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About this place
Galerie Gmurzynska in Zurich is a private art gallery known for classic modern art and, above all, the Russian avant-garde. Its flagship sits at Paradeplatz 2, in the middle of the city's banking and shopping district. Entry is free: this is a commercial gallery, not a museum, yet the exhibitions are staged with museum-level ambition.
What is Galerie Gmurzynska?
Polish-born dealer Antonina Gmurzynska opened the gallery in Cologne in 1965. Its second year brought a David Burliuk show, the first avant-garde exhibition it ever mounted. Until 1971 the programme focused on Surrealism, international Constructivism and related movements. That path made the gallery a magnet for international collectors looking for Russian art that was hard to obtain from the Soviet Union.
In 2005, forty years after the founding, Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer relocated the business from Cologne to Zurich. Further branches now operate in Zug, St. Moritz and New York.
What will you see?
The focus is modern and contemporary classics of the 20th century. Expect works by Russian avant-garde figures such as Malevich alongside post-war and living artists. Shows change every few weeks, often pairing historical masters with contemporary names, and are accompanied by catalogues.
Zurich has two exhibition spaces: the flagship at Paradeplatz 2 and a second one at Talstrasse 37, a short walk away. Visit both if you have time.
Why does the Paradeplatz building matter?
The building dates from 1857. In 1917 the Dada movement was founded in the same house, so a gallery of modern art found a home with a strong avant-garde pedigree. The original Galerie Dada is long gone, but Confiserie Sprüngli still operates nearby and makes a fine coffee stop afterwards.
How do you get there, and when should you go?
Paradeplatz is one of Zurich's main tram hubs, and about ten minutes on foot along Bahnhofstrasse from the main railway station. The gallery opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:30 and on Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00; it is closed on Sunday. Both locations keep the same hours. Allow 30 to 60 minutes, and combine the visit with a stroll down Bahnhofstrasse and through the old town.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee? No. Galerie Gmurzynska is a commercial gallery and you can walk in without a ticket.
Can I buy the works on display? Yes. The gallery sells to collectors and institutions, and the staff will talk you through the pieces on view.
How many spaces does the gallery have in Zurich? Two: Paradeplatz 2 and Talstrasse 37.
When was the gallery founded? In 1965 in Cologne. It moved to Zurich in 2005.
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