The relationship of Eugen Bleuler with psychoanalysis can be characterized as a history of overture and distance. In previous literature this relationship has been mainly studied from a historical and biographical point of view. In this article the authors review the history of Bleuler's attitude toward psychoanalysis from an ideengeschichtlich point of view. They distinguish and argue three periods. 1896-1906: the initial period was one of overt appreciation and positive rapprochement; 1906-1911: Bleulers initial positive attitude is more and more thwarted by fundamental theoretical disagreement and by his opposition against Freud's group building strategy; from 1912 on, Bleuler clearly dissociates himself from psychoanalytic theory and movement. An interpretation of this evolution is given in terms of personal and above all of theoretical incompatibility.