Legacy.

Ernst Beyeler managed to acquire a prestigious collection. He made his collection evolve trough time and finally fulfilled the dream of a life-time by displaying the works in his very own foundation: a place built as a tribute to artists and their work. Moreover a place where his collection could continue to evolve and where he could still set up new exhibitions in the spirit of his gallery in Basel. True to his nature he decided to stay in his home-town.

A businessman.

Ernst Beyeler at Art Basel, 1970

Beyeler's carrier as a businessman is important for his collection. Had he not grown rich thanks to arts dealing he would never had been able to set up a collection of two hundred and fifty pieces! http://www.fondationbeyeler.ch/sammlung/werke. Of course, money granted him freedom. This is why he did not want to benefit from states credits for the foundation.
The foundation attracts approximatively 60 000 visitors a year. The entry is not free and many visitor are attracted by the gift-shop...Was mercantilism a necessary concession to keep freedom ? Probably. However, Beyeler will be remembered for his demanding nature for both business and art.

Samuel Keller and the future of the collection.

Samuel Keller and Ernst Beyeler the Fondation Beyeler

Beyeler died on February 27, 2010, leaving Samuel Keller in charge of the Foundation. Samuel Keller is the former head of Art Basel and was close to Ernst Beyeler. Since his death two exhibitionss were set at the foundation: A Jean-Michel Basquiat retrospect and VIENNA 1900 – Klimt, Schiele and their Times. The Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition was impressive and drew links with  modern artist like Picasso, Andy Warhol's Pop Art, and Basquiat's African origins. This exhibition remained true tothe spirit of Beyeler's collection : make works of art enter into dialogue.

In this video: Samuel Keller about the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition

VIENNA 1900 in addition to Klimt and Schiele displayed a presentation of furniture of the time.

The Klimt and Schiele exhibition somehow left the visitor hungry for more as far as the number of painting was concerned.
Combining the spirit of Beyeler's collection and remaining relevant as a profitable institution surely represents the challenges for the future of the foundation.