Detail of Mary in prayer in her chamber from a copper engraving

Graphische Sammlung Der Eth

Graphische Sammlung der ETH Zürich: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction

Located in the heart of Zürich, the Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich is one of Switzerland’s foremost collections dedicated to works on paper. Established in 1867, this institution has grown from a research resource into a vibrant, accessible public collection. With over 160,000 works by approximately 8,500 artists—spanning from the 15th century to the present—visitors can encounter masterpieces by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Francisco de Goya, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and significant Swiss and contemporary artists such as Claudia Comte, Athene Galiciadis, and Andrea Heller.

This guide covers everything you need to know for a memorable visit: opening hours, ticketing, accessibility, highlights of the collection, conservation efforts, and practical travel tips. Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking for deeper engagement with Zürich’s cultural scene, the Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich offers a uniquely enriching experience.

For current exhibitions, events, and up-to-date visitor information, refer to the official Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich website and the ETH Zürich campus collections portal.

Living room in a rustic rural house with a family and a cat, detailed aquatint and etching artwork

Living room in rural Appenzell house with family and cat aquatint etching

The three Moirae depicted in a copper engraving, inspired by Rosso Fiorentino and René Boyvin

Lithograph depicting habitants of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden in traditional clothing

Group of habitants from the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden in traditional attire lithograph

Lithograph portrait of women from Swiss cantons Thurgau, Vaud, St. Gallen, Appenzell in traditional attire

Alpine dairy farmers kitchen in Appenzell Innerrhoden with frying pan and kitchen tools

Alpine dairy farmers cooking in kitchen with traditional utensils in canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden

Illustration of the village of Gais in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland

Illustration of the village of Gais in Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton

Hermitage at Wildkirchli in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden depicted in aquatint and etching on paper

Hermitage at Wildkirchli in Appenzell Innerrhoden Canton

Village of Gontenbad scenic view with traditional buildings and natural surroundings

Scenic village of Gontenbad with a river and traditional houses

Saint Barbara etching and engraving artwork inspired by Jan van Eyck

Saint Veronica holding a veil with the image of Christ's face

Copper engraving of Saint Peter and Saint Paul with shroud after Meister E. S.

Saint James the Less Apostle copper engraving from 12 sitting Apostles series

Hand-colored political satire engraving by James Gillray titled The Political See-Saw depicting Bonaparte manipulating Swiss aristocrats and democrats, highlighting the annexation of the Canton of Wallis into the République rhodanienne and later Département du Simplon, dated 1802

Copper engraving of Saint Jude Thaddeus by Israhel van Meckenem

Engraved goblet after Andrea Mantegna by Wenceslaus Hollar

Woodcut print of Stadttor gate by Käthe Hoch

Peace with coronation of Mary lithography after Maso Finiguerra

Peace with Virgin Mary on throne with Child and angels steel engraving

Kitchen of alpine dairymen in Appenzell Innerrhoden canton with traditional equipment aquatint engraving

Traditional alpine dairymen kitchen in canton Appenzell Innerrhoden

Dance of the Dryads by Rosso Fiorentino, showing mythical dryads dancing around an oak tree

Annunciation print after Fra Angelico's artwork, steel engraving on wove paper

Annunciation print after Fra Angelico, steel engraving on wove paper

Weaving room in Appenzell Ausserrhoden with traditional looms and workers

Weaving room in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden with looms and workers

Weissbad aquatint and etching on wove paper artwork

Weissbad aquatint and etching artwork on wove paper depicting a scenic landscape

Scenic view of village Weissbad in Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden with traditional Swiss houses and green mountains

Wildkirchli caves at Ebenalp in the canton of Appenzell Innerroden, Switzerland

Wildkirchli caves at Ebenalp in Appenzell Innerroden canton with rocky cliffs and blue sky

Wildkirchli with Kapelle St. Michael in Appenzell Innerrhoden Canton

Wildkirchli caves and Kapelle St. Michael in Appenzell Innerrhoden

About the Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich

History and Development

The Graphische Sammlung was founded in 1867 by Gottfried Kinkel as a resource for academic study in art history, archaeology, and architecture. Early acquisitions included thousands of sheets and bound engravings from Swiss artist Rudolf Bühlmann. The collection expanded through major donations, such as Heinrich Schulthess-von Meiss’s 1894 gift and Johann Heinrich Landolt’s earlier bequest, which broadened the scope from late Gothic works to modern Swiss and international artists.

Originally reserved for research and teaching, the collection opened to the public in 1891 and has been housed in the ETH main building’s southwest wing since 1924. Today, it stands as a leading institution for graphic art, recognized for its quality, diversity, and commitment to both scholarly research and public engagement.

Scope and Highlights

Size: Over 160,000 works on paper.
Artists Represented: More than 8,500, including Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Francisco de Goya, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Louise Bourgeois, Emmanuelle Antille, Silvia Bächli, Claudia Comte, Athene Galiciadis, and Andrea Heller.
Chronological Range: 15th century to the present.
Focus: Old master prints and drawings, modern and contemporary art, Swiss and international artists.

