The Gottfried Keller Foundation

The Gottfried Keller Foundation (GKF) was established in 1890 by Lydia Welti-Escher, the daughter and heir of the politician, business leader and railway entrepreneur Alfred Escher. She bequeathed a large portion of her estate to the Confederation, with instructions that the revenues from it be used to acquire important works of visual art for Swiss museums. The Foundation's name since its inception is a homage to the celebrated Swiss poet and painter Gottfried Keller, who was a friend of the Escher family.

Decisions on the acquisition of artworks are taken by the Gottfried Keller Foundation Commission, whose five members are appointed every four years by the Federal Council. The objects purchased remain the property of the Confederation, and are deposited with Swiss museums on permanent loan.

Hans Baldung, also called Grien, Portrait of Adalbert III von Bärenfels, oil on pine wood, 1526, Kunstmuseum Basel (acquired in 1910), shown on the far right of the photo, Photo: Simon Schmid, SNL.
Hans Baldung, also called Grien, Portrait of Adalbert III von Bärenfels, oil on pine wood, 1526, Kunstmuseum Basel (acquired in 1910), shown on the far right of the photo, Photo: Simon Schmid, SNL.

Contact

Federal Office of Culture
Federal Art Collections
Gottfried Keller Foundation
Hallwylstrasse 15
3003 Bern
Phone +41 58 46 38271
E-Mail

Print contact

https://www.gottfried-keller-stiftung.ch/content/gks/en/home/gottfried-keller-stiftung-/startseite_alt.html