In December 2022, Guido Van der Vorst had a meeting with a new client in Frankfurt, Germany, to explore a series of graphic works by the celebrated Irish-British artist Francis Bacon. This discussion led to Van der Vorst acquiring two remarkable pieces by Bacon. Their shared enthusiasm for art also prompted the collector to consign a work by Alex Katz to the gallery, which sold quickly.

This interaction highlights the fundamental principles of Van der Vorst-Art, a family-run gallery founded in 2009 in Zeist, Netherlands. The gallery focuses on 20th-century art, particularly early Parisian movements and their successors, featuring artists like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Raoul Dufy, and Henri Matisse. Built on trust and openness, Van der Vorst has cultivated relationships with collectors both locally and globally, navigating challenges such as geographical distance and the growing trend of online art discovery.

“The trust we establish minimizes the challenges posed by a client’s location,” Van der Vorst remarked. “Thanks to the rise of video calls post-pandemic, we can connect more easily, fostering relationships and sharing vital information in a relaxed atmosphere that crosses borders.”

During their meeting, the collector presented a photo of Stalagtites (1975), a gouache by American artist Alexander Calder. The piece was particularly enticing due to its vibrant Calder color palette and the fact that the collector had owned it since 1992. However, it had not been assessed by the Calder Foundation.

Encouraged by their mutual admiration for the artwork and the gallery's proposal, the collector agreed to consign Stalagtites to Van der Vorst. In May 2024, the gallerist took the piece to the Calder Foundation in New York City. While a straightforward authentication would have sufficed, the foundation provided a detailed historical provenance of the work prior to its 1992 acquisition. Now, after more than three decades in private ownership, Stalagtites is available again through Van der Vorst-Art. “This achievement is only possible because of the trust placed in us—something we will never take for granted and always deeply appreciate."

Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com