Two prominent figures in the international art world, Michael Werner and Gordon VeneKlasen, have announced they will end their 35-year partnership and operate separate galleries beginning in early 2025. The dissolution of their collaboration at Michael Werner Gallery marks the end of one of the art world's most successful long-term partnerships, which has significantly shaped the contemporary and modern art market for more than three decades.

In a joint statement released to ARTnews, Werner and VeneKlasen confirmed their separation as partners in Michael Werner Gallery, effective February 2025. Despite ending their business partnership, the two dealers emphasized they will continue to work together on select artist projects and museum exhibitions featuring the historical artists that Michael Werner represents. This ongoing collaboration suggests that while their business structures will diverge, their professional relationship will maintain some continuity in specific areas of mutual interest.

The restructuring will see both dealers continuing their work through separate ventures with distinct geographical focuses. Michael Werner will continue to operate Galerie Michael Werner in Berlin, maintaining his strong presence in the German art market where he first established his reputation. Meanwhile, Gordon VeneKlasen will launch his own international gallery operation under the name VeneKlasen, taking control of the partnership's current locations in New York, London, and Los Angeles. VeneKlasen plans to announce his new gallery program early next year, though specific details about his artistic focus and roster have not yet been disclosed.

Michael Werner's career in the gallery business spans over six decades, beginning with the launch of Werner & Katz gallery in Berlin in 1963. He later established Galerie Michael Werner in Cologne in 1969, though that location was eventually closed in 2022. Gordon VeneKlasen joined the Michael Werner Gallery operation in 1990, the same year the gallery opened its New York location. His influence grew significantly over the years, and he became a full partner in the enterprise in 2005. VeneKlasen was instrumental in the gallery's international expansion, serving as the driving force behind the opening of the London location in 2012 and the Los Angeles space in 2024.

Michael Werner Gallery has built its reputation primarily through its exceptional program of German painters, representing some of the most significant names in contemporary German art. The gallery's roster includes renowned artists such as Georg Baselitz, Jörg Immendorff, Markus Lüpertz, A.R. Penck, and Sigmar Polke, who have helped define the international perception of German contemporary art. Beyond German artists, the gallery has also represented important 20th-century figures including Marcel Broodthaers and James Lee Byars, demonstrating its commitment to historically significant artists across different movements and periods.

The gallery's contemporary program has equally impressed, representing currently active artists including Issy Wood, Sanya Kantarovsky, Raphaela Simon, and Florian Krewer. These artists represent the gallery's commitment to supporting emerging and mid-career talents alongside their established historical figures. Notably, the gallery represented Peter Doig for 23 years before the acclaimed painter departed in 2023, marking the end of one of the gallery's most significant long-term artist relationships.

Neither Werner nor VeneKlasen has announced which specific artists will be represented in their respective new ventures following the split. This uncertainty leaves questions about how the gallery's impressive roster will be divided between the two operations, and whether artists will choose to follow one dealer or the other based on their individual relationships and career needs. The transition period leading up to February will likely see negotiations and decisions that will shape both galleries' future directions and market positions.