Continuing to pursue a strategy of international expansion, one of Germany’s leading auction houses, Ketterer Kunst, has announced the appointment of a new specialist for the Benelux region, France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Announcing German-Italian art expert Barbara Guarnieri as regional representative, the auction house opens up several lucrative Western European markets for consignments. “I am very happy that we are able to offer even more clients in Europe an extensive and personal local service,” owner and CEO Robert Ketterer said in a statement.

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Ketterer’s Munich headquarters. Photo: Ketterer Kunst via Facebook.

Ketterer added that close proximity to his clients is a priority. “The new representation will serve as a competent local contact for consignors and buyers,” he explained. “We were able to win Barbara Guarnieri as an experienced and multilingual expert for this task. Not only does she know the market and our company very well, she also has an idea of our clients’ needs and wishes.”

Indeed, Guarnieri spent several years at Ketterer’s Hamburg offices in the early 2000’s and returns after having gained experience in Germany and Switzerland working for a large art insurance company.

While Ketterer has made efforts to gain a foothold in the Swiss market for several years, the company has decided to pursue the French and the Benelux countries amid a time of uncertainty in its domestic German market, which is currently undergoing drastic changes due to the recent ratification of the controversial cultural heritage protection legislation.

Ketterer Kunst CEO and owner, Robert Ketterer. Photo: Ketterer Kunst via Facebook.

The auctioneers, who specialize in Expressionism, emphasized that the focus of the new representation will be on Modern Art as well as 19th century and Contemporary Art.

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Ketterer also announced the establishment of an office in Los Angeles back in March to “offer our American buyers and sellers a more comprehensive and personalized service,” as Robert Ketterer said in a statement at the time.