I had the pleasure of seeing a traveling exhibit at the Musée Maillol. It was the private art collection belonging to Emil Bührle. This was the debut of this collection in France. Emil Bührle had one of the most prestigious private art collections in the world. These paintings and statues were on their way to a new wing in Zurich’s Kunsthaus which is set to open in 2021. 

Emil Bührle was a German born Swiss man who died in 1956. He was an industrialist. The full art collection consists of over 600 pieces. The collection was faced with some controversy when it was discovered that art obtained during WWII might have been looted. After returning these 13 works to the original owners Bührle offered to purchase these paintings back. He acquired back nine of them.

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The collection includes Monets, Degas, Cezannes,  Toulouse-Lautrecs and Piccasos to name a few.  

Bührle collected a range of work. He collected pieces from the Renaissance to modern times all of which highlighted common characteristics found in the different pieces.

This is an amazing collection. It was wonderful to see some of the Masters in this small setting. Someday I’ll make it to Zurich to see the whole collection.