In 1875, the Hanstein family took over the management of the Lempertz auction house, which had been founded 30 years before, and still holds the reins there firmly in their hands, making Lempertz the oldest family-owned auction house in the world. We spoke to Isabel Apiarius-Hanstein, Co-CEO and Contemporary Art expert, who stands as the next leading generation of this historic and successful house.
Barnebys: Isabel, you come from a family of art market leaders and you were recently appointed co-CEO of Lempertz alongside your father. How do you approach this role and working with your family?
Isabel Apiarius-Hanstein: I have been a shareholder of Lempertz for many years before I took up an operative role in the Contemporary Art department. This gave me the opportunity to get to know the family business from two different perspectives - both from the inside and from the outside. Besides that, the business has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Working with my father gives me confidence as I can absorb his endless experience and use it to make both the important and the everyday decisions. All in all, I really enjoy the way we run the company as co-CEOs.
Which developments that you were able to introduce at Lempertz are you looking forward to the most?
When it comes to our newest publication À Jour, I am very proud and excited. This digital and printed newsletter informs our clients about the upcoming highlights for next season’s auctions. It arouses curiosity and appeals to younger clients.
Lempertz is the world’s oldest auction house still in family ownership. As the industry continues to consolidate, do you think this will ever change, or do you see it as one of your greatest assets?
I'm here to stay!
Before you came to Lempertz, you worked as a dealer and collector on the primary market. Tell us about what kind of art you’re most drawn to?
I really enjoyed working in the primary market, especially interacting with the artists. Supporting young artists is very important. That's probably why I'm so interested in young, Contemporary Art.
You come from a family of experts in the auction market. Does that also have an impact on your own collecting practice?
Yes, for sure. It makes me even more attentive to the career of an artist. Growing up, I was able to experience so much art and get to know so many artists. I really consider that a privilege.
The secondary market is ever-changing and extremely competitive. What outstanding trends have you seen in recent years?
Contemporary Art has been in fashion for many years now. At the same time, there is also a kind of urge to ‘invest’ in art that is becoming even stronger, partially due to various global reasons such as the pandemic, the ongoing war and the general economic situation. Art has always been an asset that can endure over time.
You recently visited the 59th Venice Biennale. Which pavilion and artist would you recommend this year?
For me, there are two absolute highlights at the Venice Biennale this year: Sandra Vasquez de la Horra in the Arsenale and Francis Alys in the Belgian Pavilion.
Last year, Germany was one of the fastest-growing markets for Barnebys, with a 60% increase in monthly visitor numbers. Have German buyers always been interested in auctions or is this a recent shift in behaviour?
The German market has traditionally been quite strong. With the digitisation of the auction houses, there wasn’t that much decline in sales turnover during the pandemic. In fact, the opposite is true: as the market is stronger than ever.
In our 2021 Trend Report, we saw a particularly strong interest from millennial buyers. Do you also see these trends at Lempertz?
Yes, I can only confirm that.
Based on your knowledge and experience of the auction market, what advice would you give someone looking to buy at auction for the first time?
Go out and talk to the experts. Let them explain what makes an object particularly interesting. Only buy what you truly like and please: just enjoy it.
We thank Mrs Isabel Apiarius-Hanstein for the interview and wish her and the auction house Lempertz continued success!