A significant portion of the collection is digitized, allowing researchers and the general public to access high-resolution images and metadata online (ETH Zürich Collection Overview).

Visiting Information

Location and Contact

Address: ETH Zürich Main Building, Room HG E 52, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich (ETH Zürich Campus Map)
Contact: Phone +41 44 632 40 46 | Email: [email protected]

Opening Hours & Admission

Exhibition Space: Open daily, 10:00–17:00 (myswitzerland.com)
Study Room/Library: Monday–Friday, 14:00–16:45 (by appointment) (ETH Zürich Library)
Admission: Free for all visitors; no tickets required.

Special Closures (2025)

Closed: 18–21 April (Easter), after midday on 28 April (Sechseläuten), 1 May (Labour Day), 29 May (Ascension Day), 7–9 June (Whitsuntide).
For updates and special events, check the official agenda.

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access: Fully accessible, with elevators and accessible restrooms available (ETH Zürich Accessibility).
Assistance: Staff can provide support—advance notification recommended for special needs.

How to Get There

Tram: Lines 6 and 10 to “ETH/Universitätsspital” (Google Maps)
Train: Zürich Hauptbahnhof is ~15 minutes by tram or a 20-minute walk.
Bus: Multiple lines serve the area.
Parking: Limited; public transport is recommended.

Visitor Facilities & Policies

Cloakroom: Unguarded; large bags and umbrellas must be stored (Urban Sketchers Zurich).
Sketching: Allowed with dry media (e.g., pencil); bring your own materials and folding stool.
Photography: Generally not permitted unless specifically allowed.
Guided Tours: Bookable for groups and schools via the official website.
Study Room: By appointment for research access to non-exhibited works.
Shop: Catalogues and publications available onsite and online.
Wi-Fi: Free throughout the building.
Children: Welcome when supervised.
Quiet Environment: Please be considerate, especially in study areas.

Exhibitions and Programming

The Graphische Sammlung presents four rotating exhibitions annually, featuring both historical and contemporary works on paper.

Recent and Upcoming Highlights

“NEOGEO – Décalages féminins” (April–July 2025): Showcasing contemporary female artists in the geometric abstraction movement (Press Release).
Collaborations with Edition VFO and other institutions bring special print editions and events.
Regular artist talks, workshops, and educational programs are featured; check the agenda for details.

Research and Digital Access

Extensive digitization projects make over 61,500 works accessible online (e-gs online catalogue).
Study rooms and conservation labs support scholarly work by appointment.

Conservation Efforts

Preserving delicate works on paper is a primary mission:

Climate-Controlled Storage: Stable temperature and humidity.
Archival Materials: Acid-free supports and storage.
Light Management: Limiting exposure during exhibitions.
Digitization: Reduces handling and increases public access (ETH Zürich Online Presence).

Conservation is supported by collaborations with ETH Zürich’s scientific departments and foundations such as the Erna und Curt Burgauer Stiftung and Ernst Göhner Stiftung (Project Support).

Practical Travel Tips & Nearby Attractions

Cafés and Restaurants: bQm Kulturcafe & Bar, TimeOut, Hot Pasta (zuerich.com).
Polyterrasse: Offers panoramic views of Zürich.
Nearby Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich, Swiss National Museum, and ETH Library.
Campus Collections: Explore the Earth Science Collection and other ETH Zürich resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the visiting hours?
A: Exhibition space is open daily, 10:00–17:00. Study room open weekdays, 14:00–16:45 by appointment.

Q: Is admission free?
A: Yes, there is no charge and no tickets required.

Q: Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, including elevators and accessible restrooms.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Photography is generally not permitted unless otherwise indicated.

Q: Can I sketch in the exhibitions?
A: Yes, dry media are allowed. Bring your own supplies.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, for groups and schools; book in advance.

Tips for a Memorable Visit

Check the agenda before visiting for current exhibitions and events.
Arrive early for a quieter experience.
Bring sketching supplies if you enjoy drawing.
Combine your visit with other cultural highlights in Zürich.
Respect all visitor guidelines to help preserve the collection.

Stay Connected

Stay updated on exhibitions and events via the official Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich website, and follow their social media channels. Enhance your visit with the Audiala app, offering audio guides and interactive content.

Summary

The Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich offers a rich cultural experience that connects historical depth with contemporary innovation. Free admission, accessible facilities, and a dynamic exhibition program make it a must-visit for anyone interested in graphic arts and Zürich’s cultural landscape. The institution’s conservation and digitization efforts ensure that its treasures remain accessible for generations. Plan your visit by consulting the agenda and official website.

Sources and Further Reading

Visiting the Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich: Hours, Tickets, History, and Visitor Guide, 2025 (https://gs.ethz.ch/en/about-the-collection/)
Visiting Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich: Collection Highlights, Visitor Information, and Conservation Efforts, 2025 (https://gs.ethz.ch/aktuell/)
Visiting the Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich: Exhibitions, Programming, and Practical Visitor Guide, 2025 (https://gs.ethz.ch/en/)
Visitor Information and Accessibility, 2025 (https://gs.ethz.ch/)