The Nahmad family, known for their influence in the art world, has been trading works for decades. The descendants of the Lebanese surname, millionaires Ezra and David Nahmad, have one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art. Their collection includes pieces by renowned artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and more.
Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, the Nahmad family has faced violence against Jews, leading them to emigrate several times. In the 1960s, they settled in Milan, Italy, where the brothers discovered their passion for art. Ezra and David are known for seeing art as both a passion and a secure financial investment.
Their works have been loaned and exhibited in some of the world‘s largest museums, such as the Louvre, the Center Pompidou, and the Musée d’Orsay. One of their most successful transactions was the purchase of a Picasso oil painting in 1955, which they acquired for $2.6 million and later sold for $30.8 million.
Forbes magazine estimated the combined value of the Nahmad family’s art collection to be between $7 and $8 billion. They have a warehouse near the Geneva airport that houses an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 works of art, including pieces by Monet, Renoir, Matisse, and a collection of 300 works by Picasso worth a billion dollars.
As of 2024, Forbes reported that the Nahmad brothers have a combined fortune of $4.1 billion. David Nahmad leads with a fortune of $2.3 billion, while Ezra boasts $1.8 billion. The Nahmad brothers continue to be prominent figures in the art world, with their vast collection and successful art trading business.