What is the Emil Bührle Collection?

Between 1936 and 1956, the arms manufacturer Emil Bührle (1890–1956) put together a large collection of art which, on his death, comprised 633 works. The collection ranges from medieval sculptures through Dutch and Italian Old Masters to works of Classical Modernism. Its main focus is on Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting.

In 1960, Bührle’s heirs transferred a third of the art collection to the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection and opened it up to the public in a villa on Zollikerstrasse in Zurich. These works have been on long-term loan at the Kunsthaus Zürich since 2021.

The controversy surrounding the Emil Bührle Collection attaches to a number of works that were formerly owned by Jewish people persecuted by the Nazis. A further cause of debate is the fact that Bührle acquired his fortune as an entrepreneur, with much of his wealth coming from arms sales to countries including Nazi Germany.