History of the Chair of East Asian Art History

The development of our competence in research and teaching has been closely tied to Zurich’s Rietberg Museum. Helmut Brinker, the first chair holder, began his research there in 1962 before being appointed to the newly created chair at the University of Zurich in 1982. Hans Thomsen’s tenure added to the community’s specialization in Japanese early modern art. Today, the chair offers a platform for visiting and staff researchers working on global contexts and eco-critical approaches to the arts of various eras and regions of East Asia.