Christian Sell German, 1831-1883

Otto von Wesendonck (1815-1896)

Otto von Wesendonck was an amateur collector of paintings and published himself the catalogue "Gemäldessammlung von Otto Wesendonck", Berlin 1888. His favourite period was the late 15^th up to the early 18^th century, and he tried to get examples of the most important masters, sometimes knowingly a copy or of their school. He did not use an "agent" like other art collectors, instead he did all the purchases himself. His collection was presented at his villa in Zurich, and thirty pictures were exhibited in Berlin at the "Ausstellung der Kunstgeschichtlichen Gesellschaft" at the Berlin Academy. In 1893 the largest part of the collection was given to the museum in Bonn, where a new wing was added.

For details see: Langer/Walton, Minne, Muse, Mäzen. Otto und Mathilde Wesendonck, Zurich 2002.