Graphic arts, photographs, illuminated manuscripts & facsimiles collection

This part of the collection includes the work of 18th and 19th century Swiss masters, drafts of decorative art and handicrafts, the estates of renowned architectural draughtsmen, portraits, topographical studies, militaria, calligraphy, Swiss history, social history and political caricatures. Of particular interest are the items bequeathed by Ludwig Vogel.

This part of the collection encompasses a number of different historical events, views, militaria, portraits, playing cards, postcards and posters. The materials published by J. R. Dikenmann and C. von Mechel are of particular interest. A new highlight is the collection of Swiss commercial art established in cooperation with the Swiss Graphic Design Foundation (SGDF).

The ‘Illuminated books & manuscripts’ collection is a small but highly significant collection of Medieval illuminated manuscripts. The gradual from Diessenhofen and a book of hours that once belonged to the Bishop of Sion are special highlights.

The ‘Facsimiles’ collection is a unique collection of illuminated books from various global sources, dating from the 8th to the 16th century.

Further information on the facsimiles collection in the Library 

The collection is internationally renowned. It is made up essentially of three separate sets of holdings: historical photographs (1840 until today), items acquired from the collectors Ruth and Peter Herzog, and the press photo archives of the agencies Presse Diffusion Lausanne and Actualité Suisse Lausanne.