Herbert Lust, the self-proclaimed ‘accidental collector’ who befriended legendary artists like Giacometti and Indiana, passed away at 99. Born into modest circumstances on a farm in Indiana, Lust’s path crossed with Paris’s art world when he sat next to Giacometti at a luncheon in 1949. Despite his initial fib about escaping the Russian invasion, Lust eventually bought works from Giacometti and other prominent artists during his studies.

After a stint as an investment banker, Lust became a serious collector, amassing over 1,000 artworks, including substantial holdings by Indiana, Giacometti, and Bellmer. His eccentricity extended to writing catalogues and essays on the very artists he collected, cementing his place in art history.

Lust’s life spanned significant shifts in the art world, from his youth as a burgeoning novelist to his later years as a gallery owner. He left behind not only a legacy of artworks but also a unique narrative of chance and resilience—his life truly an accident that turned out beautifully.