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The Knecht Collection

Flemish and Dutch cabinet pieces by Jan Brueghel the Elder, Hendrick Avercamp, Adriaen Coorte, Jan van Goyen, Aert van der Neer, David Teniers, among others. Cheerful genre scenes, magnificent still lifes and masterfully composed landscapes!

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Dutch Art in Zurich

The collection consists mainly of works of Dutch art and small-format paintings, most of them signed. The main emphasis is on the profane genres of masterfully composed landscapes and splendid still lifes, joined by cheerful genre paintings, portraits and, as an exception, three small panels with religious content, which are now joined together to form a triptych.

Artists from the Protestant northern Netherlands as well as from Catholic Flanders are represented: Jan Brueghel (I), Pieter Brueghel (II), David Teniers (II) and Catarina Ykens (I), Hendrick Avercamp, Jan van Goyen, Aert van der Neer and Adriaen Coorte.

Just as the works from the Bührle, Merzbacher and Looser collections in the extension building represent private collecting as opposed to institutional collecting, the 45 works from the Knecht Collection illustrate this aspect in the Moser Building. A comparison with the Dutch and Flemish paintings from the Kunsthaus collection, especially from the Ruzicka and Koetser Foundations, which are also on view, is recommended.

A catalogue of the collection is available from the museum shop.

Sammlung Knecht
Jan Brueghel (I), Entrance to a Village with a Windmill, 1603/1605 (?), Oil on copper, 18 x 25,4 cm, Kunsthaus Zürich, Permanent loan from a private collection, 2016
Sammlung Knecht
Adriaen Coorte, Still Life with a Bundle of Asparagus, Red Cherries and a Butterfly, ca. 1693–1695, Oil on paper and wood, 25,6 x 19,8 cm, Kunsthaus Zürich, Permanent loan from a private collection, 2016
Sammlung Knecht
Hendrick Avercamp, Winter Landscape with a Windmill, early 17th century, Oil on copper, 20 x 26 cm, Kunsthaus Zürich, Permanent loan from a private collection, 2016
Sammlung Knecht
David Teniers (II), Three Peasants by the Fire, ca. 1645–1650, Oil on wood, 21,5 x 17,5 cm, Kunsthaus Zürich, Permanent loan from a private collection, 2016
Sammlung Knecht
Magdalena van der Hecken, Two Studies of Insects. 8 Insects, 5,5 x 13,7 cm, undated, Oil on wood, Kunsthaus Zürich, Permanent loan from a private collection, 2016
Sammlung Knecht
Jan van Kessel (I), Flowers in a Glass Vase with the Metamorphosis of the Silkworm, ca. 1660, Oil on oakwood, 40,3 x 29,5 cm, Kunsthaus Zürich, Permanent loan from a private collection, 2016
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Ferdinand and Karin Knecht, Photo @ Caroline Minjolle

The Kunsthaus Zürich mourns the loss of its dear friend and dedicated supporter

Dipl. Eng. Ferdinand J. Knecht (2 March 1934 – 8 December 2025)

The deceased was a distinguished collector of seventeenth-century Dutch painting. In 2016, the Kunsthaus Zürich had the privilege of welcoming his exquisite collection of more than 50 works as a permanent loan. Assembled with great connoisseurship, these masterpieces have since delighted and moved our visitors.

Together with his wife Karin, Ferdinand Knecht became an honorary member of the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft in June 2016. He was also a lifelong member of the Kunstfreunde Zürich.

With deep gratitude and in loving remembrance,
Ann Demeester, Director, and all staff of the Kunsthaus Zürich
Dr Philipp Hildebrand, President, and the Board of the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft
Gitti Hug, President, and the Board of the Kunstfreunde Zürich

Teaser-Visitorguide-Besuch-planen

Where can I find the Knecht Collection?

At the Moser-Building 1st floor, see our interactive visitor guide!

To the visitor guide