Swiss Museum’s Donation Grows as Unopened Portfolios Reveal Extra Works

The Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds in western Switzerland received a generous donation from Swiss collector Philippe Bodenmann, originally thought to include 150 works. However, after examining unopened portfolios, museum director David Lemaire confirmed the collection actually comprises 218 pieces. This discovery came as a pleasant surprise to the museum.

The entire collection is currently on display for the first time in the exhibition titled "Voyages en zigzag: La collection de Philippe Bodenmann," which runs from 6 September 2026 until 3 January 2027. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of works spanning Anglo-American conceptual art, Zurich Concrete art, and the Swiss Neo-Geo scene.

Among the notable artists featured are Joseph Kosuth, Lawrence Weiner, Royden Rabinowitch, Olivier Mosset, Marcia Hafif, and Günther Förg. The collection is particularly strong in British conceptual artists associated with walking as an artistic practice, including Hamish Fulton and Richard Long. It also enhances the museum’s holdings of Zurich Concrete art, a historically significant part of its identity, with major paintings by Max Bill.

One highlighted piece is Kosuth’s "Intentio (project)," described by Lemaire as a pivotal work that marks a shift in scale, colour use, and textual complexity compared to Kosuth’s earlier works. Bodenmann has placed no conditions on the donation, which Lemaire regards as an act of great trust in the institution, with which Bodenmann has had a relationship spanning over 40 years.

The collection’s coherence is important to Bodenmann, who insists it be presented as a whole. It also extends the museum’s historical narrative, reflecting exhibitions that have shaped the institution over four decades. The donation complements a previous gift from Olivier Mosset, differing in perspective by representing the collector’s viewpoint rather than the artist’s.

This expanded acquisition not only enriches the museum’s collection but also offers visitors a comprehensive view of key movements in contemporary art, reinforcing the Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds’ role as a custodian of Swiss and international modern art.