Fondation Beyeler lets bathers in free for Cézanne show
On May 1, 2026, the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland, offered free admission to visitors wearing swimwear for its Cézanne exhibition, inspired by Maurizio Cattelan's playful approach. The monographic show, curated by Ulf Küster, features about 80 works focusing on Cézanne's late career, including portraits, landscapes, and bather scenes. The event was a success, with families and individuals participating, some even swimming in the foundation's pond afterward.
Key facts
- Fondation Beyeler in Basel offered free admission to visitors in swimwear on May 1, 2026
- The initiative was inspired by Maurizio Cattelan's playful approach to art
- The Cézanne exhibition is the first monographic show dedicated to the painter by the Swiss institution
- Curated by Ulf Küster, the exhibition includes about 80 works from Cézanne's late career
- The show runs until May 25, 2026
- The event aimed to reduce distance between public and artworks
- Visitors were seen in bikinis, boxers, flip-flops, and pareos
- Some visitors swam in the foundation's garden pond after viewing
Entities
Artists
- Paul Cézanne
- Maurizio Cattelan
Institutions
- Fondation Beyeler
- Artribune
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Riehen