Swiss Museum’s Acquisition Grows as Unopened Portfolios Reveal Additional Works

The Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds in western Switzerland received an unexpected boost to its collection following a recent donation by Swiss collector Philippe Bodenmann. Initially, the museum believed the gift included 150 works, but after examining unopened portfolios, the total was found to be 218 pieces. This expanded figure was confirmed by the museum’s director, David Lemaire.

The entire collection is now on display in the exhibition "Voyages en zigzag: La collection de Philippe Bodenmann," which runs from September 6, 2026, to January 3, 2027. This marks the first time Bodenmann’s collection is being shown in its entirety at the museum.

Bodenmann’s collection encompasses several significant art movements, including Anglo-American conceptual art, Zurich Concrete art, and the Swiss Neo-Geo scene. Among the artists represented are Joseph Kosuth, Lawrence Weiner, Royden Rabinowitch, Olivier Mosset, Marcia Hafif, and Günther Förg. The collection is particularly notable for its focus on British conceptual artists associated with walking as an artistic practice, such as Hamish Fulton and Richard Long.

The donation also strengthens the museum’s holdings of Zurich Concrete art, a historically important part of its identity, with several major paintings by Max Bill. One of the highlights is Kosuth’s "Intentio (project)," which is described as a pivotal work in the artist’s career, introducing changes in scale, colour, and textual complexity compared to his earlier works.

Philippe Bodenmann placed no conditions on the gift. Lemaire described this as an act of great trust in the institution, which Bodenmann has known for more than 40 years. The collector emphasized the importance of presenting the collection as a whole, reflecting its coherence.

The collection is valued not only for its artistic and historical significance but also for preserving the memory of exhibitions that have shaped the museum over four decades. It complements a previous donation by Olivier Mosset, differing in perspective as it reflects the collector’s viewpoint rather than the artist’s.

This acquisition enriches the Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds’ collection and offers visitors a comprehensive view of influential contemporary art movements and artists, reinforcing the museum’s role as a custodian of Swiss and international art heritage.