This collection of artworks has grown over the years, and I no longer wished to keep it restricted to just a few guests in my own private living room. As my collection grew, I began to wonder: “What should I do with these pictures?”

There are several reasons why I settled on the idea of turning my private collection into a public museum. I want to tell the moving stories of the people behind these artworks. For this reason, their biographies are here placed centre-stage. These artists of the “Lost Generation” – the so-called “degenerates” and the ostracised – should finally get the recognition that was denied them during their lifetime. Furthermore, the high artistic quality of their work should also be acknowledged. With this Museum, I want to create an inviting space that exudes a sense of wellbeing – both for the “lost” artists themselves, as it were, and for visitors. This Museum should not be just a thought-provoking place of remembrance. It should be a museum that is full of life: a space for people to come together, for readings, events and discussions.

Above and beyond this, the private character of this collection and of the Museum should be both retained and continued. Step-by-step, and in exhibitions of our own, we are presenting the paintings from the collection to the public in exhibitions that are held roughly once a year. The members of the “Lost Generation” are thus on permanent exhibition, and remain a long-term topic of debate. Most of these paintings have never been shown before in public.

These artists of the “Lost Generation” have hitherto received little attention, neither in art histories nor in our own time. It is only in recent years that historians and art historians alike have begun to engage with this generation of artists as a whole. One of the tasks of my Museum is to help fill this gap in art history by making known the biographies of these artists, and by placing them in the scholarly context of art history and of the history of their times.

The life stories of these men and women should also be preserved in societal memory, and for future generations. Only by learning their stories, by treating them with the necessary respect, and by retaining an awareness of their fate can we create a sound basis for us to gaze with equanimity into the future. My prime concern is to help create conditions under which society cannot repeat the inhumanity experienced by these artists and all victims. If witnesses to those times can no longer speak to us and cannot pass on their experiences, then we need to create a bridge from them into the present and into the future. The biographies of the “Lost Generation” provide us with just such a bridge.

Prof. Dr Heinz R. Böhme,
Founder of the Museum

“There is nothing better than standing up for imperishable values.”
– Hanna Bekker vom Rath (1893-1983), letter to Alexej Jawlensky (1865-1941), 1940

The Circle of Friends & Patrons makes it possible to fulfill this task through the support of private individuals and companies. Connected by an interest in the Lost Generation, it promotes the museum and the shared discourse.

Every Friend & Patron can decide how involved they wish to be and to what extent they would like to provide financial support.
Support us with a one-off or annual donation to enable our ongoing museum work and painting acquisitions. Or support one of the Museum’s projects such as the publication of the second volume of our collection catalogue or a new exhibition. Companies, legal entities and associations are also welcome to take part in supporting us. You will enjoy exclusive benefits throughout the museum.

In return for an minimum amount of EUR 80.- you will receive as Friend:

Free admission to the museum for you and one accompanying person
Information about the museum and collection
Invitation to a personal exchange of ideas
Invitation to exclusive supporter events

In return for an minimum amount of EUR 250.- you will receive as Patron:

Free admission to the museum for you and one accompanying person
Free guided tour for up to 5 persons, once a year
Information about the museum and collection
Invitation to a personal exchange of ideas
Invitation to exclusive events
2 museum admissions to gift

If you would like to support a project at the Museum, such as new exhibitions, publications or the restoration of a painting, we will be happy to personally inform you about our current projects.
For application please use this form or write us an E-Mail.

The Museum “Art of the Lost Generation” is run as a non-profit foundation.
We should be delighted to receive your contribution in support of our work.

Tax deductibility of donations

Donations to the non-profit foundation “Prof. Dr. Heinz R. Böhme Foundation Salzburg” are tax-deductible in Austria. The Museum “Art of the Lost Generation” is registered under the number MP-17365 on the list of charitable institutions maintained by the Austrian Federal Finance Ministry (tax deductibility of donations in accordance with § 4a Para. 2 line 5 of the Income Tax Act, EStG).

We will be happy to inform you in person of possible forms of support, and can provide details on the provision of receipts for charitable donations.

Bank details

Museum Kunst der Verlorenen Generation
Raiffeisenbank Anif-Niederalm
IBAN: AT49 3500 5000 0006 5656
BIC: RVSAAT2S005

In order for us to carry out the obligatory electronic reporting via FinanzOnline, we kindly request that you state your first name, surname, social security number and date of birth when transferring monies.