Geneva's MAH: An Encyclopedic Museum Constellation
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (MAH) in Geneva consists of a main facility and four additional sites: the Cabinet d'Arts Graphiques, the Bibliothèque d'Art et d'Archéologie, the Musée Rath (which has been located in Geneva's oldest medieval building since 1986), and the Maison Tavel (established in 1826). Established in 1910, the MAH houses 650,000 items ranging from prehistoric artifacts to modern art, featuring renowned works by Corot, Vallotton, and Hodler. Its diverse collections include significant Egyptian antiquities, numismatics, and applied arts. In late 2018, the collections were relocated to new storage, with renovations on the horizon. The exhibition area, designed by architect Marc Camoletti (1903–1910), covers 7,000 sqm across five levels. The MAH has a legacy of preserving endangered heritage, including 530 artifacts from Gaza.
Key facts
- MAH is a constellation of five sites: central Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Cabinet d'Arts Graphiques, Bibliothèque d'Art et d'Archéologie, Musée Rath, and Maison Tavel.
- Musée Rath has been housed since 1986 in Geneva's oldest medieval private home.
- Relief Magnin is a 19th-century scale model of Geneva before its fortifications were removed in the mid-19th century.
- Maison Tavel opened in 1826 as one of Europe's first buildings designed for art exhibitions.
- MAH was founded in 1910 by collectors and art lovers.
- The museum holds approximately 650,000 objects from prehistory to contemporary art.
- Notable artists in the collection include Corot, Vallotton, Hodler, and John M Armleder.
- The museum has the most important Egyptian antiquities collection in Switzerland.
- In late 2018, most collections were moved to new storage in central Geneva.
- An inventory of the museum's property began in 2015 and is ongoing.
- The museum plans renovation and expansion.
- The building was designed by architect Marc Camoletti and built between 1903 and 1910.
- The building is located east of Geneva's old town, near the cathedral.
- Exhibition space is 7,000 sqm over five levels, two underground.
- In 1939, an exhibition of masterpieces from the Museo del Prado during the Spanish Civil War attracted 400,000 visitors.
- Currently, the MAH protects 530 archaeological artifacts from Gaza.
Entities
Artists
- Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
- Félix Vallotton
- Ferdinand Hodler
- John M Armleder
- Marc Camoletti
Institutions
- Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (MAH)
- Cabinet d'Arts Graphiques
- Bibliothèque d'Art et d'Archéologie
- Musée Rath
- Maison Tavel
- Museo del Prado
- Artribune
Locations
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Geneva's old town
- Cathedral (Geneva)