Reinhard Ernst sold his mechanical engineering company, used the money to collect abstract art and is now building a museum. He talks about his love of colour, buying paintings for two million euros and his fears for the German economy.
A commercial area in Limburg, Hesse: Reinhard Ernst, 77, tries to open the door to the basement, but it takes time: several keys are required, along with a complicated security code. The door is well secured, behind which lies one of the world’s most valuable collections of abstract art. Nearly 1000 works, many by world-renowned painters, many larger than a garage door. The Harmonic Drive company has its headquarters above it. It manufactures precision gears, and Ernst has become wealthy with it. Ernst is currently building a museum in Wiesbaden in which he will show his paintings.