Jean Paul Barbier and Monique Barbier-Mueller, keen collectors with an extremely sharp eye, have always been extraordinarily curious and had an extremely good knowledge of arts from all around the world.
They expressed their interest in transmitting non-European collections and their desire to keep collections united in 1977 with the creation of the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva, which preserves and perpetuates the collections begun by Josef Mueller in 1907. They also had a strong link with the musée national des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, whose collection merged with that of the musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac - with which they were also particularly close. The couple pointed out a filled in the gaps in these collections. (http://www.barbier-mueller.ch/)
The number of exceptional works given or sold by Jean Paul Barbier and Monique Barbier-Mueller to the musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac is equal to 1228, of which 502 are donations.
On Tuesday March 11th 2008, Jean Paul Barbier and Monique Barbier-Mueller gave two Olmec works to the musée du Quai Branly during a special evening, in the presence of the Minister of Culture and Communication (see the Americas section).
The donations by Jean Paul Barbier and Monique Barbier-Mueller to the musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac have enriched all of the Collections from mixed geographical areas.