Swiss Dealer Donates Kirchner and Giacometti Works to Bern Kunstmuseum
Eberhard Kornfeld, a prominent Swiss art dealer, auctioneer, and collector, left a valuable bequest of five paintings to the Kunstmuseum in Bern. The collection includes works by renowned artists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Alberto Giacometti, Alfred Sisley, Sam Francis, and Giovanni Giacometti. These paintings will soon be displayed at the museum for all to admire.
Kornfeld was a generous supporter of the Kunstmuseum, having previously donated graphic works by Maurice de Vlaminck, Alfred Kubin, and a mobile by Alexander Calder. His bequest is a testament to his passion for art and his dedication to enriching the museum’s collection.
Throughout his career spanning eight decades, Kornfeld amassed a significant personal art collection and played a role in the establishment of Art Basel and the Kirchner Museum in Davos. He was well-connected in the art world, counting artists like Marc Chagall, Giacometti, and Picasso as his friends.
Despite some unwanted media attention related to his business dealings with Cornelius Gurlitt, Kornfeld’s legacy remains one of artistic excellence and philanthropy. It is believed that his influence may have played a role in Gurlitt’s decision to bequeath his own collection to the Bern Kunstmuseum in 2014.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.