Konrad Bernheimer, expert in Old Masters Paintings

Konrad O. Bernheimer, expert in Old Masters Paintings, answered the Artfinding's exclusive interview about his specialty and vision of the global art market.

Celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Colnaghi is the world's oldest commercial art gallery and the only survivor of the grand Old Master galleries in London's Old Bond Street. Paul Colnaghi established the gallery with his partner Anthony Torre in Paris in 1760 and then in 1783 took over the London branch in Pall Mall. As a result of the French Revolution the business was transferred to London, becoming printsellers to King George IV. By the end of the 19th century the firm had begun dealing in Old Master paintings and drawings and was instrumental in the formation of some of the most important American collections, including that of Isabella Stewart Gardner, Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Mellon. In 2002, the Old Master paintings dealer Konrad O. Bernheimer acquired Colnaghi and joined forces with the renowned Old Master drawings dealer, Katrin Bellinger. Colnaghi continues to operate as one of the world's most important dealerships, specialising in Master paintings and drawings from the 15th to the 19th century.

Comments

• Petra Von Dees (2010-11-04) Report to moderator by the way, Konrad Berheimer is a fourth generation art dealer and he is also the Chairman Pictura of the TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair), so I think he knows what he is talking about! Kiss from Amsterdam (NL). by the way, Konrad Berheimer is a fourth generation art dealer and he is also the Chairman Pictura of the TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair), so I think he knows what he is talking about! Kiss from Amsterdam (NL).
• Petra Von Dees (2010-11-03) Report to moderator @ Lokomo, I believe Mr Berheimer calls the old masters paintings (not antique painters) discipline as the top one on the art trade, because as he explains it is all about passion, a collector won't buy because it is fashionable but because he enjoys the History related to the painting. I am not an expert, but I think the impressionist art you talk about is much more popular and therefore much more easier to approach, even if you don't know much about art. Kiss from Amsterdam (NL). @ Lokomo, I believe Mr Berheimer calls the old masters paintings (not antique painters) discipline as the top one on the art trade, because as he explains it is all about passion, a collector won't buy because it is fashionable but because he enjoys the History related to the painting. I am not an expert, but I think the impressionist art you talk about is much more popular and therefore much more easier to approach, even if you don't know much about art. Kiss from Amsterdam (NL).
• Lokomo (Japan) (2010-11-03) Report to moderator "Old master paintings is the real thing, the top discipline in the art trade"! Of course this dealer can consider the antique paintings as so, he deals in only very popular artists and very high prices. I red in Bloomberg that he sold a Rubens for 5.5 millions ! But I don't think he would consider that the 99% of antique painters who make much lower prices in auctions are the "real thing". I think the impressionist art is much more interesting, these artists have made a real revolution in the way of considering the art of painting. "Old master paintings is the real thing, the top discipline in the art trade"! Of course this dealer can consider the antique paintings as so, he deals in only very popular artists and very high prices. I red in Bloomberg that he sold a Rubens for 5.5 millions ! But I don't think he would consider that the 99% of antique painters who make much lower prices in auctions are the "real thing". I think the impressionist art is much more interesting, these artists have made a real revolution in the way of considering the art of painting.

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