Art Basel Founder Ernst Beyeler Dies

Legendary modern art dealer, Ernst Beyeler died of natural causes on February 25 of at his Swiss home at 88. He left behind a collection of works from Monet, van Gogh, and Picasso as well as his indelible imprint on the art world. The founder of Art Basel began amassing his impressive private collection as a young man. At 24, Beyeler took over an antiquarian book and print shop in Basel, Switzerland and with the help of his eye, taste, and business sense, he went on to become one of the most influential modern art dealers in all of Europe. Beyeler brokered some of the industry’s most important sales in recent history, like van Gogh’s portrait of Joseph Roulin that the MoMA bought for $50 million. “He has a razor-sharp business brain,” one of Beyeler’s competitors told The Independent in 1993. Beyeler’s close relationship with Picasso, who allowed him free rein in choosing pieces for sales and shows, also helped with important acquisitions. Beyeler’s pension for hunting for those special works lead him to help establish Art Basel in 1971, an art fair that has helped his Swiss hometown become an international art hub.