About us: History of the Kunsthalle

Kunsthalle Basel, 1874

It was as early as the 1840s that the idea of constructing an ‘artists’ house’ emerged within the circle of the city’s Art Association. Johann Jakob im Hof had already initiated a ferry service across the Rhine. The proceeds of this service were to finance the club house. When the Society of Basel Artists merged with Basler Kunstverein (Basel Art Association) in 1864, the latter took over the profitable operation of two Rhine ferries as well as the money already collected for the construction of an art hall. In 1869, the foundation stone for the art hall was laid in accordance with plans by the architect Johann Jakob Stehlin. In terms of both orientation and design, the building takes as its inspiration the Municipal Theatre which was also constructed by Stehlin: together with the City Casino, the three buildings form a characteristic architectural feature of the city centre, unifying music, theatre and the fine arts in an urban ensemble.

On the occasion of its inauguration in the spring of 1872, the President of the Basler Kunstverein gave the following programmatic summary of the art hall’s new function:’To provide a place for the fine arts in order to stimulate, promote and spread artistic interest within our hometown as well as to foster friendly relations between artists and art lovers.’ The Steinenberg building is suitable for both functions: situated above the club house – now housing Restaurant Kunsthalle, a very popular establishment – the ground floor consisted of halls for the permanent presentation of collected art, the library and conference rooms. In contrast, the first floor offered the monumental ceiling light hall for temporary exhibitions. The aim of the artistic decorations by Arnold Böcklin, Carl Brünner, Ernst Stückelberg and Charles Iguel was to visualise, in the spirit of their time, the history and programmatic mission of the Association.

The original construction, which was initially extended only by a sculptor’s studio facing the court as well as some adjacent office rooms, has since been complemented by several extensions. In 1885, the foundation stone was laid for a sculpture hall on a plot of land owned by Basel Art Association. In 1898, the garden wing above the studios was raised by one floor. With the elevation of the sculpture hall by one office floor, the exterior appearance of the entire composition finally came to a conclusion in 1927.

Kunsthalle Basel, 1892

The increasing financial burden resulting from the maintenance of the building eventually caused the Basler Kunstverein to enter into a temporary renting arrangement: the main building and the side wings of the Kunsthalle were made available to the state. As a result, the building was used to exhibit a public art collection which couldn’t be housed anywhere until the Kunstmuseum was built. The financial situation which continued to be critical was even to endanger the Association’s ownership of the building in 1950 when the Commission almost succumbed to the bid of a major bank. According to the planned deal, the Association would have sold the building and later rented premises in a new construction provided by the investors. However, the plans for a demolition came to nothing. Instead, the building was thoroughly renovated between 1969 and 1973.

Kunsthalle Basel, 1976

Since June 2004, Kunsthalle Basel has appeared in its former grandeur once again: commissioned by Basler Kunstverein, the architects Miller & Maranta modernised the building to make it fit for present-day cultural activities. Although the overall proportions have remained untouched, the former rooms on the lower floor have been integrated to form a larger entity. Additionally, new parquet flooring as well as an enhanced technical infrastructure allow more flexible use of the various showrooms.

More than just an exhibition site for the visual arts, Kunsthalle Basel sees itself as a hub between artists and art agents and as a place that brings together local and international developments. The building complex of Kunsthalle Basel provides a constant and elegant setting in the fast-paced world of frequently changing exhibitions.

Kunsthalle Basel, 2004