Swiss art’s dynamic past and present
The Aargauer Kunsthaus grew out of the Aargau Art Association, which began in 1860 and spent nearly a century pursuing a collection and dedicated museum. In 1959, the Aargauer Kunsthaus opened its doors in a building designed by local architects Loepfe, Hänni and Haenggli, establishing itself as one of the foremost art museums in Switzerland. Renowned for its ambitious exhibition program, with a strong focus on contemporary art, and an outstanding collection, which represents the most important public collection of Swiss art from the 18th century to the present day. More than 21,000 artworks chart the development of the country’s artists, showcasing Albert Anker, Arnold Böcklin, Johann Heinrich Füssli, Alice Bailly, Ferdinand Hodler, Sophie Taeuber-Arp and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, among others. The museum frequently organises monographic exhibitions dedicated to Swiss artists, as well as thematic group shows that explore broad artistic movements or issues. In 2003, the architects Herzog & de Meuron expanded the museum’s building with the artist Rémy Zaugg, adding around 3,000 square meters of exhibition space.