The first time I heard of Ernst Beyeler, was from both my grandfather and my father. They told me the story of this young Swiss man who was working in a library in Basel and ended up one of the biggest collector of Modern Art in the World and the co-founder of the most famous art fair in the world (Art Basel). The story of this self made man fascinated me at a young age.
I read about him and his collection and wanted to see more. My father has always been enchanted by art and every year he has been taking us to Art Basel. I believe it was in the year 1999 or 2000 while being in Basel we couldn’t miss the opportunity of going to see the new Foundation, we were told that the collection was beautiful but that the building it self was worth the detour.
The museum is situated in Riehen, in the suburbs of Basel. It is strategically placed where time and agitation of the city is forgotten. With a beautiful “English” garden, the building makes one with nature. I will always remember the first time I passed those doors, the feeling I had while going through the different exhibition rooms was like going through some sort of "Museum Heaven". Never I had felt that much in harmony with the building, the paintings and the sculptures surrounding me.
The art collection, the gardens and the building seemed in perfect balance with
each other. It is very hard to find a place where everything is in concordance, this is such a wonderful place. Each time I visit this magical place the feeling comes
back.
In my opinion, the most amazing place in the foundation is the room of the Giacometti sculptures and the Monet room; they both are connected to a pond, which feels like the continuation of the floor. The pond reflects with the Nympheas of Monet and the Alberto Giacometti’s masterpieces, it feels like they are about to walk on the water nearly and gives you this sensation of movement without time. In this case, the environment makes you forget everything that is going in the outside world and helps you focus on the art presented in the different galleries.
