Grisebach

Expertise, competence, and trust

In 1986, a fresh concept and innovative style of the newly founded Grisebach auction house – as well as its focus on a limited art-historical range that it could confidently master – proved to be an immediate hit with collectors. Thus, the very first preview showing in November 1986 attracted over 2,500 fine-art aficionados. The subsequent auction generated over 4 million Deutschmarks, putting Grisebach in the black already in its very first year of operation. Of crucial importance in this context was the formation of a trust-based network linking the specialists at Grisebach with the various consignors, experts, and collectors. Before long, the name “Grisebach” had become a byword for spectacular hammer prices and fascinating new discoveries. 

In 1988, for example, Lyonel Feininger’s 1928 work “Paddleboat Steamer II” (Raddampfer II) set a world record at a gross hammer price of 2.4 million Deutschmarks. In 1989, Franz Marc’s gouache painting “Mythical Beast” (Fabeltier), which had been appraised at 450,000 Deutschmarks, ended up fetching a gross hammer price of 3.0 million Deutschmarks. Adolph von Menzel’s “The Sheep Moat” (Der Schafgraben), a Berlin-themed painting from 1846, went on to command 1.3 million Euros in 2003, a world record for works by this German master. Max Beckmann's female portrait "Anni" was sold in 2005 for 3.9 million Euros and was the most expensive artwork sold at an auction in Germany up to that point. In autumn 2014 a world record for a work by Menzel was once again set. His "Stehende Rüstungen" achieved 3.3 million Euros in the 19th Century Art auction. In spring 2018, Max Beckmann’s mysterious portrait of a woman, “Ägypterin” (the Egyptian), became the most expensive artwork ever to be sold at a German auction to date (5.5 million Euros).

In October 2018, Bernd Schultz's spectacular collection came under the hammer in the "A Farewell and a New Beginning" auctions to benefit an Exil Museum in Berlin. A total of 6.5 million Euros was achieved.

23.2 million euros! When the hammer came down on Max Beckmann’sSelbstbildnis gelb-rosa from 1943, a global record had been set at Grisebach’s evening auction on 1 December 2022. Vying against competitors from five countries, a bidder from Switzerland ultimately won the day. This is the highest amount ever paid for a work of art sold at auction in Germany, and the second-highest attained worldwide for a self-portrait by the artist.

The current partners and managing directors Daniel von Schacky, Diandra Donecker, Micaela Kapitzky, and Dr. Markus Krause steer the company at the top of the German art market. All four are passionate art historians, specializing in photography, impressionist and modern art, as well as post-war and contemporary art. With their know-how and their tireless enthusiasm for identifying and appraising exceptional works of art, they enjoy the challenges of the art market on a day-to-day basis.