On the basis of generous citizens’ support, the Wuppertal museum has become one of Germany’s most important. To underscore this, in 1961 it was named after the family that gave it decisive impulses from the very beginning.
August and Selma von der Heydt were among the museum’s earliest supporters. They were part of Elberfeld’s wealthy citizenry, possessing a private art collection. Together they donated more than 200 artworks and made numerous purchases possible. Their example moved many citizens to likewise support art and the museum.
From 1952 on, in a series of donations, their son, Eduard von der Heydt, gave his collection of European art to his hometown of Wuppertal, along with selected artefacts of non-European origin. In total, more than 500 artworks stem from him. At the same time, he set up a foundation from whose financial returns more than 200 works were able to be purchased over the decades.
