Modern Reloaded

Compact in size, outstanding in quality: The collection at the Kunst Museum Winterthur is considered one of the finest examples of classical modernism—in Switzerland and beyond.

On January 2, 1916, the Museum of “Art and Science”—as the inscription above the entrance reads—opened its doors. It was an expression of the civic spirit of Winterthur’s prominent collectors and patrons. In its opening year, French modern art made its first major appearance in Switzerland. Since then, art has evolved radically, yet the exhibition spaces have continued to provide an ideal setting—including for contemporary art, which was given its own space in 1994 in the extension designed by architects Gigon/Guyer. The infrastructure, particularly the wall coverings and lighting systems, has since become outdated; their urgent renovation will result in a six-month closure.

This makes it possible to rethink the collection and present it in a focused new installation. The greats of Modernism continue to be represented by masterpieces: Claude Monet’s *Water Lilies*, Vincent van Gogh’s *The Postman*, Piet Mondrian’s grid compositions, and Paul Klee’s subtle dissolution of constructivist rigor in his enigmatic painting *Blühendes*. In Winterthur, this also includes key works by Alice Bailly, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Meret Oppenheim, Verena Loewensberg, Maria Lassnig…

The exhibition continues with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, which gave way to classical modernism—spanning from Cubism to Surrealism and Constructivist art. Postwar modernism begins with the body of work by Alberto Giacometti and Giorgio Morandi, complemented by selected works of postwar American art. The Winterthur Collection is not only a reflection of developments in art; it is also a tribute to the collectors—Hedy and Arthur Hahnloser, Richard Bühler, Heinrich Wolfer, and Clara and Emil Friedrich-Jezler—who were committed to the art of their respective eras.

Curated by Konrad Bitterli, Andrea Lutz, and David Schmidhauser

Contributors and additional information:

Piet Mondrian

Joe Baer

Vincent van Gogh

Claude Monet

Pablo Picasso

Alice Bailly

Sophie Taeuber-Arp

Hans Arp

Paul Klee

Meret Oppenheim

Verena Loewensberg

Maria Lassnig