The fascinating history of Basel's public art collection (the Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel) can be traced back to the 17th century. When it acquired of the Amerbach Kabinett (a Humanist- inspired collection begun in the pre-Reformation era), Basel became the first municipality to possess its own art collection long before princely collections were made accessible to the public in other cities of Europe. Travelling members of the ARTKABINETT art collectors social network will be visiting this museum during the upcoming Art 42 Basel.
On the death of Basilius Amerbach (1533-1591), grandson of the famous printer and son of a distinguished lawyer who had been a close friend of Erasmus, the encyclopaedic collection contained not only some 60 paintings (among them 15 by Hans Holbein the Younger) and a very large portfolio of drawings and prints, but natural objects, ethnographic artefacts and a library as well.
In 1671 the art collection was transferred to the "Zur Mücke" house near the Cathedral Square and opened to the public, becoming one of the city's major attractions. In 1823 the Amerbach art collection, which had already been enhanced by donations from the Council and private donors, was merged with the holdings of as second museum started by jurist Remigius Faesch (1595-1667).
This brought not only further paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger, but also important works by 15th to17th century artists from the Upper-Rhine region into the collection.
In 1849, the need for more display space resulted in a move to the late classicist, multi-purpose building by Melchior Berri in Augustinergasse (which still houses the Museum of Natural History and the Museum today).
A bequest by Samuel Birrmann (1793-1843), a Basel painter and art dealer, helped to introduce an acquisition policy, and in 1855 a fund earmarked for contemporary Swiss art was established under the aegis of the Museum Commission.
The Canton of Basel-Stadt, too, has been providing acquisition funding since 1903. With the completion of a purpose-built building by architects Rudolf Christ and Paul Bonatz in St. Alban-Graben, the Öffentliche Kunstsammlung moved into the Kunstmuseum Basel in its present form in 1936.
The building has been thoroughly refurbished over the past few years. For additional display space The Museum für Gegenwartskunst was established in a converted factory at St. Alban-Rheinweg in 1980.
A joint venture with the Emanuel Hoffmann and Christoph Merian Foundations, many more recent works were transferred from the Kunstmuseum to the new museum.
Never content to stand still, the next great challenge for the Kunstmuseum is implementing a planned expansion. This new building, will be located opposite the museum, is intended to be a special exhibition area offering the visitor a constantly new experience.
Much remains to be done before the projected opening date of 2015, but its completion will be the latest chapter in this museum's long tradition of re-invention and growth.
Visit the museum’s website at: http://www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch
