Private art collections are known for their unique collections of masterpieces. These collections are only visible when the collector wishes. The collections can vary in value, but in this blog you will read about some of the most prestigious private art collections worldwide, housed in both museums and bunkers.

Private art collections are known for their unique collections of masterpieces. These collections are only visible when the collector wishes. The collections can vary in value, but in this blog you will read about some of the most prestigious private art collections worldwide, housed in both museums and bunkers.

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1. The Broad Collection

The collection

The Broad Art Collection is known as one of the world's leading collections of postwar and contemporary art. The collection includes more than 2,000 works and is currently housed in downtown Los Angeles. Although the entire collection cannot be displayed at once, the museum does maintain a storage facility. Visitors can look through windows into the storage facility and get a sense of the entire collection. Some of the artists in this collection include:

• Yayoi Kusama
• Roy Lichtenstein
• Jean-Michel Basquiat
• Cindy Sherman

The Collector

This magnificent collection was built by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. The couple began collecting art in the 1960s, with a focus on contemporary works. Eli and Edythe had a dream to make art accessible to everyone, which led them to found the Broad Museum. Admission to the museum is free, making their vision a reality.

2. The Boros Collection

The collection

The Boros Collection is one of the most remarkable contemporary art collections, both for its extraordinary art and its unique location. Housed in a converted World War II bunker in Berlin, the collection features mainly contemporary and avant-garde works from the 1990s to the present. The building has a varied history, including use as a prison and a techno club. Unfortunately, the collection cannot be viewed daily and is only accessible via guided tours that must be booked in advance. The exclusivity ensures an intimate viewing experience, with deeper insights into the works and the history of the building.
Some of the artists in this collection include:

• Damien Hirst
• Sarah Lucas
• Anselm Reyle
• Olafur Eliasson

The Collector

The Boros Collection was created by Christian and Karen Boros, a couple known for their passion for contemporary art and their innovative approach to collecting. Christian is a Polish advertising magnate who started collecting art in the early 90s. His wife, Karen, shares his passion and together they have shaped the collection. The Boros’ approach is very personal and driven by their own tastes and interests.

Their approach is known for building close relationships with artists and supporting them throughout their careers. Boros’ vision for the collection goes beyond simply exhibiting; they aim to create a living, evolving collection that interacts with its viewers and its surroundings. With the interior of the bunker as a maze, visitors experience the art on a different level, making the collectors’ vision a reality.

3. The Menil Collection

The collection

The Menil Collection in Houston, Texas, is known for its broad and diverse collection of artworks, ranging from prehistoric objects to modern and contemporary art. The collection is especially known for its extensive collection of surrealist works. Furthermore, the art is presented thematically rather than chronologically or geographically, inviting visitors to view artworks in a new way. Some of the artists in the collection include:
- Pablo Picasso
- Max Ernst
- Cy Twombly

The Collector

The collectors, Dominique and John de Menil, started their art collection around 1940. Although the collection initially focused mainly on surrealist art, the collection has since expanded to include art from various cultures and periods.

4. The D. Daskalopoulos collection

The collection

The D. Daskalopoulos Collection is an art collection, best known for its focus on contemporary art. The collection includes over 500 works by both emerging and established artists, with an emphasis on powerful and often experimental works. Some of the well-known artists in the collection include:

• Louise Bourgeois
• Sarah Lucas
• Damien Hirst
• Kiki Smith

The Collector

Greek businessman Dimitris Daskalopoulos began his art collection in the 1990s, driven by his personal passion for art. With his collection, he wanted to collect art that was not only aesthetically impressive, but also addressed profound social and psychological issues. A large part of his collection is permanently loaned to various museums, and he is also involved with cultural institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum and Tate Modern, where he aims to promote dialogue about contemporary art.

5. The François Pinault collection

The collection

This collection is one of the world's most significant and prestigious private art collections, known for its wide range of contemporary and modern art. The collection is mainly exhibited in two historic buildings in Venice and contains over 10,000 works. Some of the artists in the collection include:

• Jeff Koons
• Damien Hirst
• Pablo Picasso
• Takashi Murakami

The Collector

The owner of this lavish collection is François Pinault, a French billionaire businessman and art collector. Fashion fans may know him as the founder of the luxury group Kering, which includes brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. François' passion for art came later in life, which led him to start collecting art in the 1970s.

6. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The collection

This collection is a very important and renowned collection of modern art. The collection is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an ^18th century palace on the Grand Canal in Venice. Peggy lived here for three decades until her death, after which the building was used to display her magnificent collection. The artworks include a wide range of modern works, but the collection has a particularly strong offering in surrealism, abstract expressionism and cubism. Some of the artists in the collection include:

• Pablo Picasso
• Jackson Pollock
• Marcel Duchamp
• René Magritte

The Collector

The collector of this large collection is none other than Peggy Guggenheim herself. Originally from New York, she received a large inheritance in 1920, which made her decide to move to Paris. In Paris, she met several artists who lived in poverty. She supported these artists in their work and growth. In 1938, she opened a gallery for modern art in London, after which she also started collecting art herself. After her collection had grown large enough, she returned to New York and opened a new gallery there in 1942. Four years later, after the war, she moved back to Europe and brought her entire collection to Venice.

7. The Rubell Family collection

The collection

The collection includes thousands of contemporary works by hundreds of different artists. It includes a wide range of types of artwork including paintings, sculptures, photography and installations. Currently, the collection is better known as the Rebell Museum instead of “The Rubell Family Collection”. The museum organizes multiple exhibitions from its collection. These exhibitions focus on a specific theme or artist. In addition, the museum also loans works to other institutions. Some of the artists in this collection include:

• Kara walker
• Jeff Koons
• Yayoi Kusama
• Keith Haring

Another special aspect of this museum is the Artist Residencies. The museum supports artists by offering them the opportunity to create new works while staying in Miami, in the Artist Residencies. The space of the museum is probably bigger than you imagine, with 40 galleries, a research library, a garden and a restaurant, making it an inspiring environment for the artists.

The Collector

Don and Mera Rubell began collecting art in the late 1960s with a weekly budget of $25. Because of their limited resources, they focused more on emerging artists, a tradition they continue to this day. Most of these artists would later become world-famous, but the Rubells do not buy to sell, but to collect and show. Their primary mission has always been to make contemporary art as accessible as possible to the public and to support and promote the artists.

8. The Brant Foundation

The collection

The Brant Foundation’s collection is known for its focus on contemporary and modern art. The collection includes a wide range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and installations. The foundation has two major exhibition spaces in the United States, one in Greenwich and one in New York City. Twice a year, they host long-term exhibitions that draw primarily from their collection. The collection is unique in that the artists are represented in such detail, including works from the earliest period of their art to their most recent works. Some of the artists in the collection include:

• Andy Warhol
• Jean-Michel Basquiat
• Richard Prince
• Cindy Sherman

The Collector

The main collector behind the Brant Foundation is Peter Brant. Peter is a prominent businessman, art collector and philanthropist. He has a great passion for contemporary art and his extensive collection has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of the Brant Foundation. His involvement in the art community is not limited to collecting; he also actively supports various exhibitions, publications and educational programs. Peter's main goal is to promote appreciation for artistic innovation. He tries to achieve this goal through his many activities in the art community.

9. The Louis Vuitton Foundation

The collection

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is a prominent collection of contemporary art and is housed in a museum in Paris. The collection is known for its impressive works that are housed in a striking building that is itself considered an architectural masterpiece. The collection includes more than just paintings and photography; they also have works in other media such as sculptures, video and installation art. Some of the artists in the collection include:

• Yayoi Kusama
• Takashi Murakami
• Gerard Richter
• Olafur Eliasson

The Collector

The principal collector behind the Louis Vuitton Foundation is Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH. Arnault is one of the world's most influential art collectors, and his vision for the foundation reflects his passion for contemporary art and his desire to support and promote artistic innovation.

10. The Saatchi Gallery

The collection

The Saatchi Gallery is located in London and is primarily known for its focus on contemporary art by emerging artists. The gallery has built a unique reputation for exhibiting groundbreaking and often provocative art that pushes boundaries and challenges viewers. Some of the notable artists associated with this collection include:

• Tracey Emin
• Jake and Dinos Chapman
• Jenny Saville
• Rachel Whiteread

The Collector

The Saatchi Gallery's main collector is Charles Saatchi. Charles is a British advertising tycoon and art collector. Saatchi is a major figure in the art world, known for his keen eye for contemporary art and his ability to recognize and support emerging talent. Most of the artists supported by the gallery have gone on to receive significant recognition, which is exactly what the Saatchi Gallery stands for.

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