Winterthur Museum of Photography

Winterthur Museum of Photography

The Center of Photography in Winterthur consists of the Winterthur Museum of Photography (Fotomuseum Winterthur) and the Swiss Foundation of Photography (Fotostiftung Schweiz), located in buildings along Grüzenstrasse. Established in 1993, the museum is devoted to the art of photography, as well as its role in documenting events and representing reality. Displaying both historic items, as well as contemporary works, the Fotomuseum Winterthur makes for a fascinating attraction in Switzerland.

The Fotostiftung Schweiz was created in 1971 with the aim of preserving and discovering photographic works. It houses an impressive archive, with a collection made up of 30,000 prints. The Fotomuseum Winterthur has been increasing its collection since it was founded in 1993, with about 4,000 photographs being donated, loaned or purchased. The museum's collection is chiefly made up of works from 1960 onwards, as well as a large selection of international items.

Works by masters of the 19th and 20th century exhibited at the museum include those by Karl Blossfeldt, Lisetter Model, Bill Brandt, August Sander, Charles Sheelr, Edward Weston and so forth. Contemporary artists and photographers include Andreas Gursky, Boris Mikhailov, Lewis Baltz, William Eggleston and others. There are also photographs of sociological and historic-cultural importance, including medical photographs, police photography, images of dam construction and industrial photographs. One of the latest additions to the museum is the American Jedermann Collection, which provides insight into conceptual and media-analytical photography, ranging from 1960 to 1990.

Over time the Fotomuseum Winterthur has managed to accumulate an impressive archive of applied photography that continues to expand. The museum holds the corporate photograph archives of the Von Roll, Haldengut and Vokart companies in their entirety. It also contains images from Maag Zahnräder AG, SLM and the Linck photography dynasty.

Each year a number of exhibitions are arranged at the Fotomuseum Winterthur. In conjunction with these fascinating displays, publications and a program of events are put together for guests of all age groups. Visitors can benefit from guided tours, discussions, talks, workshops and lectures. Along with the museum visitors will find a library, bistro, lounge, a shop and seminar rooms in the buildings that comprise the Center of Photography in Winterthur.

Exhibition opening hours at the Fotomuseum Winterthur are Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm; Wednesday from 11 am to 8 pm. The Photo Library is open from Tuesday to Friday from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Be sure to check the opening hours before visiting the museum as they may change according to public holidays and so forth.