Ferdinand J. Knecht

Ferdinand J. Knecht was a prominent Swiss art collector and a former chief of the secret intelligence service P-27. Having transitioned from a successful career as a civil engineer to a passionate collector of 17th-century Dutch paintings, he became renowned for his exquisite collection of Dutch masters, which he generously donated as a permanent loan to the Kunsthaus Zürich. His dedication to art was marked by his detailed knowledge and ability to guide visitors through his collection, enhancing their appreciation of fine details. Knecht passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind a significant cultural legacy in Zurich.