Bernhard Sprengel

Bernhard Sprengel ( born April 17, 1899 in Hannover, † 22 January 1985 in Hannover ) was a German chocolate manufacturer and art patron. From his private collection of modern art, the Sprengel Museum in Hannover was born.

Life

After Bernhard Sprengel passing his Notabitur in 1917 at the Goethe School in Hanover, he was drafted into the army during the First World War. After his return he began law and political sciences in Kiel, Munich and Würzburg to study. In Kiel he joined in May 1919 as one of the first new members after the First World War, the Corps Holsatia to. The Corps later awarded him an honorary membership. In Würzburg he became the Dr. iur. doctorate.

After an addition completed commercial training in Hamburg, he took over the management of Sprengel chocolate factory in Hanover.

Early Bernhard Sprengel had developed and begun to build a private collection of paintings, sculptures and prints a passion for the art of the 20th century. His collection included, inter alia, Works by Picasso, Chagall, Macke, Beckmann, Marc, Klee and Feininger. On the occasion of his 70th birthday gave Bernhard Sprengel and his wife Margrit in 1969, the complete collection of the city of Hanover and presented simultaneously for 2.5 million marks for the construction of a museum are available.

The museum was opened ten years later due to inner-city strife and received the 85th birthday of the founder officially named the Sprengel Museum.

Hanover Mayor Herbert Schmalstieg said on January 30, 1985: " Only a few cities have the joy of having a connoisseur and patron, as was Dr. Sprengel within its walls. "

Bernhard Sprengel is buried in the family grave of his grandfather on the new St. Nicholas Cemetery in North Hanover district town.

Honors

• The city of Hanover appointed Bernhard Sprengel an honorary citizen.
• From the Land of Lower Saxony, he received several awards.
• The Federal President awarded him in 1959 the Federal Cross of Merit.