Cantonal Museum Of Fine Arts

Overview

The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts, MCBA) in Lausanne, Switzerland, holds a significant place in the region's cultural heritage. While today it resides in a striking new home, for over a century, this venerable institution was majestically housed within the grand Palais de Rumine. The Palais, an architectural marvel in itself, served as a hub of knowledge and culture, bringing together various museums and a library under one roof. Visiting the MCBA when it was located within the Palais de Rumine offered a unique experience, allowing art enthusiasts to explore diverse collections amidst the opulent backdrop of a late 19th-century Florentine Renaissance-style building. Although the MCBA moved to the Plateforme 10 arts district in 2019, understanding its history within the Palais de Rumine is crucial to appreciating its enduring legacy and the evolution of Lausanne's cultural landscape.

History & Cultural Background

The journey of the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts dates back to 1841, when it was established by the Society of Fine Arts of the Canton of Vaud, making it one of Switzerland's oldest art institutions. Its initial collections were built through generous donations from local collectors and artists. The museum's presence in the Palais de Rumine began in 1906. The Palais itself is a testament to philanthropy and architectural ambition, built between 1891 and 1906 thanks to a substantial bequest from Gabriel de Rumine, a Russian nobleman who bequeathed 1.5 million Swiss Francs to the city of Lausanne for a public building. Designed by architect Gaspard André, the Palais was inaugurated on November 3, 1902. For decades, it was not only home to the MCBA but also housed the University of Lausanne library and several other cantonal museums, creating a vibrant intellectual and artistic center in the heart of the city.

What Makes It Special

During its long tenure within the Palais de Rumine, the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts was distinguished by the breadth and depth of its collection, which grew to over 10,000 works spanning from the 18th century to the present day. What truly made its former location special was the juxtaposition of this rich artistic heritage with the Palais's imposing and ornate architecture. Imagine wandering through halls designed in the Florentine Renaissance style, with grand staircases and intricate details, encountering masterpieces by Swiss artists such as Félix Vallotton, Charles Gleyre, and Louis Soutter. The museum's focus on Vaudois painters, alongside other significant Swiss and international works, created a unique dialogue between regional identity and broader art historical movements. The setting itself elevated the experience, transforming a visit to an art museum into an encounter with architectural grandeur and historical significance.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

The Palais de Rumine, the former home of the MCBA, is steeped in history. The Russian benefactor, Gabriel de Rumine, whose generous gift made the building possible, passed away at the young age of 30, leaving a lasting legacy to the city where he was born. Beyond its cultural role, the Palais also played a part in international diplomacy; the Treaty of Lausanne, which formally ended the state of war between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire, was signed within its walls on July 24, 1923. The Florentine Renaissance style of the Palais, an unusual choice for Switzerland, lent it a distinctive character that set it apart from other public buildings. Its location on Place de la Riponne, a bustling square, further cemented its role as a focal point for public life in Lausanne. For decades, the presence of the art museum within this multi-institutional building meant that visitors could transition from admiring ancient artifacts or geological specimens to contemplating fine art, all within the same magnificent structure.

Visitor Perspective

For visitors to Lausanne prior to 2019, discovering the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts meant stepping into the magnificent Palais de Rumine. The journey began by ascending the grand stone staircase, admiring the architectural details before immersing oneself in the diverse art collections. The museum offered a captivating exploration of art, from classical to modern, in a setting that was itself a work of art. The experience was one of reverence for both the artistic creations and the historical edifice that housed them. The blend of academic solemnity from the university and library, combined with the artistic vibrancy of the museum, created a unique atmosphere that made the Palais de Rumine a true cultural landmark. While the art collection has now moved to a purpose-built facility at Plateforme 10, offering modern exhibition spaces, the memory of its former home within the Palais de Rumine remains an important chapter in the museum's rich history, inviting those curious about its past to still appreciate the grandeur of the Palais and the other institutions it continues to house today.