Günter Kaußen: A Collector of Diverse Tastes

Günter Kaußen, according to accounts from those who knew him well, was a man driven by a powerful urge to collect. His passions spanned a wide array of interests, from the vibrant world of ornamental fish to the quiet contemplation of philosophical texts.

His fascination with guppies, small fish known for their rapid reproduction and colorful fins, led him to amass hundreds of aquariums. These were not confined to a single location but reportedly filled the offices of his real estate firm near the heart of Cologne.

Kaußen's collecting extended beyond living creatures. He also cultivated a significant collection of plants, which he would often repot and place on his employees' desks. His intellectual curiosity was reflected in his extensive library, which is said to have comprised 70,000 volumes.

Art was another significant area of Kaußen's collecting endeavors. One former employee noted that Kaußen possessed what was considered one of the world's largest collections of graphics by the artist Max Ernst. Intriguingly, newly acquired works were often left unpacked and stored in stacks rather than being displayed.