Colnaghi

The historic London gallery, Colnaghi, was born from the association of Anthony Torres and Paul Colnaghi in 1783. Specialised in the European Old Master paintings and sculptures, as well as art from the Spanish-speaking world, Colnaghi has put quality as its core value since the very beginning. The gallery is known for working hand in hand with museums and being highly committed to research and scholarship.

Colnaghi

Founded in 1760, Colnaghi is one of the oldest commercial art galleries in the world with a long history and a great tradition. From the late nineteenth century, Colnaghi became a leading dealership in Old Master paintings, selling masterpieces to the greatest collectors and museums of the Gilded Age, as well as a gallery with a great reputation for connoisseurship in prints and Old Master drawings . The only major commercial gallery to specialize in works of art from antiquity through to the modern era, Colnaghi now handles rare objects from the Ancient World, the finest Old Masters, and Modern masterpieces. Colnaghi has galleries and specialists in London, New York, and Madrid.

Antique Art

26 Bury Street
London SW1Y 6AL, UK
+44 20 7491 7408

Paseo Eduardo Dato, 13
28010 Madrid, Spain

38 E 70th Street
New York, NY 10021, USA
+1 (917) 261-4022

Mazzoleni - Alberto Burri
Tricephfalous Christ (The Trinity)

Flemish School
Circa 1500
Oil on panel

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Interview with Jorge Coll ~ Co-Director

Luigi Mazzoleni

Jorge Coll in the gallery © Colnaghi

Interview by Pauline Loeb-Obrenan, founder of artfairmag.

Jorge Coll bought Colnaghi in 2015. He was joined five years later by Victoria Golembiovskaya, the founder of House of the Nobleman. I spoke with Jorge about his background, the gallery and his creative ideas for making the difference in the tight antique art market.

artfairmag: Jorge, for those who don’t know you yet, who are you and how did Old Masters come to you?

Jorge Coll: I am a Spanish art dealer, I grew up in Barcelona and, after finishing my studies, I spent four years working in my family’s art dealing business. I bought Colnaghi from the inimitable Konrad Bernheimer upon his retirement in 2016 with my former business partner. In 2019, art curator and dealer Victoria Golembiovskaya joined me as joint CEO in London when my former partner moved onto his own projects, establishing Colnaghi as the only major commercial gallery to specialise in artworks from antiquity through to the modern era.

artfairmag: In 2015, you began working for Colnaghi as so many famous dealers before. Did you feel some kind of pressure? What were the main challenges you faced?

J. C.: In 2016, Contemporary Art perhaps was more where people were drawn towards, and Old Masters had a reputation for being a little more of an exclusive club, as if you needed to have academic knowledge to understand it. I absolutely wanted Colnaghi to be a place where young people could come and feel welcome and not be in embarrassed by their perceived ‘lack of knowledge’. I think that takes time to establish but we have got there through our vibrant team, engaging content and our much talked about programme of exhibitions and events. Last year I was joined by a new partner, Victoria Golembiovskaya, who has dedicated most of her life to modern and contemporary art. We are the only commercial art gallery offering works from antiquity to the modern era, and are excited for what 2021 holds in terms of our cross era and cross category exhibition programme.

artfairmag: Younger collectors are very much attracted by contemporary art. Nevertheless, you manage to seduce them and convince them to buy Old Masters. How do you do that?

J. C.: At Colnaghi, we have worked hard to broaden the reach of Old Master paintings and sculptures through my young team, who love to share knowledge with visitors and our online audience through Instagram and our digital content. Colnaghi also takes a decidedly cross category approach; we exhibit Cranach next to Miro; I think we are seeing this pay off with clients who step from Contemporary art to Old Masters, as opposed to sticking to one category only. This is Colnaghi for the modern client who has dynamic and sophisticated tastes, they are not limited to one field of collecting only.

“I absolutely wanted Colnaghi to be a place where young people could come and feel welcome.”

artfairmag: You have created the Colnaghi Foundation. Can you tell us more about this exciting initiative?

J. C.: The Colnaghi Foundation is our charity which has a mission to engage a wide public with great pre-20th-century art from collections all over the world by means of innovative content relevant to contemporary audiences. The Foundation uses social media, podcasts and livestreams with artists, curators and scholars to promote research, exhibitions, publications, conservation and education, often working in collaboration with museums and other arts organisations. Recent podcasts have included a conversation with one of the curators of “Black in Rembrandt’s Time” at the Rembrandt House in Amsterdam and with Luke Syson about his vision for the future of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Livestreams have featured the Canadian Cree painter Kent Monkman, the historian Simon Schama, the photographer Christy Lee Rogers, the Nigerian painter Babajide Olatunji, and the artist Mat Collishawe. You can follow the foundation on Instagram and youtube to see more of their exciting work!

artfairmag: With the current health crisis, the art world has been forced to enter the digital age. How do you feel about this? Do you think it will change the way you do your job?

