During his two decades in Africa, Dr. Rau lived a spartan lifestyle but allowed himself one indulgence – purchasing art. He made trips to Europe three times a year to build his collection.

Dr. Rau did not take his acquisitions back to Africa but kept them in storage in Switzerland where he viewed them only on periodic visits.

Unlike most private collectors, Dr. Rau selected each work personally without professional advice. He did not focus on a single area of art nor did he attempt an academic survey of a period or theme. Each individual work triggered his personal esthetic response.

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