Museum Franz Gertsch

The Museum Franz Gertsch is a mainly privately financed museum dedicated primarily to the work of Franz Gertsch. Over half of the museum’s exhibition space is moreover reserved for temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

History

In April 1998, the Burgdorf-based industrialist Willy Michel, then chairman of the board of directors of Disetronic Holding AG, met Franz Gertsch in the artist’s Rüschegg studio. Willy Michel was captivated at first glance by Franz Gertsch’s art and not long after this initial encounter he decided to establish a museum for a future Gertsch collection on the centrally located site of the former Milka Käserei AG in Burgdorf.

The Swiss architectural firm of Jörg & Sturm, which won an earlier town planning competition concerning potential uses of the site, was commissioned by Willy Michel to realise the museum project. Construction work began in the summer of 2000 and the museum was opened to the public in October 2002.

The basis of the museum’s collection is made up by the holdings of the Stiftung Willy Michel [Willy Michel Foundation], which was established in autumn 2001. Willy Michel contributed five paintings and several woodcuts to the foundation while Franz Gertsch himself provided a further selection of woodcuts. In a unique constellation, the museum possesses most of the works produced by the artist between 1987 and 2017.

The museum’s activities are accompanied by a distinguished board of trustees that advices the administration on important matters. Besides Willy Michel and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Pulver (President), the board members include Barbara Luginbühl-Sieber, Michael Nold, Drs. Guido de Werd and Beat Wismer.

On 1st August 2024, the Willy Michel Foundation changed its name to the Foundation Franz Gertsch Museum .

Temporary Exhibitions

Besides the presentation of Franz Gertsch’s works, the museum is a regular venue for temporary exhibitions of a wide spectrum of contemporary art. Contemporaries and comparable younger colleagues, also contrasting approaches to reality are the exhibition themes, with the crossover between painting and photography giving a further emphasis. The quality of Franz Gertsch’s works is thereby obligation and a benchmark for the program.

Exhibition view Museum Franz Gertsch with works by Axel Hütte, © Museum Franz Gertsch, photograph: Bernhard Strahm, Gerlafingen, 2018

Collection

In 1998, the Burgdorf industrialist Willy Michel made a decision, together with Franz Gertsch, to create a museum to be maintained by them both. Willy Michel secured the financing for the entire project and established the Willy Michel Foundation, which provides the basis for the museum’s collection. This collection offers a unique constellation for a high-ranking artist: it comprises works by Franz Gertsch dating from 1984 to today. These specifically include the paintings “Silvia I” and “Gräser I–IV” [Grasses I–IV] as well as many woodcuts, among them several large-scale triptychs. In addition, the museum expands its collection through the loan of additional works from other museums or privately, as well as attempting to purchase further works.

Exhibition view Museum Franz Gertsch with woodcuts by Franz Gertsch, © Museum Franz Gertsch, photograph: Bernhard Strahm, Gerlafingen, 2018

FOUNDATION BOARD

Prof. Dr. Bernhard Pulver (President)
Dr. h.c. Willy Michel
Katja Michel
Barbara Luginbühl-Sieber
Michael Nold
Drs. Guido de Werd
Beat Wismer

ADMINISTRATION

RECEPTION I MUSEUM GUARD

Conny Burchianti
Therese Baur
Kaufmann Melanie
Silvia Kälin
Doris Niederberger
Nadine Ohl
Iris Rytz
SPRINGER:IN
Annemarie Akermann
Annkathrin Gross
Jathursani Gunatharan
Paul Haldemann
Livia Künzi
Xenia Makhova
Lisa Sommer
Leon Weingart

ART EDUCATION

Manuela Brügger
Sofie Lena Hänni
Andreas Jahn
Mathias Kobel
Livia Künzi
Helen Lagger

artcafé

Elisabeth Haldimann | Leitung
Alis Simili
Therese Iseli
Murni Zakaria Burkhalter
Tatyana Serempus
Beatrice Rauch
Murielle Hofer
Stéphanie Schafer
Andrea Glauser
Paula Keller

Our thanks go to:

Dr. h.c. Willy Michel

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