With galleries already in London, New York, Zurich and Berlin, Haunch of Venison intend to open another space in Manhattan later this year.
The company, which will continue under the direction of Harry Blain and Graham Southern, will operate independently from Christie’s auction business as Haunch of Venison Partners Limited in Europe and Haunch of Venison, Inc. in the United States.
Separate they may be, but Christie’s are clear that they intend to make the most of opportunities for cross fertilisation, describing the acquisition as “a major initiative to enter the primary art market and develop... private post-War and Contemporary art sales business worldwide”.
Haunch of Venison, who have just completed the Armory Show in New York and the ARCO fair in Madrid, are a major presence at Frieze in London. They have also taken stands regularly at fairs in Berlin and Bologna.
With a long list of artists on their books, such as Dan Flavin and Rachel Whiteread, they have also handled works by other major names such as Damien Hirst, Gilbert and George, Andreas Gursky and Donald Judd.
The deal is only the latest move in a concerted campaign by Sotheby’s and Christie’s to move into the lucrative retail market. Sotheby’s hit the headlines last year when they acquired the business of Old Master picture dealer the late Robert Noortman.
By Ivan Macquisten
Christie’s acquire Haunch of Venison
CHRISTIE’S International have raised the stakes in the frantically competitive post-War and Contemporary art markets by acquiring leading dealership Haunch of Venison.
