Whether in painting, sculpture, or crafts, Switzerland produced remarkable art collections in the 19th and 20th centuries. In this new publication, Nicole Bröhan focuses on the personalities behind public private collections and donations to museums. The result is 35 portraits of very different art collectors – from passionate amateurs, art dealers, responsible heirs, artists, to private art historians. Featured are collectors who have gained international recognition, such as Ernst Beyeler, Emil Bührle, or Eberhard W. Kornfeld, as well as passionate art lovers who operated quietly in the background. The texts are biographically structured and shed light on the familial background of the portrayed individuals and their motivations. The focus of the collection is also highlighted.