Thaddaeus Ropac is a well-known figure in the art world. He mainly specializes in Contemporary artworks. Moreover, the dealer has created exhibitions all around the globe and shown paintings from famous artists. He works alongside more than sixty artists from Austria, Germany, America, France, South Korea, etc.
The art lover is one of the most respected art dealers in the world. He was honored with Knight Of The Legion by France in 2013. Furthermore, the media personality was listed in Art Review's Europe's foremost blue-chip gallerists. As he is such a famous person, many people are curious about his private affairs.
So, here we will present some important events of Thaddaeus Ropac's life.
Jeffrey Loria Biography - Art Dealer And Former Montreal Expos Owner
Early Life And Family
The art enthusiast was born Thaddaeus Josef Ropac, on January 16, 1960, in Klagenfurt, Austria. His parents mainly raised him in Carinthia. Furthermore, the art dealer comes from a Carinthian Slovenes family. Likewise, there isn't much information about his siblings as well.
The Austrian dealer was passionate about art from a young age. He discovered his passion on his school trip to the Kunsthistoriches Museum in 1978. Afterward, Ropac decided to pursue an art career in the future. He attended many art workshops and began learning about art in detail. Additionally, the trader joined late Karl Prantl in several classes.
Thaddaeus Ropac's love for art stems from his childhood. Photo Source: Social Media.
Initially, the gallerist tried to be an artist and interned in the Beuys Orbit in Dusseldorf in 1981. However, he failed to be a good painter despite understanding the core essentials. Still, Thaddaeus was highly fascinated by Joseph Beuys' works and his way of approaching art. Moreover, in the early 80s, many people were not familiar with Contemporary art, which urged him to open his own gallery.
Thaddaeus Ropac Net Worth And Career
The Austrian gallerist has worked alongside famous artists over the years. His experience and knowledge of art have made him one of the best choices among the other gallerists in the market. As such, Thaddaeus Ropac's net worth mainly comprises his earnings from his art dealings. It includes his income from painting sales, commissions, exhibitions, etc.
Thaddaeus Ropac has become financially successful from his art career. Photo Source: Social Media.
Ropac doesn't sell his collections to any random person or the highest bidder. His standards have made his artworks even more valuable to the buyers. Moreover, the art trader's 2018 London exhibition displayed many Beuys drawings and early bronze sculptures. Their prices ranged from $117,878 to $346,746.25 (£85,000- £250,000) for drawings and $416,095.50 to $1,248,286.50 (£300,000- £900,000) for small bronze figures. Additionally, the medium-sized sculptures were priced $1,387,045 to $5,548,656 (£1 million- £4 million) and larger cost $6,935,825 to $13,871,650 (£5million- £10 million).
Earnings From Art Career
Aforementioned, Thaddaeus Ropac decided to launch his own gallery during his internship with Joseph Beuys. As a result, he opened Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in 1981. As a newcomer, Ropac had no connection in the art industry. However, during that period, Beuys introduced him to Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The latter were emerging contemporary artists at that time.
Initially, the Austrian gallerist had a difficult time selling any of the paintings in the market. Ropac even had to return Basquiat's artworks after failing to sell them at $300 per piece. However, the contrast between the present and the past is astonishing because Basquiat's works are worth millions today. Despite facing failure, the art dealer constantly received support from Warhol, Beuys, and Basquiat.
Eventually, contemporary art began attracting the audience, and Thaddaeus' business flourished. He also came in contact with Keith Haring and Robert Mapplethorpe and began representing their works. Furthermore, the gallerist expanded his business and opened a second gallery in Salzburg in 1983. Later, he extended his market internationally and launched his third art studio in 1990 in Paris.
The businessman values his artists and tries to provide the best services. In 2012, he opened a fourth art gallery in Paris to provide better accommodation, which houses exhibition halls, a performance center, a library, a viewing room, and artists' studios. Moreover, the art lover established an art studio in London in 2017. His first Asian gallery will open in October 2021 in Seoul, South Korea.
At present, Thaddaeus Ropac works for more than sixty veteran and emerging artists. Erwin Wurm, Georg Baselitz, Lee Bul, Alex Katz, Raqib Shaw, Liza Lou, Anslem Kiefer, Tom Sachs, etc., are represented in Ropac's galleries. Additionally, he participates in many contemporary art fairs, Friezes, Basels, and exhibitions worldwide. He has also collaborated with other art institutions and museums to organize displays over the years.
Thus, Thaddaeus Ropac's net worth must have increased alongside his prospering career.
Thaddaeus Ropac Relationships And Dating
The media personality has been tight-lipped about his relationships with the public. He values his privacy and rarely speaks about his family. Moreover, although Thaddaeus often appears in the media, he hasn't been spotted alongside his partner. There is also no indication of him being romantically involved in his social media handles, so Thaddaeus Ropac likely doesn't have a wife. He hasn't mentioned his children either in his interviews.
Thaddaeus Ropac hasn't shared details about his life partner. Photo Source: Social Media.
The Austrian dealer seems to be content with his life as an art trader at present. He is often traveling to Paris, London, and other countries to run his business. Moreover, the gallerist is still passionate about art and working actively to represent his artists. He is happy about the world's perception regarding Contemporary art and hopeful of its continuation in the future.
Trivia And Facts
- Thaddaeus Ropac donated seventeen artworks to the Osterreichische Galerie in 2008.
- He provided twenty-five works to the Museum der Moderne in 2009.
