As part of Luxembourg Art Week and its international fair, Mudam invites the public to reflect on the meaning of art collection for both institutions and individuals. While museums serve a civic role in preserving and presenting works for current and future generations, private collectors may acquire pieces for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes, these motivations align with a museum’s interests: this was the case with the Schürmann donation to Mudam in 2023, which enabled the museum to acquire works that, otherwise, could not have been shown to the Luxembourg public.

During this conversation between Wilhelm Schürmann, a renowned collector and curator and Éléonore Moreau-Gentien, a young, emerging collector and mentor for the Young Collectors Club, we will hear their perspectives on questions such as: Why do people start collecting artworks? For what purpose? What criteria guide the selection of pieces? What are the differences between a private collection and a public collection?

Through this exchange, the public will gain a better understanding of the art of collecting and hear advice and recommendations from two experienced collectors.

Biographies:

Wilhelm Schürmann (1946, Dortmund) first became interested in art in the early 1970s, initially through the history of photography. A photographer and teacher in this field, he co-founded one of Europe’s first photography galleries in 1974. The first acquisition of the Gaby and Wilhelm Schürmann Collection was by Hans Haacke, which the artist offered in exchange for photographs by Schürmann that Haacke selected for his work Der Pralinenmeister (1981). This was followed by works by Martin Kippenberger, Albert Oehlen and Günther Förg. In the early 1990s, the collection turned to American art, with a particular interest in West Coast artists like Jack Goldstein, Mike Kelley, Paul McCarthy and Raymond Pettibon. The collection comprises around 2,000 works from the 1960s to present day, as well as photographic prints from the 1920s to the present. It focuses on social issues and works characterised by their relevance to reality, their openness, or their humour. Gaby and Wilhelm Schürmann do not consider their collection to be private property or an object of prestige, but rather an element of cultural value that depends on the public for its existence. In 2025, Wilhelm Schürmann is co-curator of Radio Luxembourg. Echoes Across Borders, a group exhibition presenting works from his collection and that of Mudam.

Eléonore Moreau-Gentien is a passionate art collector whose journey began unexpectedly when, as a child, she was gifted her first artwork by her parents after being captivated by pieces on display in an art gallery. This early experience sparked a lasting interest in art, which she has since woven into her professional and personal life. A practising lawyer, Eléonore bridges her legal expertise with her love for art. She pursued specialised studies in art law at Christie’s and deepened her understanding of art history at the École du Louvre. Her collection reflects a commitment to artists engaged with social justice and women’s rights, championing voices that challenge and inspire. Recognising that many in her circle were drawn to her collection yet felt that collecting was out of reach or too complex, Eléonore co-founded the Young Collectors Club. The non-profit association fosters a vibrant community of established collectors, aspiring collectors and art enthusiasts through monthly events and exclusive benefits, all while supporting the Luxembourg art scene.