Beatrix Ruf Resigns from Stedelijk Museum Amid Conflict of Interest Allegations

Beatrix Ruf, a highly influential figure in the international art world, has resigned as director of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam following allegations of conflict of interest. The accusations, published by Dutch newspaper NRC, stem from an investigation by journalists Daan van Lent and Arjen Ribbens into a donation of 600 works to the museum by German collector Thomas Borgmann. The donation included pieces by Wolfgang Tillmans, Lucy McKenzie, and Cosima Von Bonin, and a long-term loan of 10 large-scale works by Isa Genzken and Martin Kippenberger. However, the journalists discovered that the donation also involved a purchase agreement for six works by Michael Krebber owned by Borgmann. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Ruf operated a private consulting firm registered in Switzerland, which invoiced over €400,000 in 2015 but was not listed in the museum's annual report of her external activities. The museum distanced itself from the NRC article, but Ruf resigned to protect the institution's interests, stating, "I place the interests of this exceptional institution first, above my individual concerns." Jan Willem Sieburgh, former director of the Rijksmuseum, Tropenmuseum, and Wereldmuseum, has been appointed interim CEO. Ruf had led the Stedelijk since 2014, previously directing the Kunsthalle Zurich for 13 years and curating the 2006 Tate Triennial and 2008 Yokohama Triennial.