Atelier Righini-Fries

The Righini-Fries Foundation runs a museum with changing exhibitions and events in the former studio of the Zurich Righini-Fries artist dynasty. 

The exhibitions are related to the three artists Sigismund Righini (1870-1937), Willy Fries (1881-1965) and Hanny Fries (1918-2009). All three have lived in Zurich, have been involved in art politics and have each found their own artistic language: Sigismund Righini is considered one of the pioneers of the new Swiss Modernism after 1900, while his son-in-law Willy Fries made a name for himself as a portrait and genre painter. His daughter Hanny Fries in turn became famous for her theatre drawings and her expressive figurative painting. The three-generation family of artists has had a significant influence on Zurich's cultural life during the long 20th century. Based on this artistic heritage, the Righini Fries studio draws attention to little known or forgotten aspects of Zurich and Swiss art.

The studio is located in the villa built in 1898 by Hanny Fries' great-grandfather on the upper Klosbachstrasse. Since 2013, this historical place has been the venue for regular temporary exhibitions as well as guided tours, scenic readings, panel discussions and performances.