Collection de l'Art Brut

Housed in the elegant 18th-century Château de Beaulieu, the Collection de l'Art Brut offers a unique window into the creative minds of individuals outside traditional academic circuits. Located in Lausanne, Switzerland, this museum holds one of the world's most important collections of art by self-taught creators. It grew out of the collection that the French artist Jean Dubuffet, who coined the term art brut, donated to the city in 1971, and it opened in 1976. The collection showcases the raw, authentic human expression found in art that defies conventional rules.

Visitors are invited to explore the permanent exhibition, which highlights the radical inner freedom of artists such as Adolf Wölfli, Aloïse Corbaz and Augustin Lesage, many of whom worked in psychiatric hospitals, prisons or isolation. The museum features a diverse range of media, including sculptures, drawings, and textile works, offering a profound look at the human condition. The building itself, a historic manor, provides an intimate atmosphere that complements the intimate nature of the artworks.

Besides the permanent collection, the museum regularly stages temporary exhibitions and its Biennale de l'Art Brut. It is usually closed on Mondays outside July and August, and lies a short bus ride or a 15-minute walk from the city centre. This cultural landmark serves as a vital reference for understanding the breadth of human creativity beyond traditional academic boundaries.