ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

Situated in the heart of Zurich, near the Kunsthaus and Schauspielhaus, Galerie Thalberg has built its specialization in modern and contemporary art with a focus on post‑war prints.

Could you share how the gallery was founded and how this geographic and institutional context shapes its identity today?

Galerie Thalberg was established in 2014 through the takeover of Galerie Ehrensperger, which had been founded in the early 1980s by Franz and Ingrid Ehrensperger. The Ehrenspergers specialized in prints by internationally renowned modern and contemporary artists as a traditional art trade with a focus on Modern Masters, Pop Art, and contemporary artists from Zurich.

Installation view: Pablo Picasso – A Selection of Rare Etchings, May 17 – July 12, 2025. Curated selection of rare etchings from Picasso’s 347 and 156 series. All works were printed before the official edition as Bon à tirer and H.C. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

With a clear emphasis on prints and graphic works from the post‑war period, what criteria guide your selection? Are there particular artists, movements, or aesthetic narratives that define your exhibitions?

Our curatorial approach continues to build on the foundation established by Galerie Ehrensperger, while at the same time shaping its own profile. The gallery maintains a strong focus on Modern Masters and Pop Art, complemented by Swiss constructivist art, Nouveau Réalisme, and contemporary positions from former Yugoslavia. This selection reflects both an engagement with internationally recognized artistic movements and a sustained interest in regional developments that contribute to the diversity of post-war art.

Installation view: Modern Masters, February 3 - March 16, 2024. Featuring works by Modern Masters such as an Andy Warhol Dollar Sign print and a large-scale print by Joan Miró, shown alongside a sculpture by contemporary Serbian artist Mrdjan Bajic. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

Your exhibition record includes shows such as Modern Masters with Warhol, Chagall, Bacon, Lichtenstein, Picasso, Miró, and Niki de Saint Phalle, and The Currents of Italian New Tendencies | 60s, exploring geometric abstraction. How do these presentations reflect the gallery’s curatorial vision?

Our main focus is to create a dialogue between historical and contemporary positions. Unlike many galleries that concentrate exclusively on contemporary art, we intentionally revisit the Modern Masters, emphasizing the origins and trajectories of post-war art. By establishing this foundation, contemporary movements can be better understood in relation to the traditions from which they emerged. This approach not only emphasizes continuity in artistic developments but also allows audiences to experience how past innovations continue to shape the present.

Installation view of the current exhibition: The Currents of  Italian New Tendencies | 60's, July 17 - September 25, 2025. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

You work with a distinguished roster – artists such as Max Bill, Victor Vasarely, Frank Stella, and others. How do you balance representing these figures with building exhibitions that engage contemporary audiences?

We regularly collaborate with contemporary artists in order to expand our program beyond purely historical positions. For instance, in spring 2025 we presented a solo exhibition of the Serbian artist Marko Ladjusic. At the same time, we frequently combine Modern Masters with contemporary artists in our exhibitions, creating a bridge between historical legacies and current artistic practices. In 2024, for instance, we organized the exhibition Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst meet Pop Art, which brought together distinct periods and artistic movements. Interestingly, we also observe that younger clients are increasingly drawn to the “old” Modern Masters.

Best of Thalberg, September 05 - October 26, 2024. 10^th anniversary of our gallery. Works by Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall, Donald Judd, Francis Bacon, Frank Stella and Mrdjan Bajic on display. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

Best of Thalberg, September 05 - October 26, 2024. 10^th anniversary of our gallery. Works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein on display. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

Galerie Thalberg offers advisory services, art sourcing, and collection valuations, collaborating with both auction houses and private collectors. How does this service model support collectors and institutions in building or refining their collections?

With our expertise, we support collectors in evaluating both collections and individual artworks. We provide guidance on authenticity, long-term value, and market position – factors that are often difficult to assess without professional insight. In addition, we assist in sourcing specific works or comparable pieces for clients that are not easily accessible on the open market. Through our exhibitions, established collectors are also introduced to new artists and works, allowing them to expand their perspective and enrich their collections.

Installation view of the current exhibition: The Currents of  Italian New Tendencies | 60's, July 17 - September 25, 2025. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

Display window: Best of Thalberg, September 05 - October 26, 2024. 10^th anniversary of our gallery. Unique pieces by Calder, Dubuffet, Tinguely, Ben Vautier, Christo, Max Bill, Julije Knifer, Damien Hirst, a.o. Photo Credits: Galerie Thalberg

Are there upcoming exhibitions, projects, or initiatives – such as new thematic shows or artist focuses – on the horizon that you would like to highlight?

After our current exhibition The Currents of Italian New Tendencies, which presents works by Mira Brtka, Nobuya Abe, Aldo Schmid, Bruno Conte, Marcia Hafif, Paolo Patelli, Shu Takahashi, Antonio Franchini, and Milena ÄŒubraković to provide a multifaceted insight into the Italian art scene of the 1960s, we will open our new exhibition Jean Tinguely (100 years) and Friends: Niki de Saint-Phalle, Ben Vautier, Arman, Daniel Spoerri on September 27 and it runs until November 12. With this exhibition we’ll celebrate 100 years of Jean Tinguely and show different pieces by him with a focus on works on paper and prints, alongside single works by his wife and longtime collaborator Niki de Saint-Phalle and his artist friends from Nouveau Réalisme such as Arman, Ben or Spoerri.

For more on auctions, exhibitions, and current trends, visit our Magazine Page