Grisebach
Germany's leading auction house for modern art, based in Berlin.
Grisebach: Berlin's Authority on Modern Art
Grisebach is Germany's highest-revenue auction house for modern art, operating from a historic villa in Berlin's Fasanenstrasse. Founded in 1986 by five art dealers led by Bernd Schultz, it established itself as a serious force on its very first day, generating over four million Deutschmarks at its inaugural auction. In the decades since, Grisebach has become the definitive venue for German Expressionism, classical modernism, and contemporary art at auction in Germany.
The Founding Story
In early 1986, five Berlin art dealers pooled their expertise to create a new kind of German auction house—one driven by connoisseurship rather than bureaucracy. Bernd Schultz, a prominent gallerist, was the originator and driving force. They chose as their home the Villa Grisebach, a distinguished 19th-century building that gives the firm its name. The first preview in November 1986 drew over 2,500 visitors, and the subsequent sale turned a profit immediately. This auspicious start set the tone: Grisebach would compete on knowledge, curation, and trust rather than sheer scale.
Specialties and Market Position
Grisebach holds semi-annual auctions in spring and autumn, focusing on fine art of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, as well as photography and curated "Orangerie" sales of selected objects. The house holds the record for the most expensive artwork ever sold at a German auction: Max Beckmann's "Ägypterin," which realized €5.5 million in the spring 2018 sale. Grisebach's strength lies in German Expressionism (Kirchner, Nolde, Beckmann, Heckel), Bauhaus-era art, and post-war German painting.
| Feature | Grisebach | Lempertz (Cologne) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 | 1845 |
| Headquarters | Berlin | Cologne |
| Primary Focus | Modern & contemporary art | Broad (Old Masters to Asian art) |
| Auction Frequency | Semi-annual (spring/fall) | ~14 per year |
| German Auction Record | Yes (€5.5M, Beckmann 2018) | Multiple records in various categories |
| International Offices | Düsseldorf, Munich, Zürich, New York + reps | Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich + reps |
How Grisebach Works
Consignors can approach Grisebach for a confidential evaluation at its Berlin headquarters or through branch offices in Düsseldorf, Munich, Zürich, and New York, as well as representatives in Hamburg, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Rome, Paris, and Los Angeles. Accepted works are researched, catalogued, and presented in carefully curated auctions that emphasize scholarship and provenance. Bidding is available in person at the Villa Grisebach, by telephone, by written bid, and online. Grisebach also publishes extensive catalogues that serve as reference works in their own right.
Who Should Consider Grisebach
Grisebach is the ideal auction house for sellers and collectors of German and Central European modern art. If you own work by Expressionist, Bauhaus, or post-war German artists, Grisebach's concentrated expertise and collector base will typically achieve stronger results than a generalist international house. Buyers seeking curated, scholarly auctions—rather than the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach of larger houses—will appreciate Grisebach's focused programme. The semi-annual rhythm also makes each sale an event, drawing serious international attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
While Grisebach's core strength is German and Central European art from the 19th through 21st centuries, the house also handles international modern and contemporary works, photography, and selected decorative objects through its Orangerie sales. However, its deepest expertise and strongest buyer base are concentrated in German art.
Grisebach conducts major auctions twice per year, in spring and autumn, at its Berlin headquarters. This semi-annual format allows each sale to be meticulously curated and generates concentrated collector interest for each event.
The most expensive artwork ever sold at a German auction was Max Beckmann's "Ägypterin," which realized €5.5 million at Grisebach's spring 2018 sale. This record underscores the house's position as the leading venue for German modern art.
Yes. Grisebach maintains offices in Zürich and New York, along with representatives in Paris, Rome, Los Angeles, and several other cities. International consignors can arrange evaluations through any of these contacts.
Grisebach includes contemporary art in its auction programme and has expanded its 21st-century offerings. However, the house's primary reputation and buyer base are strongest for established modern artists. For very emerging work, primary market galleries may be more appropriate.
Notable Sales
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