The City of Zurich has expressed its support for the Kunsthaus Zurich’s planned measures to advance provenance research and contextualisation of the Bührle Collection. Steps have also been taken to ensure the independence of the research. The SIG and the Israelitische Cultusgemeinde Zürich (ICZ) welcome these developments, though their criticism of the Bührle Foundation remains.
In May 2025, the Zurich Art Society and the Emil G. Bührle Foundation reached an agreement on their ongoing collaboration and the management of more than 200 works on loan to the Kunsthaus. Questions remained over how further provenance research and contextualisation would be financed. Today, the City of Zurich confirmed its full support for the Kunsthaus’s planned five-year programme and emphasised the urgency of rapid implementation for both ethical and social reasons. The City Council is requesting CHF 3 million in co-financing from the Municipal Council to help realise these measures.
The agreement followed the final report on Bührle provenance research presented by Raphael Gross in June 2024. Gross and his team found that the Foundation’s research on the permanent loan of around 200 works did not meet the Kunsthaus’s standards, highlighting the need for further investigation. SIG and ICZ, who had supported Gross’s appointment via a roundtable discussion, view the report as confirming the need for transparency and a critical review of the collection’s history, particularly regarding works formerly owned by Jewish collectors.
Under the agreement, the works on permanent loan will remain at the Kunsthaus and accessible to the public. The Bührle Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to seeking fair solutions for any works identified as confiscated during the Nazi era. Over the next five years, the Kunsthaus will introduce three new presentation concepts to provide fresh perspectives and deepen the historical context of the collection, particularly highlighting the role of Jewish collectors in promoting modernism.
The Kunstgesellschaft has also announced the creation of an independent commission of experts to advise on ethical and professional matters, review methodologies, and evaluate research outcomes. A partnership with the University of Zurich will further support rigorous research and ongoing exchanges on standards and methodology in provenance research. To implement these measures, the Kunstgesellschaft has applied to the City of Zurich for co-funding.
SIG and ICZ welcome the City Council’s proposal of CHF 3 million towards the expected project cost of CHF 5.2 million. They recognise the steps being taken by the Kunsthaus and the City to ensure critical and independent research continues on the Bührle Collection. However, both organisations remain disappointed that the Bührle Foundation continues to refuse financial participation, emphasising that the Foundation must actively engage in the historical and ethical evaluation of its collection.
