Robert and Gudrun Ketterer in front of Albert Oehlens Triptychon, auction result Euro 3.600.000 ©Ketterer

Art, Personalities, 6 February 2023 An exclusive interview with Robert Ketterer, owner of Ketterer Auktionshaus, an international art auction house headquartered in Munich. Ketterer is one of the top-selling art auctioneers in Germany. In the interview, Robert Ketterer talks about the transformation and rapid growth of his industry, especially due to digitalisation. Incidentally, Ketterer Kunst has been conducting online auctions since 2007. Surprisingly, Robert Ketterer sees another advantage for German auction houses in Brexit.

If you have always wanted to know why you should invest in art and what makes a good art portfolio, read this article.

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"For the German art market, there is also the special effect of Brexit."

Alethea Magazine: You talk about a fundamental change in the international art market, which is also taking place in your auction house?

Robert Ketterer: Yes, that's true. Digitalisation was the initial spark. The booster was the pandemic. Buying and selling is now even easier worldwide. New York, Hong Kong, London or Munich - the location doesn't really matter anymore.

For the German art market, there is also the special effect of Brexit. Collectors are now looking for a partner on the continent, even in the highest price segment. Our location in the EU is now a competitive advantage that we can fully exploit thanks to digitalisation, focus, quality standards and personal service. 

AM: What role does digitalisation play and to what extent is your auction house digitalised?

RK: We are digitised from consignment to delivery. However, the interpersonal aspect plays an important role. Individual advice before, personal support during and delivery after the auction are still our top priority.

Through digitalisation, we have not only massively increased the number of our bidders, we have also gained many new and significantly younger customers from all over the world. 

Of course, our entire auction offer can be found online, researched in detail and presented clearly, but the personal experience is not to be underestimated. Twice a year, for example, we hold our large room auctions, for which we continue to advertise with elaborate print catalogues, currently also with an English-language version for the Evening Sale. Our customers particularly appreciate this. After all, the feel, as well as the live experience on site in the auction room vibrating with excitement, is at least as important.

The transmission into virtual space is already achieved by streaming our auctions, which today is no longer just a transmission of image and sound, but is increasingly becoming a rain-guided screen event. In my opinion, however, we are only at the beginning of a development with enormous potential.

"Art offers a very broad return, because art inspires."

AM: Why should one invest in art as an investment?

RK: Art offers a very broad return, because art inspires. It stimulates the senses, provokes and brings people into conversation. It is a sign of our cultural development and is simply good for the soul.

Of course, art is also a status symbol. Works of quality have additional potential as financial investments. We have experienced it in every economic crisis: a run on big names and great quality. The negative interest rates of the ECB have boosted the art market, inflation is doing the rest and the strong US dollar is pushing demand from America. Art should therefore be an option for every investor, but you have to be interested and train your eye. Or at least know who knows and can advise you well.

AM: What does an optimal art portfolio consist of, established artists or new artists? Can you also name names?

RK: It's the mix that makes the difference. Established names tend to offer investment security. New faces tend to offer potential. But most importantly, buy what you like, what attracts you. Study the artists, their lives and their art, then you will also get an eye for potential.

AM: What is the profile of an investor who is a client of yours?

RK: A certain type cannot really be defined. It's so multi-layered: there's the master craftsman who loves certain expressionists, there's the entrepreneur who collects post-war German art, there's the investment banker who suddenly discovers his interest in 19th century art alongside his passion for American Pop Art. Every buyer is unique. And that is exactly what makes my profession so interesting: the people and their diversity.

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The interview was conducted by C. Mauer

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