In 2009 the Fondation de l’Hermitage celebrates its 25th anniversary! Twenty-five years of dedicated and enthusiastic commitment to art and artists which have seen the graceful residence built by the Bugnion family in the middle of the 19th century welcome hundreds of thousands of art lovers. The exhibition will carry an important scientific, commemorative publication reproducing many of these masterpieces from Swiss collections, some of which are being shown to the public for the first time, and taking stock of twenty-five years of activity at the Fondation de l’Hermitage.
From the outset, while constantly working on the developments essential for its success and the growth of its activities — the construction of a reception/bookshop wing and new exhibition and conservation areas, assembling a collection, building and equipping an auditorium and educational workshops in the farmhouse -, the Fondation de l’Hermitage has made it its mission to organize major exhibitions in the field of fine arts. More particularly focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, these events have enabled it to consolidate a special relationship with private collectors in Switzerland for over a quarter of a century. Their great generosity, strong commitment in favour of the arts and their unfailing, loyal support of the Hermitage is at the heart of most of the events organized in the fine old mansion.
By way of a homage to the Fondation’s inaugural exhibition, L’impressionnisme dans les collections romandes (1984), and above all as a tribute to the clairvoyance of Swiss collectors, the exhibition this summer 2009 will mark the Foundation’s anniversary in style by giving pride of place to all those who have so generously accepted to share their treasures since 1984 with as many people as possible. With ‘passion for art’ as its keynote, the show will bring together over a hundred 20th-century masterpieces from private Swiss collections for a celebration lasting all summer long.
Bacon, Braque, Bonnard, Calder, Cézanne, Dalí, Derain, Dubuffet, Duchamp, Ernst, Gauguin, Gertsch, Giacometti, Hodler, Kiefer, Klee, Léger, Matisse, Miró, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Richter, Rothko, Signac, Soulages, Vallotton, Van Velde, Vuillard, Warhol… All these artists, and many more besides, will be present in this “coup de coeur” exhibition which will take visitors on a voyage along the crests trail of modern art, from Impressionism to abstract Expressionism. The Fondation de l’Hermitage also has its own collection, although it is not always on permanent display.
The Collection
Started barely twenty years ago, the Fondation de l’Hermitage Collection today includes nearly 800 works. A selection of works from the collection is presented to the public at regular intervals. The collection is mainly made up of donations, bequests and deposits which spontaneously flowed into its care right from its inauguration in 1984, showing what a very special place the Hermitage holds in the hearts of the Vaudois population. Initially, the Foundation was given the rich Bugnion Family collection which notably includes a group of portraits going back to the mid-18th century as well as an important ensemble by Bocion. Among the numerous donations made to the Foundation were a nucleus of Impressionist and post-Impressionist painters (Sisley, Guillaumin, Morren, Puigaudeau), and a fine selection of works by 20th-century Vaudois artists (Gleyre, Chavannes, Vallotton, Bosshard, Domenjoz).
www.fondation-hermitage.ch
Image: Sam Francis (1923 – 1994), Mainly Blue (Principalement bleu), 1955, aquarelle sur japon monté sur toile, 183,5 x 94 cm. Berne, E.W.K. © 2009, ProLitteris, Zurich.
