Oskar Reinhart’s Art Legacy: Impressionist & Post-Impressionist Icons at The Courtauld

Robert Draws – Oskar Reinhart’s art collection is one of the most renowned in the world. His collection includes Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Now, for the first time, his collection will be exhibited outside Switzerland. The Courtauld Gallery in London will host this landmark event.

The exhibition, titled Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection, will be open from 14 February to 26 May 2025. It brings together some of the finest works from Reinhart’s collection, housed in Am Römerholz in Winterthur, Switzerland. This exhibition will highlight the deep artistic connections between Reinhart and Samuel Courtauld, founder of The Courtauld Institute of Art.

A Unique Collection Comes to London

This exhibition is the first major showcase of the Am Römerholz collection outside Switzerland. Visitors will experience a journey through art history, from early 19th-century masterpieces to groundbreaking Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works. The selection will illustrate the evolution of modern European painting.

The exhibition begins with paintings by influential pre-Impressionist artists. Highlights include Goya’s Still Life with Three Salmon Steaks (c.1808-12), a dramatic study of texture and light. Géricault’s A Man Suffering from Delusions of Military Rank (c.1819-22) provides a haunting glimpse into mental illness. Courbet’s The Hammock (1844) challenges artistic conventions with its bold realism.

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Impressionist & Post-Impressionist Highlights

At the heart of the exhibition are iconic works by leading Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters. The collection includes remarkable paintings by Renoir, Manet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec.

One of the standout pieces is Toulouse-Lautrec’s The Clown Cha-U-Kao (1895), which captures the vibrancy of 19th-century Parisian nightlife. Manet’s Au Café (1878) presents a revolutionary depiction of modern city life. Renoir’s mesmerizing portraits and Cézanne’s masterful compositions further enrich the display.

Van Gogh’s contributions to the exhibition are particularly significant. A Ward in the Hospital at Arles and The Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles (both painted in 1889) illustrate his time in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum. These works reflect his fragile mental state and his enduring artistic genius. For the first time in London, these two paintings will be displayed together, offering a rare insight into Van Gogh’s emotional world.

The Oskar Reinhart Collection ‘Am Römerholz’

Oskar Reinhart (1885-1965) was a passionate collector of European art. His collection spans centuries, from old master paintings to an extraordinary group of Impressionist works. The Am Römerholz museum, housed in Reinhart’s former villa near Zurich, is a cultural treasure.

Reinhart came from a wealthy Swiss family involved in international trade. His financial resources allowed him to acquire masterpieces by some of history’s greatest artists. He bequeathed his collection to the Swiss Confederation, ensuring that future generations could appreciate his vision.

Reinhart and Samuel Courtauld were contemporaries who shared a deep appreciation for Impressionist art. Their collections reveal similar artistic preferences, making The Courtauld Gallery the ideal venue for this unprecedented exhibition.

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The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition Series

This exhibition is made possible by the support of Griffin Catalyst, the civic engagement initiative founded by Kenneth C. Griffin. The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition Series funds major exhibitions at The Courtauld, supporting art historical research and public engagement.

Since The Courtauld’s reopening in 2021, Griffin Catalyst has enabled a dynamic program of exhibitions. The partnership has recently been extended to 2028, ensuring ongoing support for world-class art events.

Exclusive Access for Courtauld Friends

Members of The Courtauld Friends program receive special benefits, including unlimited free entry to exhibitions. They also get priority booking, access to exclusive events, and discounts on art history courses. Art lovers can join this program to enhance their museum experience.