Kunsthaus Zürich
Zürich
Kunsthaus Zürich is the largest art museum in Switzerland by exhibition area, offering a comprehensive collection that spans from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, with a strong focus on Swiss artists. Founded and managed by the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, the museum's collection includes masterpieces by Alberto Giacometti, Edvard Munch, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh, among others. The original museum building, designed by Karl Moser and Robert Curjel, opened in 1910 and features notable Neo-Grec Secession style interiors and façade bas-reliefs by Oskar Kiefer. Over the years, the museum expanded with additions in 1925, 1958, and 1976. A major extension designed by David Chipperfield opened in 2020, increasing the museum's size by over 80% and making it the largest Swiss art museum by space. The extension features sandstone cladding and connects underground to the original building. The museum plays a vital cultural role in Zurich, hosting significant exhibitions and maintaining a free admission day on Wednesdays. It is conveniently accessible via the Zürich tram system at the Kunsthaus stop. The institution has also been involved in provenance research controversies related to artworks from the Emil Bührle collection, reflecting its commitment to ethical curation and transparency.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to plan their visit on Wednesdays to enjoy free admission to the collection. Booking tickets in advance is recommended during major exhibitions. The museum is easily accessible by tram via the Zürich, Kunsthaus stop. Membership offers benefits including free entry and exclusive event invitations. Check the official website for current exhibitions and program schedules.
Interesting facts
- •Kunsthaus Zürich is the largest art museum in Switzerland by exhibition area, covering 11,500 square meters.
- •The museum holds the most extensive collection of works by Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti.
- •It houses one of the most significant collections of Dada art worldwide.
- •The museum owns the most representative collection of Edvard Munch's paintings outside Norway.
- •The 2020 extension by David Chipperfield increased the museum's size by more than 80%, making it the largest Swiss art museum by space.
- •The museum is located near the Schauspielhaus Zürich and is served by the Zürich tram stop named Kunsthaus.
- •A commemorative plaque honors Lydia Escher, a prominent Zurich art patron, at the museum's front, with the adjacent square named Lydia Welti-Escher Hof.
History
The Kunsthaus Zürich traces its origins to the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, founded in 1896 from the merger of two local art societies.
The original museum building, designed by Karl Moser and Robert Curjel, opened in 1910 and was expanded several times in the 20th century.
In 2020, a significant extension by architect David Chipperfield was inaugurated, greatly increasing exhibition space.
Throughout its history, the museum has been a key institution for Swiss art, housing major collections including those of Alberto Giacometti and Edvard Munch.
The museum's development reflects Zurich's growth as a cultural center and its commitment to preserving and promoting art.
Place Guide
Moserbau (Original Building)1910
Designed by Karl Moser and Robert Curjel and opened in 1910, this building features preserved Neo-Grec Secession style interiors and façade bas-reliefs by Oskar Kiefer. It houses parts of the museum's historic collection.
David Chipperfield Extension2020
Opened in 2020, this sandstone-clad rectangular building increased the museum's exhibition space by over 80%. It includes two upper floors dedicated to art and connects underground to the original museum across Heimplatz.
Collection Highlights
The museum's collection includes major works by Alberto Giacometti, Edvard Munch, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, René Magritte, and Swiss artists such as Johann Heinrich Füssli and Ferdinand Hodler.
Contact
Phone: 044 253 84 84