About
Wentrup was founded in 2004 by Jan Wentrup as a space that reacted to Berlin’s young, diverse, and international art scene. The gallery now has an artist roster comprised of over 20 artistic positions that redefine and expand definitions of painting and sculpture, photography, film, and video and find solutions across intellectually exciting and aesthetically appealing genres.
Browse Wentrup on Artsy
Locations
Berlin • Venice
Portrait of Tina and Jan Wentrup by Jacopo Salvi. Courtesy of Wentrup.
In Berlin, the tastemaking gallery Wentrup is a torchbearer for the city’s artist-first gallery scene. Founded by Tina and Jan Wentrup, the gallery has made a mark in the German capital by taking chances on early-career artists and occupying a series of unconventional spaces—from a horse stable to a post office—each chosen for its ability to complement and enhance the presentation of its dynamic artist roster.
This tradition of experimentation and risk-taking set the stage for the gallery’s latest venture, Wentrup Venezia, which opened in conjunction with the 60th Venice Biennale, introducing a third location to complement the gallery’s existing two branches in Berlin. This is the culmination of a two-decade-long journey for the couple that began in 2004, when Jan began to immerse himself in Berlin’s rich network of emerging talent. Then, in 2005, Tina transitioned from her established career in theater and performing arts to dedicate herself fully to the gallery’s vision and operations.
Installation view of “Capriccio” at Wentrup Venezia, 2024. Photo by Matthias Kolb. Courtesy of the artists and Wentrup, Berlin.
The guiding philosophy of Tina and Jan is a commitment to artists whose work transcends trends, underpinned by a willingness to embrace new perspectives and techniques. This approach has shaped their curatorial strategy, focusing on artists committed to their vision, which, in time, has yielded recognition and success. Early on, the gallerist invited artists such as Gregor Hildebrandt and Nevin Aladağ onto its roster—both of whom have grown into internationally renowned artists. Wentrup also leverages Artsy’s global platform to better help cut through these ephemeral trends, raising awareness for its artists.
“We do not appreciate the word ‘trend,’ as it is usually a short-term phenomenon,” Jan told Artsy. “Trends exist in fashion and change from season to season. We are interested in artists who have something to say that is of long-term relevance. Today, one trend follows another, and many trend artists disappear into insignificance once the trend has died down.
“In most cases, artists who have stood outside the trend for a long time but who have continued on their path undeterred are rewarded with success that may come later but is sustainable. Many artists whose work has long been overlooked are being rediscovered and rewarded for their perseverance.”
Installation view of “Capriccio” at Wentrup Venezia, 2024. Photo by Matthias Kolb. Courtesy of the artists and Wentrup, Berlin.
Even as the Berlin-based gallery expanded its collector network and presence at global art fairs, Wentrup retained a refined, small-scale roster featuring just 22 artists. The pair maintain a dedication to nurturing the careers of their artists by incorporating a mix of traditional and modern platforms. “Online platforms and social media channels are certainly also important platforms for initial contact with an international audience,” said Tina, emphasizing that Artsy has helped to assess opportunities for their artists and connect them with collectors.
“We have been working with Artsy for some years now and regularly monitor our artists’ views, update with the latest available works, and ensure our art fair booths and exhibitions are current,” she added, noting that the Send Offer feature allow the gallery’s wider known artists to gain visibility and “international collectors become aware of the available works and our gallery if they weren’t familiar with us before.”
Jan shared a memorable success story facilitated by Artsy, where a “well-known” South American collector, previously unfamiliar with the gallery, acquired a piece by Hildebrandt. The experience highlighted how Artsy’s platform could bridge the gap between the gallery and influential collectors, broadening Wentrup’s international footprint—even before its Venice expansion.
Exterior view of the sculpture garden of Wentrup Venezia with a work by Marion Verboom. Photo by Matthias Kolb. Courtesy of the artist and Wentrup, Berlin.
The presence of Wentrup’s artists on the global market has significantly risen in recent years. The gallerists reported that relatively newer artists on its program, such as Jenny Brosinski, have seen increased attention from collectors in the Asian market, mainly hailing from South Korea and China.
Additionally, the gallery’s adoption of Artsy’s Viewing Rooms, especially during art fairs, proved to be a successful strategy for online and continued engagement with interested parties. Jan recalled that during The Armory Show 2023, the Viewing Room helped the gallery secure several sales. This success inspired the gallerists to further incorporate the online tool in future fairs and gallery strategies. “We want to use Artsy even more to accompany our exhibitions in Berlin and Venice. Artsy provides an important tool to increase our reach and raise awareness,” Jan told Artsy.
As Wentrup Gallery embarks on its Venice adventure, its bold sense of innovation and steadfast commitment to its artists promise to enrich the global art community, bridging artist communities and connecting individuals through the gallery’s growing physical and digital channels.
