This historical exhibition in Basel investigates the provenance of works within the Kupferstichkabinett acquired between 1933 and 1945. Visitors can trace eleven specific cases of drawings belonging to Jewish collectors Julius Schottländer and Julius Freund. The presentation highlights meticulous institutional research into assets displaced during the Nazi era.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Unanswered Questions. at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart in Basel
This exhibition explores the histories of drawings from the Kupferstichkabinett, focusing on the collections of Jewish art collectors Julius Schottländer and Julius Freund. It examines the paths these works took to the Kunstmuseum Basel between 1933 and 1945, highlighting the impact of Nazi persecution on their former owners.
Unanswered Questions. explores the complex history of works held within the Kupferstichkabinett (Department of Prints and Drawings) at the Kunstmuseum Basel. Specifically, it centers on the biographies and collections of Julius Schottländer and Julius Freund, two Jewish art collectors whose works were acquired by the museum between 1933 and 1945. The exhibition examines how these assets moved through Switzerland, which served as a hub for cultural property belonging to those fleeing Germany during the Second World War. The exhibition is rooted in extensive provenance research conducted by the museum, which has sought to transparently investigate the histories of several acquisitions. Drawing from the publication of the same name released in June 2025, the presentation invites visitors to consider eleven specific cases, balancing the institutional history of the Kunstmuseum Basel with an appreciation for the former owners and the difficult circumstances surrounding their dispossession. By showing the processes and implications of this research, the exhibition offers a reflective look at the museum's own historical acquisitions.
The exhibition is located in the graphic cabinets of the Hauptbau. Please check the museum's official plan your visit page for admission and booking details before your arrival.
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Unanswered Questions. at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart in Basel
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