Otto Krebs German entrepreneur and collector Date of Birth: 25.03.1873 Country: Germany

1. Otto Krebs: Collector and Industrialist
2. Early Life and Business Career
3. Art Collection
4. Home in Holzdorf
5. Post-War Fate of the Collection
6. Legacy in the Hermitage

Otto Krebs: Collector and Industrialist

Otto Krebs, a German entrepreneur and art collector, left an indelible mark on the art world.

Early Life and Business Career

Born into a wealthy family, Krebs initially pursued a degree in philosophy in Zurich. However, his destiny lay in business. In 1906, he established a successful steam boiler manufacturing company in Mannheim.

Art Collection

As his business flourished in the 1920s, Krebs embarked on a passion for art. He developed a discerning eye for French Impressionism, amassing a collection of masterpieces by Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. His collection became renowned as the largest private collection of Impressionism in Germany.

Home in Holzdorf

Krebs and his lifelong mistress, pianist Frida Kwast-Hodapp, resided in a grand estate in Holzdorf, near Weimar. The house became a sanctuary for his art collection, providing a backdrop for intimate gatherings.

Post-War Fate of the Collection

Following Krebs' death from cancer in 1943, his collection remained in the basement of his house. In 1945, the house fell under Soviet Army occupation, and the art was seized and transported to the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Legacy in the Hermitage

In 1996, a portion of Krebs' collection was put on display at the Hermitage Museum, giving the world a glimpse of the treasures he had lovingly assembled. Otto Krebs' legacy as a collector continues to inspire art enthusiasts and historians alike.