J. C.: Colnaghi like the rest of the art world has engaged with online viewing rooms and virtual reality tours of our shows to ensure our clients can stay connected with us and our art works wherever they are in the world. This is so important in this new age of social distancing and working from home. We have seen much positive engagement during this time, sales enquiries through Instagram, and our online viewing rooms. Here’s hoping for the current health crisis to improve this year with the arrival of vaccines and new hope.

artfairmag: To conclude this interview, I would love to know more about a piece that is special for you.

J. C.: At the moment I can’t stop looking at this exquisite little oil on panel we have available, which has been a highlight work of our ‘Dreamsongs: From Medicine to Demons to Artificial Intelligence’ exhibition at Colnaghi London this winter. Flemish School, Tricephfalous Christ (The Trinity), c. 1500, Oil on panel.

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📣 Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @artbasel Hong Kong 2024 
• Proyectos Monclava: Mexico
@_monclova 
• Almine Rech: London, Paris, NYC, Shanghai, Brussels, Monaco, Venice, Gstaad
@alminerech 
• Vadehra Art Gallery: New Delhi
@vadehraartgallery 
• Galerie Greta Meert: Brussels
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• Galleria d’Arte Maggiore: Bologna, Venice, Paris
@maggioregam 
• C L E A R I N G: Los Angeles, New York, Brussels
@clearing_ny_bxl_la 

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #artfair #artcollector #artdealer #modernart #contemporaryart

📣 Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @artbasel Hong Kong 2024
• Proyectos Monclava: Mexico
@_monclova
• Almine Rech: London, Paris, NYC, Shanghai, Brussels, Monaco, Venice, Gstaad
@alminerech
• Vadehra Art Gallery: New Delhi
@vadehraartgallery
• Galerie Greta Meert: Brussels
@galeriegretameert
• Galleria d’Arte Maggiore: Bologna, Venice, Paris
@maggioregam
• C L E A R I N G: Los Angeles, New York, Brussels
@clearing_ny_bxl_la

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #artfair #artcollector #artdealer #modernart #contemporaryart
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The amazing Encounters sector at @artbasel 2024! 17 large-scale installations integrated within the fair and well-curated by @alexieglass.

My two favorite were:
• ‘Once Upon a Time’ by Li Wei, presented by @tangcontemporaryart
• ‘Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy’ created by @mak2protein for the fair and presented by @desarthegallery.
It’s was so much fun to navigate throw these amazing artworks!
Arty outfit by @elisechalmin 🙏 

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #mak2 #liwei #largescaleart #artinstallation #artlover #contemporaryart

The amazing Encounters sector at @artbasel 2024! 17 large-scale installations integrated within the fair and well-curated by @alexieglass.

My two favorite were:
• ‘Once Upon a Time’ by Li Wei, presented by @tangcontemporaryart
• ‘Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy’ created by @mak2protein for the fair and presented by @desarthegallery.
It’s was so much fun to navigate throw these amazing artworks!
Arty outfit by @elisechalmin 🙏

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #mak2 #liwei #largescaleart #artinstallation #artlover #contemporaryart
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@artbasel Hong Kong 2024! A very exciting edition full of discoveries with 243 galleries from around the world.

My three highlights are: 
• @ryanjgander at @galeriemennour 
• @artistjinju at @arariogallery_official 
• @mrdoodle at @pearllamgalleries 

👗Arty outfit by @elisechalmin

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #hongkong #contemporaryart #artlover #mrdoodle #artcollector

@artbasel Hong Kong 2024! A very exciting edition full of discoveries with 243 galleries from around the world.

My three highlights are:
• @ryanjgander at @galeriemennour
• @artistjinju at @arariogallery_official
• @mrdoodle at @pearllamgalleries

👗Arty outfit by @elisechalmin

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #hongkong #contemporaryart #artlover #mrdoodle #artcollector
...

