The Scharf Collection: A Century of Art on Display at Berlin's Alte Nationalgalerie

For the first time, the Scharf Collection—one of Germany's most significant private art assemblages—is on public display at Berlin's Alte Nationalgalerie. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a family's century-long dedication to art.

Spanning over four generations, the Scharf Collection features approximately 150 works, primarily French art from the 19th and 20th centuries, alongside contemporary international pieces. This exhibition not only showcases masterpieces by artists like Francisco Goya, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso but also highlights the evolution of private art collecting and its impact on public appreciation.

The origins of the Scharf Collection trace back to Otto Gerstenberg (1848–1935), a prominent Berlin insurance executive and art collector. Gerstenberg's collection encompassed works from the dawn of modernism, including pieces by Francisco Goya, Gustave Courbet, and Edgar Degas. Despite significant losses during World War II, his daughter, Margarethe Scharf, managed to preserve a substantial portion of the collection. This legacy was further expanded by subsequent generations, notably by René Scharf and his wife Christiane, who incorporated contemporary artworks into the collection.

The exhibition offers a comprehensive journey through European art history, featuring works by:

• Francisco Goya: Early 19th-century prints from series such as "The Disasters of War" and "La Tauromaquia."
• Impressionists: Paintings by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Paul Cézanne.
• Post-Impressionists: Works by Pierre Bonnard and Henri Matisse.
• Modernists: Pieces by Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger.
• Contemporary Artists: Artworks by Katharina Grosse, Daniel Richter, Sam Francis, and Jasper Johns.

A special highlight is the complete collection of prints by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, including the "Elles" series, which offers intimate portrayals of Parisian life.

René Scharf, the current custodian of the collection, emphasized the importance of sharing these artworks with the public. He noted that while individual pieces had been loaned to various exhibitions over time, the collection as a whole deserved broader visibility. This sentiment led to the decision to collaborate with the Alte Nationalgalerie for this landmark exhibition.

The public unveiling of the Scharf Collection holds significant cultural value, offering insights into the evolution of European art and the enduring legacy of private collectors in preserving art history. It also underscores the importance of intergenerational stewardship in maintaining and expanding art collections.

Exhibition Details

• Title: The Scharf Collection: Goya – Monet – Cézanne – Bonnard – Grosse
• Venue: Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin
• Dates: October 24, 2025 – February 15, 2026
• Admission: €16.00; reduced price €8.00

Following its Berlin run, the exhibition is scheduled to move to Düsseldorf's Kunstpalast in March 2026, allowing a broader audience to engage with this remarkable collection.

This comprehensive exhibition not only showcases masterpieces spanning two centuries but also highlights the dedication of the Scharf family in preserving and sharing their artistic heritage with the public.