The Modern Art Collection
In the mid-1960s, the Unterlinden Museum turned resolutely towards contemporary creation and embarked on an acquisition policy focusing on the major developments in the modern artistic adventure. Rooms were then set up to accommodate the young collection, which was growing at high speed.
Many exhibitions are organized by the museum - Picasso in 1967, Roger Bissière in 1970, Poliakoff in 1971, in 1975 an exhibition about major cubist artists, among many others. In particular, the museum shows a very strong interest in the artists known as the "École de Paris" and "la nouvelle École de Paris". Works by Bazaine, Bertholle, Bissière, Manessier and Vieira da Silva, Poliakoff and Staël entered their collection at that time.
One of the museum's objectives is also to give priority to the study and presentation of 20th century German artists and movements, particularly those who had close links with the French art scene: Hans Hartung, Willi Baumeister or Hans Arp. The presence of works by Otto Dix recalls the artist's connection to the city of Colmar, where he was arrested and taken prisoner in 1945.
From 2005 to 2015, the museum is attracting large donations from artists such as Derain, Hantaï and Séraphine de Senlis. It is thanks to the important legacy of Jean-Paul Person that the Musée Unterlinden now has the richest collection of works by Jean Dubuffet. This legacy also includes works by Rodin, Alechinsky, Atlan, César, Chaissac, Fautrier, Rouault or Soutine. In 2008, a very significant donation from Joe Downing's companion took place.
To allow this collection to find the place it deserves, a superb extension project has been entrusted to the architects Herzog & de Meuron.
From Alechinsky to Zack, this alphabetical catalogue presents the masterpieces of this collection.
Close