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My full article about @drawingnowartfair is now online, on artfairmag.com ✨

#drawingnow #artlover #drawing #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #artfair

My full article about @drawingnowartfair is now online, on artfairmag.com ✨

#drawingnow #artlover #drawing #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #artfair
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@galerieericmouchet at @drawingnowartfair 2024. Léo Marin presents a work by Samuel Tranquier.
@curator.on.the.run 

#samueltranquier #drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #ericmouchet

@galerieericmouchet at @drawingnowartfair 2024. Léo Marin presents a work by Samuel Tranquier.
@curator.on.the.run

#samueltranquier #drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #ericmouchet
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@ayyamgallery at @artdubai 2024. @mayyasamm presents a striking blue work by @rulahalawani.

#artdubai #photography #contemporaryart #artoftheday

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#artdubai #photography #contemporaryart #artoftheday
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📣Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @drawingnowartfair 2024
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• Galerie Ariane C-Y: Paris
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• Galerie C: Neuchâtel, Paris
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#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #artlover #artenthusiast #contemporaryart

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• Galerie Éric Mouchet: Paris, Forest Brussels
@galerieericmouchet
• Galerie Ariane C-Y: Paris
@galeriearianecy
• Galerie C: Neuchâtel, Paris
@galerie_c
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#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #artlover #artenthusiast #contemporaryart
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@drawingnowartfair 2024 was my hunting ground today to find the perfect drawing for my home. Mission accomplished with a stunning floral composition by @camillechastang presented in @doublevgallery’s dreamlike booth.
Drawing Now, March 21-24, 2024 at the @carreaudutemple, Paris.

The two other works are:
• @emilferris at @galerie.martel 
• @chiharushiota at @galerietemplon 
Pink wall at @galerie_suzanne_tarasieve’s booth

Thanks @clmdmn for filming 🙏 

#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #drawing #carreaudutemple #paris

@drawingnowartfair 2024 was my hunting ground today to find the perfect drawing for my home. Mission accomplished with a stunning floral composition by @camillechastang presented in @doublevgallery’s dreamlike booth.
Drawing Now, March 21-24, 2024 at the @carreaudutemple, Paris.

The two other works are:
• @emilferris at @galerie.martel
• @chiharushiota at @galerietemplon
Pink wall at @galerie_suzanne_tarasieve’s booth

Thanks @clmdmn for filming 🙏

#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #drawing #carreaudutemple #paris
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In conversation with @manuelarayo, founder of @miraartfair which will take place next September in Paris. This fair, dedicated exclusively to Latin American artists, aims to fill a gap in the European art scene, offering a platform for the rich diversity and cultural vibrancy of Latin America. With a focus on quality over quantity, MIRA promises an intimate and exclusive experience, showcasing 20 high-caliber galleries and fostering deep, meaningful connections among artists, collectors, and the public.
Thank you Manuela for your smile and good energy!

#miraartfair #latinamericanart #latinamerica #colombianart #mexicanart #contemporaryart #parisart #artfair

In conversation with @manuelarayo, founder of @miraartfair which will take place next September in Paris. This fair, dedicated exclusively to Latin American artists, aims to fill a gap in the European art scene, offering a platform for the rich diversity and cultural vibrancy of Latin America. With a focus on quality over quantity, MIRA promises an intimate and exclusive experience, showcasing 20 high-caliber galleries and fostering deep, meaningful connections among artists, collectors, and the public.
Thank you Manuela for your smile and good energy!

#miraartfair #latinamericanart #latinamerica #colombianart #mexicanart #contemporaryart #parisart #artfair
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@robilantvoenagallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. @stanislas.mf presents an incredible Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.

#artemisiagentileschi #antiquepainting #tefaf #oldmasterpainting #femaleartist #renaissanceart #renaissance

@robilantvoenagallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. @stanislas.mf presents an incredible Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.

#artemisiagentileschi #antiquepainting #tefaf #oldmasterpainting #femaleartist #renaissanceart #renaissance
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Discover my full coverage of @tefaf Maastricht 2024, now on artfairmag.com!

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #contemporaryart #modernart #artofinstagram #artlover #artcollector

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#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #contemporaryart #modernart #artofinstagram #artlover #artcollector
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Landau Fine Art at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder Jennifer Landau presents a masterpiece by Vassily Kandinsky from 1910.

#vassilykandinsky #kandinsky #tefaf #tefafmaastricht #abstraction #masterpiece #modernart #modernpainting

Landau Fine Art at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder Jennifer Landau presents a masterpiece by Vassily Kandinsky from 1910.

#vassilykandinsky #kandinsky #tefaf #tefafmaastricht #abstraction #masterpiece #modernart #modernpainting
...

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