Origins and history of Gallery van Diemen
Established in 1918, Gallery van Diemen was a commercial art gallery based in Berlin, Germany. The institution operated from a location at Unter den Linden 41. As the gallery expanded, it established several international branches, maintaining a presence in The Hague, Amsterdam, and New York.
The gallery functioned as part of the Margraf Group. This umbrella organization included several other entities, such as Dr. Benedict & Co., Altkunst Antiquitäten, and Dr. Otto Burchard & Co. The operations of the various branches were managed by directors Eduard Plietzsch and Kurt Benedict during the early decades of the twentieth century.
The history of the institution changed significantly in 1935. During this year, the Nazi authorities ordered the liquidation of the Berlin branches. In the same period, the New York branch merged with the Lilienfeld Gallery.
Specialized collections and art departments
The gallery's foundational focus rested upon Dutch painting. This specialization established the institution's early reputation within the Berlin art market. While the Old Masters formed the core of the permanent holdings, the gallery's scope expanded significantly during the early twentieth century through the introduction of modern movements.
A dedicated Modern Department was established to present contemporary works. Under the direction of Friedrich A. Lutz, this department remained active in exhibiting new art until 1926. This period saw the gallery move beyond traditional genres to engage with the radical shifts occurring in European aesthetics. The most significant development in this direction occurred in 1922, when the gallery organized the first major exhibition of Russian avant-garde art in Europe since 1917. This exhibition included three rooms of Russian avant-garde art organized by Naum Gabo.
- Still life with crab on a draped table, 1645 - Gerret Willemsz. Heda
- Still life of flowers in a glass vase, 1650 - Anna Maria Janssens
- Still life of pie, cheese, bread and olives on a laid table, 1650 - Floris Van Schooten
Exhibitions and research
The gallery's historical significance is marked by its contribution to the presentation of modern art in Europe. In 1922, the institution organized the first major exhibition of Russian avant-garde art in Europe since 1917. This exhibition was held in the gallery's space located near the Russian embassy on Unter den Linden. The program provided a comprehensive overview of Russian art from 1905 onwards, introducing many viewers to the developments of the era.
The 1922 exhibition was structured to highlight specific movements within the Russian avant-garde. Three dedicated rooms were organized to present these works, with Naum Gabo overseeing the arrangement of the avant-garde sections. These displays included works by various Jewish artists, contributing to the diverse character of the exhibition. The gallery's focus on these movements helped establish its reputation for handling significant modern collections alongside its traditional specialization in Dutch painting.
Nazi persecution and restitution claims
The history of the gallery was fundamentally altered by the rise of the Nazi regime. In 1933, the Oppenheimer family lost control of the Margraf Group, which included the Gallery van Diemen, due to Nazi persecution. The German branch of the gallery underwent Aryanization, a process that stripped the Jewish owners of their holdings. Many of these owners were subsequently forced into exile or murdered.
The liquidation of the Berlin branches, including the gallery and its subsidiaries, was ordered by the Nazis in 1935. Sales of the collections were organized by Graupe in January and April of that year. These forced sales resulted in the dispersal of significant holdings. In the decades following the war, numerous claims for restitution have been filed in connection with the persecution of the gallery and its owners.
