Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, Art museum in Lausanne, Switzerland
The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts is housed in a contemporary building near the train station and displays thousands of artworks from ancient times through Post-Impressionism. The collection spans painting, sculpture, and other media from diverse periods and cultures.
Founded in 1841 with private funding from artist Marc-Louis Arlaud, the institution became one of Switzerland's oldest art establishments. Over time, the collections expanded and the museum relocated to a new building to meet contemporary standards.
The collection features works by Swiss artists like Abraham-Louis-Rodolphe Ducros and Charles Gleyre alongside international pieces from Marcel Broodthaers and Bruce Nauman. This range shows both regional and global artistic movements that shaped contemporary practice.
The museum is located in Plateforme 10, a cultural district near the train station with good accessibility and parking options nearby. The interior spaces are well-lit and comfortable for spending several hours viewing the collections at your own pace.
The building features deep vertical fins and modular structures designed to control natural light and protect sensitive artworks from damage. This architectural design creates shifting visual effects that change throughout the day with the sun's movement.
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