Criticism of the Bührle collection in the Kunsthaus Zurich
Shortly before the opening of an extension to the Kunsthaus Zürich, criticism of an exhibition grew.
In the museum’s publications, the Emil Bührle Collection is described as “one of the most important art collections of the 20th century”. Around 170 paintings and sculptures are exhibited, including works by van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne and Picasso. Critics complain that the museum is suppressing problematic aspects of the collection. The Swiss historian Erich Keller published a book entitled “The Contaminated Museum”.
The entrepreneur Bührle had made his fortune primarily through arms production. Large parts of his collection had passed into his possession during the Nazi era, when Jewish artists and art owners often left their possessions behind on the run. Some works from the Bührle Collection had been identified as looted art.
The extension to the Kunsthaus Zürich, designed by the architect David Chipperfield, is due to open on Saturday after six years of construction.
The broadcast also has about the topic “Culture Today” reported on Deutschlandfunk.
This message was broadcast on October 7th, 2021 on Deutschlandfunk.