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Fine Arts Museum (Kunstmuseum)

747 Reviews
#4 of 153 things to do in Basel
Art Museums, Museums
St. Alban-Graben 16, Basel 4051, Switzerland
+41 61 206 62 62
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Travellers' Choice award winner
Review Highlights
“A wonderful museum with mountains of art!”

This museum was the highlight of my trip. I had they impression that they have more Dutch masters... read more

Reviewed 4 days ago
Gabriele v
via mobile
“Beautiful and well-run museum ”

We enjoyed the permanent exhibition especially the impressionists including a few Van Goghs... read more

Reviewed 5 days ago
Denise T
,
Los Angeles, California
via mobile
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The Kunstmuseum Basel is home to one of the largest and oldest public museum collections in Europe. In its unique history, it has assembled works from the early fifteenth century to the present. The Kunstmuseum Basel houses the Galerie (Gallery) and the Kupferstichkabinett (Department of Prints and Drawings). The main focus is on paintings and drawings by artists active in the Upper Rhine region between 1400 and 1600 and of the 19th and 21st century. The Kunstmuseum Basel possesses the world`s largest collection of works by the Holbein family. Further examples of Renaissance art include major pieces by masters such as Konrad Witz, Martin Schongauer, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Matthias Grünewald. Most of these early treasures originally belonged to the collection of a Basel lawyer, Basilius Amerbach. Purchased by the city in 1661, they formed the core of the world`s first public municipal museum. Paintings by Basel-born Arnold Böcklin feature among the 19th-century highlights. In the field of 20th-century art, the accent is on Cubism (Picasso, Braque, Léger), German Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism and American art since 1950. Contemporary art is exhibited at the Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art).

About Fine Arts Museum (Kunstmuseum)

The Kunstmuseum Basel is home to one of the largest and oldest public museum collections in Europe. In its unique history, it has assembled works from the early fifteenth century to the present. The Kunstmuseum Basel houses the Galerie (Gallery) and the Kupferstichkabinett (Department of Prints and Drawings). The main focus is on paintings and drawings by artists active in the Upper Rhine region between 1400 and 1600 and of the 19th and 21st century. The Kunstmuseum Basel possesses the world`s largest collection of works by the Holbein family. Further examples of Renaissance art include major pieces by masters such as Konrad Witz, Martin Schongauer, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Matthias Grünewald. Most of these early treasures originally belonged to the collection of a Basel lawyer, Basilius Amerbach. Purchased by the city in 1661, they formed the core of the world`s first public municipal museum. Paintings by Basel-born Arnold Böcklin feature among the 19th-century highlights. In the field of 20th-century art, the accent is on Cubism (Picasso, Braque, Léger), German Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism and American art since 1950. Contemporary art is exhibited at the Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art).
4.5
747 reviews
  • Excellent66%
  • Very good27%
  • Average5%
  • Poor1%
  • Terrible1%
Travellers talk about
“van gogh” (24 reviews)
“new building” (23 reviews)
“modern art” (27 reviews)
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Hours Today: 10:00 - 18:00
LOCATION
St. Alban-Graben 16, Basel 4051, Switzerland
Vorstädte
CONTACT
Website
+41 61 206 62 62
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Reviews (747)
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1 - 10 of 747 reviews

Reviewed 4 days ago via mobile
A wonderful museum with mountains of art!

This museum was the highlight of my trip. I had they impression that they have more Dutch masters then we have in Holland ourselves. It pays being a neutral country in times of war! An absolutely fascinating, welcoming and beautiful museum. You can spend three...More

Thank Gabriele v
Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile
Beautiful and well-run museum

We enjoyed the permanent exhibition especially the impressionists including a few Van Goghs, Rousseaus Gaugins and Monets. There was a special exhibit from the Prado which was enjoyable. While it didn't have any of the masterpieces there were a few by Velasquez, Goya and El...More

Thank Denise T
Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile
Very good Museum at a great building

We visited Kunstmuseum while in Basel for ArtBasel. There was a special exhibition building is incredibly beatifull example of modern architecture but the works are not comparable to ones in large museums such as Metropolitan NY or Louvre. However, everyone must visit it while in...More

Thank ztacir
Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
Great place to spend a few hours.

Great collection of European artworks. Eclectic mix with something for everyone. A must see in Basel.

Thank Jason B
Reviewed 1 week ago
Good Museum for Fine Arts

Basel is a small city and not many places to visit. This museum is nice but one must check what is on display before buying tickets. It could be really disappointing if on a given day display is small or not choice.

Thank AtulKB
Reviewed 1 week ago
All the big names of modern art are here to see

In this marble palace you will find various collections. We wanted tos see their modern art collection. This museum has Monet, Renoir , Van Gogh, but also Picasso, Franz Marc and Alberto Giacometti, Mondrian and . Just to name a few. You might have seen...More

1  Thank Rien W
Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
Great permanent displays.

Has quite an extensive collection of art of all types, if you include the next-door new building. Note it's free on the first Sunday of the month otherwise a steepish 16 Chf.

Thank Bob R
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
Small but satisfying collection

The art museum in Basel is spread over three buildings. There is a small collection of almost any genre. My favourites are Van Gogh, Monet, Gaugin, Renoir. There are enough of them to be satisfying and not so many that the mind is numbed. Also...More

Thank George T
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
Expansive & Extensive

We spent 2 hours in the main museum building, but did not have time to enter the two newest museum buildings. The museum is quite diverse offering the great masters selections and a significant number of regional artists in various media. The Renoir, Barnard, Picasso,...More

Thank D D
Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
Must visit

A really nice art museum situated just opposite a tram stop. The ticket for the permanent exhibition is if I remember correctly 16 CHF. You should consider spending around 2 to 3 hours for the permanent exhibition. It really worth the visit. You should opt...More

Thank ilGrec0
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Questions & AnswersAsk a question
judybudy
Is there an entrance fee? Are any exhibits in English?
1 April 2017|
Answer Show all 9 answers
Response from bonneylaketapps | Reviewed this property |
There is an entrance fee of about 18 CHF. I don't remember if there were captions in English but staff speaks excellent English, and they have flyers with info in English
1
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Dilara T
how much is the entrance fee ?
5 February 2017|
Answer Show all 13 answers
Response from bonneylaketapps | Reviewed this property |
Here is the list of free with Swiss Rail Pass museums in Zurich: Focus Terra ETH*. Graphische Sammlung der ETH Zürich*. Haus Konstruktiv. Johann Jacobs Museum. Kulturama. Medizinmuseum der Universität Zürich* (Neueröffnung... More
1
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lovenewplaces
Which of the three buildings contains the Klee works?
6 November 2016|
Answer Show all 11 answers
Response from Redfoody2015 | Reviewed this property |
If you are planning to visit Basel, give yourself enough time to thoroughly enjoy the main building. Depending on when you plan to be in Basel, my suggestion would be to visit the museum websites which you would like to... More
1
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