Fondation Beyeler, Basel

The Fondation Beyeler, located in Riehen near Basel, is a cultural gem renowned as the most visited art museum in the country. Established by art dealers Ernst Beyeler and Hildy Kunz in 1982, the foundation oversees their remarkable collection of modern and traditional art. Designed by acclaimed Italian architect Renzo Piano, the museum opened its doors on October 18, 1997, and has since attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

The permanent collection features approximately 200 works of classic modernism, showcasing 20th-century masterpieces by artists like Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Francis Bacon. These are complemented by tribal art pieces from Africa, Oceania, and Alaska. Recent acquisitions, including works by Louise Bourgeois and Wolfgang Tillmans, reflect the foundation's ongoing commitment to expanding its post-1950s collection. Notable exhibitions include a 2007 showcase of works associated with Beyeler's career, featuring iconic pieces such as van Gogh’s Portrait of Postman Roulin and Pollock’s expressive drip paintings.

A third of the museum’s exhibition space is dedicated to temporary shows, ensuring a dynamic visitor experience. Past highlights include Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Wrapped Trees installation 1998, which transformed the museum's garden into an artistic spectacle. Visitors can enjoy rotating exhibitions that focus on specific artists, further enhancing the museum's reputation as a hub for cultural engagement.

The museum is an architectural marvel, seamlessly blending into its surroundings in the English-style Berower Park. Renzo Piano's design emphasizes natural light and a connection to the landscape, with glazed façades offering views of cornfields and vineyards. The striking red porphyry walls from Patagonia and the lightweight glass roof create a serene, inspiring atmosphere.