Beyeler Foundation, Riehen, Switzerland

The Beyeler Foundation owns and oversees the art collection of Hildy (1922-2008) and Ernst (1921-2010) Beyeler. In 1982 they commissioned Renzo Piano to design a museum to house their private collection. By building Renzo Piano's museum structure in 1997, the Beyeler Foundation made its collection permanently accessible to the public.

The Beyeler Foundation presents 140 works of modern classics, including 23 Picassos. The overall collection of 200 works of classic modernism highlight features typical of the period from Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh to Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Francis Bacon. The paintings appear alongside some 25 objects of tribal art from Africa, Oceania and Alaska. A third of the exhibition space is reserved for special exhibitions staged to complement the permanent collection.

The culmination of Beyeler's career came in 2007 when all the works that passed through his hands were reunited at the museum for a grand exhibition that included van Gogh's 1889 Portrait of Postman Roulin, Lichtenstein's Plus and Minus III and a huge expressive drip painting by Jackson Pollock. The collection is expanding, particularly in terms of works made after 1950 (recent acquisitions include pieces by Louise Bourgeois and Wolfgang Tillmans).

Situated adjacent to the museum building, the late-Baroque Villa Berower houses the museum's administration department and a restaurant.

References:

Wikipedia

Museums in Switzerland

User Reviews

Sina Maria (31 days ago)
100% one of my favourite museums in basel with amazing art on display! also both interior and exterior are stunning, especially the garden around the museum. the fact that everybody under the age of 25 can enter for free is another plus!

Ozge Ustundag (32 days ago)
We attended the Matisse exhibition during a museum night. While it was crowded, the lively energy of the people in the garden was wonderful. However, the crowd inside made it difficult to enjoy the exhibition fully. Besides Matisse’s works, the museum’s permanent collection area was closed to visitors. The workshop areas included activities like drawing flowers on walls in Matisse’s style and painting your own tote bag. Overall, the atmosphere was delightful.

T Foulk (4 months ago)
Exhibitions of the highest quality, well thought through and perfectly executed. The setting is a dream and the clean interior layout allows you to enjoy the works up close and in your own time. Always a pleasure.

Alexandra M. Ledbetter (4 months ago)
We came for a special Matisse exhibit but found the regular collection even more impressive. The museum is easily accessible from central Basel by a train which stops right in front of the museum’s entrance and is free for tourists.

Sam Smith (4 months ago)
Lovely historic and renovated property turned luxury art museum featuring many modern art masters and beautiful grounds. NOTE if you’re looking to relax and recharge (literally, as in your phones), the cafe is a little informal, with no outlets to use. Pro tip: walk or bike ride along the river from the city center for a scenic and relaxed journey to the museum.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Beyeler Foundation

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus