Spotlight: Veteran Dealer Ray Waterhouse Establishes New Gallery, Modern Fine Art

The gallery will be exhibiting for the first time at Art Miami 2023.

Jean-François, Rauzier, Louvre (2023). Courtesy of Modern Fine Art, New York.

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About the Gallery: With their collaboration as art dealers beginning in 1982, Ray Waterhouse and Jonathan Dodd established their eponymous gallery Waterhouse and Dodd in 1987 in London. In 2010, the gallery established a space on New York’s Upper East Side, and in 2020 the London space relocated to the city’s famed Savile Row. Specializing in Modern, Postwar, and contemporary art, Waterhouse and Dodd has garnered a following both for the gallery exhibitions—both on site and at numerous international art fairs—as well as for its art advisory service, Fine Art Brokers.

In 2011, Waterhouse relocated to the U.S. to oversee and develop the New York location, and it was recently announced that he will be now taking over the Upper East Side location to establish a new gallery, Modern Fine Art, while continuing to helm Fine Art Brokers.

What You Need to Know: Modern Fine Art is dedicated to showcasing a diverse breadth of important fine art, including French Post-Impressionist, 20th-century European masters, Abstract Expressionism, as well as the work of international contemporary artists. Waterhouse’s decades of experience as both a gallerist and dealer allow him exceptional insight into the nuances of both the historical and contemporary art market, and expertise in sourcing and advising collectors—both new and seasoned.

Within this expertise, Waterhouse has developed a keen eye for identifying under-valued artwork and underappreciated living artists, like French photographer Jean-François Rauzier. Since beginning his representation of the artist in 2009, Waterhouse has acquired more than $4.5 million worth of work from the artist’s “Hyperphotos” series.

Why We Like It: The unveiling of Modern Fine Art promises to continue and expand the vision of Ray Waterhouse, and offer continued excellence in the field of art collecting. Followers of both Waterhouse and Dodd gallery, as well as those close to Waterhouse himself, will have the opportunity to see what’s in store with Waterhouse helming this new endeavor. To date, Modern Fine Art has already presented two gallery exhibitions, “Edward Povey: Human” and “Jon Schueller and Martyn Brewster: Clouds and Horizons,” the latter of which is on view through December 15, 2023. Bringing more excitement to the new venture, and introducing Modern Fine Art to a broader, international audience, the gallery will be exhibiting publicly for the first time at the upcoming edition of Art Miami 2023. Showcasing works by Pop icons such as Tom Wesselmann, Modern masters like Joan Miró, and contemporary creators like Natalie Ocerin Gomis, the exhibit will highlight the breadth and scope of Modern Fine Art’s expertise.

See featured works from the Art Miami exhibition.

Edward Povey, Décousu (2022). Courtesy of Modern Fine Art, New York.

Natalie Ocerin Gomis, Miami Pool Party (2023). Courtesy of Modern Fine Art, New York.

Tom Wesselmann, Monica with Necklace, Hands Folded (1985–89). Courtesy of Modern Fine Art, New York.

Joan Miró, La Servante (1969). Courtesy of Modern Fine Art, New York.

Caroline Walker, A Scattering (2011). Courtesy of Modern Fine Art, New York.

Learn more about Waterhouse and Dodd here.