The art world is abuzz with news that will reshape the landscape of contemporary art galleries! After an impressive three-and-a-half-decade partnership, gallerists Michael Werner and Gordon VeneKlasen are parting ways.
As of February 2026, the duo's highly regarded Michael Werner Gallery will undergo a transformation. Werner will retain the gallery's Berlin location under his name, while VeneKlasen embarks on a new venture, establishing VeneKlasen galleries in London, New York, and Los Angeles. This separation raises intriguing questions about the future of the artists they've championed.
The gallery's history is a fascinating tale of expansion and artistic influence. Werner's journey began in 1963 with Werner & Katz in Berlin, followed by the establishment of Galerie Michael Werner in Cologne in 1969. VeneKlasen joined forces in 1990, opening the New York branch, and became a partner in 2005. Together, they expanded to London in 2012 and Los Angeles in 2024, with a brief foray into Athens.
Michael Werner Gallery has been synonymous with German painting masters, notably Georg Baselitz, whose debut solo exhibition was orchestrated by Werner. Other renowned artists represented include Jörg Immendorff, Markus Lüpertz, A.R. Penck, and Sigmar Polke. The gallery's reach extends to influential figures like Kai Althoff, Marcel Broodthaers, and James Lee Byars, as well as emerging talents such as Sanya Kantarovsky and Issy Wood. They also showcase works by modern art icons like Hans Arp, Joseph Beuys, and Francis Picabia.
But here's where it gets intriguing: the artists post-split. While the duo will continue collaborating on artist projects and museum exhibitions, the specifics of artist representation remain undisclosed. Will there be a reshuffling of artists between the two galleries? And how will this impact the art market and the careers of these celebrated artists?
The story of Michael Werner and Gordon VeneKlasen's collaboration and subsequent split is a testament to the dynamic nature of the art world. It leaves us wondering: What does the future hold for these influential galleries and the artists they've nurtured? The art world eagerly awaits the next chapter.
