After almost 200 years Agnew’s Gallery closes its doors. Having been one of the leading galleries in the art world for such a long time, Agnew’s Gallery announced their sad news of the closure earlier this year.
For Chairman Julian Agnew it must have been very hard to make an end to this impressive and long history. Six generations and a wide range of worldfamous paintings that were sold by the gallery made Agnew’s much respected among art lovers and art dealers. Operating from Bond street since 1877 untill 2008, in a premises built for the gallery, Agnew’s was involved in many artsales concerning paintings by Rembrandt, Van Dyk, Reynolds and also Velazquez’ ‘Rokeby’ Venus.
Agnew’s experienced growing difficulties standing up against the power of the large auction houses. A lot of interested buyers nowadays are informed and advised by these auction houses instead of smaller galleries. Keeping up became more and more difficult. Unfortunately for Agnew’s a take-over by an interested buyer did not continue. However there was no urgent need to close the gallery. Agnew recently illustrated that the formula from the 19th century did not fit anymore with present the situation. For the chairman it felt as the right moment to make this decision.
Julian Agnew made clear that the firm will stop trading form April 30th, but that he himself will keep advising clients privately. “I actually want to spend less time with my family, the company, and more with my own family,” as he stated in an interview.
