Kunsthaus Zurich rehangs controversial Bührle Collection with five Van Gogh works and a forgery
This week, Kunsthaus Zurich unveiled a complete reinstallation of the Emil Bührle Collection, now on long-term loan, featuring 205 artworks. Among these are five pieces by Vincent van Gogh, although one is a forgery. A sixth Van Gogh is currently undergoing conservation, while a seventh was removed in 2024 due to concerns regarding its Nazi-era provenance. Emil Bührle (1890-1956), a Swiss arms dealer, built his collection during and after the Nazi regime (1933-45). The exhibition highlights 190 works, including Self-portrait (summer 1887) and Head of a Peasant (March 1885). Additionally, Judith Gérard's 1898 replica of Self-portrait is part of the display. In another development, the Van Gogh Museum may evade closure following discussions with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
Key facts
- The Emil Bührle Collection has been completely redisplayed at Kunsthaus Zurich with 205 works
- Five authentic Van Gogh paintings and one forgery are included in the exhibition
- A sixth Van Gogh is undergoing conservation, while a seventh was withdrawn in 2024 due to Nazi-era issues
- Emil Bührle was a Swiss arms dealer who amassed his collection during and after the Nazi period
- The collection includes works acquired from persecuted Jewish owners
- Branches of blossoming Almond was stolen in 2008 and recovered eight days later
- The Old Tower was withdrawn in 2024 over questions about forced sale from Jewish dealer Walter Feilchenfeldt
- The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam may avoid closure after talks with the Dutch government
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Emile Bernard
- Gustav Schweitzer
- Jean-François Millet
- Felix Mendelssohn
- Paul Cézanne
- Claude Monet
- Edgar Degas
- Judith Gérard
- Emile Schuffenecker
- Paul Gauguin
- Walter Feilchenfeldt
Institutions
- Kunsthaus Zurich
- Emil Bührle Collection
- Emil Bührle Foundation
- Barnes Foundation
- Oerlikon-Bührle
- Marlborough Fine Art
- Paul Cassirer gallery
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Fogg Museum
- Harvard Art Museums
- Van Gogh Museum
- The Art Newspaper
- Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Locations
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- Philadelphia
- United States
- Berlin
- Germany
- Nuenen
- Netherlands
- London
- United Kingdom
- Arles
- France
- Auvers-sur-Oise
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
- Amsterdam
- St. Gallen
- Serbia
- New York
- Cambridge
- Massachusetts