What the collection is
The Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection at Kunsthaus Zürich is one of Europe’s most significant private art collections, renowned for French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. It is displayed on a dedicated floor of the museum’s contemporary Chipperfield extension. The collection includes works by Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, and others, alongside Old Master paintings, Baroque art, and Swiss works.
The collection offers an encounter with celebrated art and a chance to consider its complex 20th-century history, including the continuing ethical debates around art ownership.
History and provenance
Emil Georg Bührle and the collection
Emil Georg Bührle (1890–1956) was a German-born industrialist who became Switzerland’s wealthiest man during World War II as head of Oerlikon-Bührle, a major arms manufacturer (buehrle.ch). Between 1936 and 1956, he acquired more than 200 artworks, primarily during a period of profound upheaval in the European art market caused by war, persecution, and forced sales (kunsthaus.ch; swissinfo.ch).
Through close ties with Zurich’s social and cultural elite, including the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, Bührle contributed financially to Kunsthaus Zürich and built his collection with guidance from established dealers (news.uzh.ch).
Bührle’s collecting intensified during World War II, when many artworks entered the market under duress, including through persecution and Nazi looting. After his death in 1956, his family established the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection in 1960 to preserve the collection and make it accessible to the public. Until 2021, it was housed in a villa adjacent to Bührle’s former residence (buehrle.ch). In 2021, more than 170 works were placed on long-term loan to Kunsthaus Zürich (kunsthaus.ch; ticinowelcome.ch).
Provenance, restitution, and institutional developments
The collection remains a focal point in international debates about provenance and restitution. Research points to works with histories involving forced sales and Nazi looting. At least 62 works were previously owned by Jewish collectors persecuted during the Nazi era (swissinfo.ch).
Independent historians, including Raphael Gross, have criticized the collection for insufficient transparency and for omitting former Jewish owners from records (The Art Newspaper). In response, the Foundation and Kunsthaus Zürich have intensified provenance research, opened archives, and adopted new partnership frameworks (artdependence.com).
The Foundation and Kunsthaus Zürich have also conducted independent research and reached confidential settlements with heirs, including in the case of Manet’s “La Sultane.” Their collaboration now emphasizes transparency, public accessibility, and ongoing research. Exhibitions such as “A Future for the Past” place the artworks in their historical, social, and ethical contexts (kunsthaus.ch).
What to see
The collection presents late 19th- and early 20th-century European art, including:
- Édouard Manet’s “La Sultane” (c. 1871) Recently involved in a settlement with the heirs of Jewish collector Max Silberberg (The Art Newspaper).
- Claude Monet’s “Garden in Giverny” (1895) An Impressionist landscape.
- Vincent van Gogh’s “The Old Tower” (1884) An early work by Van Gogh.
- Paul Cézanne’s “The Boy in the Red Vest” A work bridging Impressionism and Modernism.
- Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s “Portrait of Georges-Henri Manuel” (1891) A depiction of Parisian life.
- Other notable artists Gauguin, Degas, Renoir, Picasso, Pissarro, Sisley, and Courbet.
Practical visiting information
Opening hours
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00–18:00
- Thursday 10:00–20:00
- Monday Closed
- Public holidays 10:00–18:00
- Closed December 25 and January 1
See the Kunsthaus Zürich opening hours.
Tickets and admission
- Exhibitions including the Bührle Collection CHF 31 standard, CHF 24 reduced
- Collection only CHF 24 standard, CHF 17 reduced
- Children up to 13 years and museum members Free
- Tickets are available online or at the museum through Kunsthaus Zürich ticketing.
Location and getting there
- Address Kunsthaus Zürich, Heimplatz, 8001 Zürich
- Public transport Tram lines 3, 5, 9 and bus line 31 stop at “Kunsthaus.”
- By car Nearby parking is available, including Parkhaus Hirschenplatz and Parkhaus Urania.
Accessibility and amenities
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators, adapted restrooms, and seating areas. Assistance for visitors with disabilities is available upon request. A cloakroom and lockers, café, and museum shop are on site.
Travel tips
- Best time to visit Weekday mornings are ideal for a quieter experience.
- Check for updates Some works may be temporarily unavailable due to ongoing provenance research; consult the official website before your visit.
- Use audio guides The Audiala app offers expert commentary and interactive maps.
Nearby places
The Kunsthaus is well placed for a cultural itinerary that includes Zurich’s Old Town, a walk along Lake Zurich, or a visit to the Swiss National Museum. All three are within walking distance.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are the opening hours?
A: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00–18:00; Thursday: 10:00–20:00; closed Mondays. Public holidays: 10:00–18:00. The museum is closed December 25 and January 1.
Q: How do I buy tickets?
A: Tickets are available online through Kunsthaus Zürich ticketing and at the museum entrance.
Q: Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
A: Yes, all public areas are wheelchair accessible.
Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, guided tours and audio guides are offered in multiple languages.
Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Yes, photography without flash is permitted in most galleries. Permission is required for professional equipment.
Q: What else can I visit nearby?
A: Zurich’s Old Town, the Swiss National Museum, and Lake Zurich are all within walking distance.
