Global context · September 14, 2026

Swiss Museum’s Major Acquisition Grows After Unopened Portfolios Reveal Extra Works

The Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland discovered that a recent donation from collector Philippe Bodenmann includes significantly more works than initially expected, expanding the collection to 218 pieces.

The Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds in western Switzerland recently experienced an unexpected expansion of a major donation from Swiss collector Philippe Bodenmann. Initially thought to include 150 works, the gift was found to contain 218 pieces after unopened portfolios were examined. This discovery was confirmed by the museum’s director, David Lemaire.

The entire collection is now on display for the first time in the exhibition titled "Voyages en zigzag: La collection de Philippe Bodenmann," which runs from September 6, 2026, until January 3, 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 artists represented are Joseph Kosuth, Lawrence Weiner, Royden Rabinowitch, Olivier Mosset, Marcia Hafif, and Günther Förg. The collection is particularly notable for its strength in British conceptual artists associated with walking as an artistic practice, including Hamish Fulton and Richard Long.

The donation also enhances the museum’s holdings of Zurich Concrete art, a key part of its identity, with several major paintings by Max Bill. One highlighted piece is Kosuth’s "Intentio (project)," described as a pivotal work marking a shift in scale, color use, and textual complexity compared to his earlier conceptual series.

Bodenmann placed no conditions on the gift, which Lemaire regards as an act of great trust in the institution, reflecting a relationship spanning over 40 years. The collector emphasized the importance of keeping the collection intact due to its coherence.

Historically, Bodenmann himself created paintings early in his career and exhibited twice at the museum’s contemporary art biennials. The collection not only holds artistic and historical significance but also preserves the memory of exhibitions that shaped the museum over four decades. It complements a previous donation by Olivier Mosset, differing in perspective as it reflects the eye of an art lover rather than an artist.

This expanded acquisition significantly enriches the museum’s collection and offers visitors a comprehensive view of influential art movements and artists connected to Switzerland and beyond.

Why it matters

The unexpected increase in the size of Philippe Bodenmann’s donation substantially enhances the Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds’ collection, reinforcing its role as a key institution for conceptual and Zurich Concrete art. The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see the collection in full, deepening public access to important works and preserving decades of artistic history tied to the museum.

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