History

Founded by J. M. Herrmann in 1825, when architecture and art were blossoming in Munich due to King Ludwig I., the gallery provided the German, Russian, and English nobility with lithographs and reproductions, but above all with oil and glass paintings as well as sketches by contemporary artists.

Adolf Schreyer“Autumn Forest”, 1861Oil on canvas, 75 x 62 cmsigned and dated

Adolf Schreyer
“Autumn Forest”, 1861
Oil on canvas, 75 x 62 cm
signed and dated

After the death of Hermann’s daughter, whose husband, Heinrich Wimmer, in 1841 renamed the gallery “Heinrich Wimmer’sche Hofkunsthandlung” (Henry Wimmer’s Royal Art Gallery) and whereof today’s name of the exhibition space is still reminiscent, the dedicated art connoisseur August Humplmayr overtook the administration of the gallery.

Being the first to build international business relations for the gallery to England, France and America, Humpelmayr temporarily even operated branches in London and New York. He presented contemporary Munich art to an international public there. Furthermore, the Wimmer Gallery provided the World Fair in Paris (1867) with selected pictures, some of which can be found in renowned museums and private collections today.

Humpelmayr’s wish to make those artists, who were highly appreciated by the Munich nobility, famous worldwide, was complemented by keen sense of young, still unknown talents, whom he sponsored and supported.

In 1869 the gallery moved to its present address on one of Munich’s most elegant boulevards, which did – and still does – justice to its importance.

“Kneeling lady with bath towel“, ca. 1950Fritz Klimsch (1870-1960)Bonze, height 52,5 cmmonogrammed FK

“Kneeling lady with bath towel“, ca. 1950
Fritz Klimsch (1870-1960)
Bronze, height 52,5 cm
monogrammed FK

In 1925 the Wimmer Gallery celebrated its 100th anniversary presenting countless masterpieces by renowned artists, some of which can still be seen in the gallery today: Franz von Defregger, Eduard von Grützner, Max Kurzbauer, Franz von Lenbach, Franz von Stuck, Friedrich Voltz, Ludwig Hartmann, Otto Gebler, Eduard Schleich d.Ä., Carl Spitzweg, Wilhelm von Diez, Albert von Keller and many more.

In 1986, today’s owner and director of the gallery, Christine Rettinger, took over the business from Edith Binding, daughter of Alfons Kolb who himself owned the gallery for a long time. Ever since, she has consistently extended the national as well as international reputation of this traditional house. Therefore, she has redesigned the interior of the gallery to present two bright and inviting exhibition floors to the art-loving public. Here, the exhibited pictures and bronzes can be enjoyed in a comfortable and calm atmosphere.

Christine Rettinger, herself a talented artist, has, due to 30 years of experience working as an art dealer, a vast expert knowledge and a keen sense of quality. Only the works that are of convincing quality stand a chance to be presented in her exhibition space.

Besides consciously keeping up the tradition, Christine Rettinger also supports contemporary painting and sculpture: In 2001 she was the first to invite the renowned Chinese artist Chen Yifei to Munich, who was up to that point almost unknown in Germany, and presented his artwork in a solo exhibition.

The like, the Argentinean artist Helmut Ditsch was shown in Germany for the first time due to Christine Rettinger’s commitment in 2006.

For further information on past and current exhibitions as well as on selected artists, please go to Exhibitions, Paintings and Sculptures.