Leading Berlin Gallerist Michael Schultz Arrested for Wrongdoing

Image:  Frank Wegner - Michael Schultz Gallery / Galerie Michael Schultz, Berlin, Beijing, Seoul

Berlin gallery owner Michael Shultz has been arrested. Police arrived at his apartment in Charlottenburg on Thursday October 17th and arrested him on suspicion of having sold works of art with counterfeit certificates. It is understood that he has now been released due to ill health, but that his galleries remain closed and the charges continue to be investigated. 

The mis-sold items are estimated to have been worth millions of dollars. Investigators also allege that other works of art were paid for by collectors and never delivered.

Frank Wegner - Michael Schultz Gallery / Galerie Michael Schultz, Berlin, Beijing, Seoul

Authorities have carried out searches of business premises in Berlin and Brandenburg where they have seized evidence. A full investigation is now underway.

It is alleged that Mr Shultz’ fraud was first exposed when a collector attempted to resell a picture that he had obtained via Michael Shultz. Attempting to identify the origins of the painting, the auctioneer contacted the artist, who claimed that he had never seen the painting before.

Shultz has long been regarded as an enfant terriblein the art world. As well as his two galleries in Berlin, he also owns galleries in Beijing and Seoul. He represents several figurative artists from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, China and Korea. He was also editor in chief of the Berliner Kunstmagazinwhich has now ceased publication. He founded Galerie Michael Shultz in 1986.