The prestigious Kunstmuseum Basel is the largest art museum in Switzerland, with an impressive collection of paintings and sculpture spanning the early 15th century to the modern day.
t Dating from 1627, David Presenting Saul with the Head of Goliath is a smallscale painting of the well-known biblical story; it is one of Rembrandt’s 3 earlier works.
Ranging from 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, through 19th-century works by Delacroix and Pissarro, to 20th-century art, including works by Rousseau, Picasso and Dalí, the Kunstmuseum Basel’s collection is vast. The galleries on the first floor of the museum’s main building are hung with works of art from the 15th to 19th centuries, while the second floor is devoted to 20th-century art. Located across the street from the original 1930s building, a concrete minimalist extension (connected to the main building by an underground passageway) hosts special exhibitions and changing displays from the permanent collection.
Entry to the museum is free on the first Sunday of every month and also between 5 and 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. There are regular guided tours, including some in English.
t Inside the Kunstmuseum Basel, with its colourful stained-glass windows
ART BASEL
Each year, members of the art world gather in the city for Art Basel. This internationally renowned art fair – and an absolute highlight of the art calendar – is a week-long celebration of top modern and contemporary works from around the globe.
Did You Know?
The museum contains the largest collection of Holbein paintings in the world.