Klaus Kertess (July 16, 1940, New York City, New York – October 8, 2016, New York City, New York) was an American art gallerist, art critic and curator (including of the 1995 Whitney Biennial).[1] He grew up in Westchester County north of New York City, the second of three children.[2][3] After graduating from Phillips Academy, he studied art history at Yale University and in 1966 founded the Bykert Gallery with his college roommate Jeff Byers. The gallery name was formed from a compound of both of theirs.[4] At Bykert he showed a roster of artists which included; Brice Marden, David Novros, Barry Le Va, Alan Saret, Chuck Close, Bill Bollinger, Dorothea Rockburne, and many others.[5]

Later as an independent curator he oversaw the 1995 edition of the Whitney Biennial.[6] Then in 1998 he curated the exhibition DeKooning: Drawing/Seeing at the Drawing Center also in New York City.[7]

Kertess suffered from Alzheimer's and died on October 8, 2016, after collapsing at his apartment. He was 76. He is survived by his longtime partner, the painter Billy Sullivan.[4]

References

  1. ^ Andrew Russeth (2011-12-28). "Profiling Klaus Kertess and the 1995 Whitney Biennial". Observer. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  2. ^ "Klaus Kertess, Foresighted Art Dealer and Curator, Dies at 76". ARTnews. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  3. ^ "Klaus Kertess Dies at 76; Curator and Gallerist Gave Major Artists a Start". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  4. ^ a b Rogers, Pat (2016-10-11). "Curator and Art Dealer Klaus Kertess Dies at 76 | Hamptons Art HubHamptons Art Hub". Hamptonsarthub.com. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  5. ^ "Klaus Kertess, Art Dealer Who Launched Major Careers, Dead At 76". Artsjournal.com. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  6. ^ Goldberger, Paul (1995-02-26). "The Art of His Choosing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  7. ^ "New York, NY". The Drawing Center. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
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