Launch year:
1981

Number of artworks:
More than 5'000

Status of collection:
International

Artistic domains and general information about the collection:
The Julius Baer Art Collection comprises over 5,000 works spanning a wide array of media. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, drawings and graphic arts are displayed in Julius Baer’s meeting rooms, staff restaurants, offices, foyers and corridors around the globe. Established in 1981 by Hans J. Baer (1927–2011), the Collection was inspired by the belief that art in the workplace presents a wonderful starting point for conversation. Today the artworks continue to engage and intrigue both employees and visiting clients alike.

The Julius Baer Art Collection specialises in the acquisition of works by contemporary Swiss artists or artists who live and work in Switzerland. At its core is a special focus on promising young artists, who are then followed throughout their careers. In recent years there has also been an emphasis on rounding out the Collection by assembling groups of works that reflect the entire oeuvre of the most significant artistic figures. The exciting and diverse collection that results is a dynamic blend of works by up-and-coming talents as well as those by more established artists.

The Collection features works by some of Switzerland’s most important contemporary artists, including John M Armleder, Silvia Bächli, Miriam Cahn, Lutz & Guggisberg, Pipilotti Rist, Ugo Rondinone, Shirana Shahbazi and Roman Signer, to name but a few.

Commission programme / Site-specific order(s) :
Wall painting by Samuel Buri (*1935) and canteen design by Beat Zoderer (*1955) in the Julius Baer Operation Centre in Altstetten, Zurich.