museum organizes a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, often developed in partnership with institutions like the Centre Pompidou and the Museum of Modern Art. It has presented major retrospectives on artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Klee, and Mona Hatoum. Its educational outreach includes guided tours, lectures by scholars like Bice Curiger, and workshops. The museum also oversees the Zentrum Paul Klee, dedicated to the artist Paul Klee, which operates as a separate entity in Bern.

Management and funding

The museum is a public institution owned by the Canton of Bern and the Municipality of Bern, with operational support from the Kunstmuseum Bern Association. Its director since 2016 has been Nina Zimmer, who previously held positions at the Kunsthalle Basel. Key funding sources include the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation, the Beyeler Foundation, and the UBS Culture Foundation. The museum's governance and financial operations are regularly reviewed by the Swiss Federal Audit Office and the Cantonal Parliament of Bern.

Category:Art museums and galleries in Switzerland Category:Museums in Bern Category:1879 establishments in Switzerland