Galerie Gmurzynska, a prestigious international gallery known for its exceptional collection of 20th-century modernist works, is preparing to relocate its New York operations to the iconic Fuller Building at 595 Madison Avenue. The move represents a significant shift for the gallery, which has operated from its previous location at 43 East 78th Street since 2018, with its final exhibition at that space closing at the end of May.
The gallery's upcoming relocation brings it into one of New York's most historically significant Art Deco-style buildings, which boasts an extraordinary connection to the city's art world heritage. The Fuller Building was constructed between 1928 and 1929 by the Fuller Construction Company, the same firm that had built the famous Flatiron Building nearly three decades earlier as its original headquarters. This architectural legacy adds another layer of historical importance to the gallery's new home.
The Fuller Building once served as the epicenter of New York's gallery scene, hosting some of the most influential art dealers and galleries of the 20th century. Notable former tenants included the Pierre Matisse Gallery, Charles Egan Gallery, André Emmerich, Marlborough-Gerson Gallery, Hammer Galleries, Tibor de Nagy, and Robert Miller, among many others. These galleries played crucial roles in shaping American taste in modern and contemporary art, making the Fuller Building a legendary address in the art world.
Galerie Gmurzynska, which was originally founded in Cologne, Germany, in 1965, has built an impressive reputation through its specialized program focusing on 20th-century modernism. The gallery has organized significant exhibitions featuring works by some of the most important artists of the modern era, including Pablo Picasso, Kurt Schwitters, Fernand Léger, Lyonel Feininger, and the husband-and-wife duo Robert and Sonia Delaunay. This focus on modernist masters has established the gallery as a leading authority in this field.
While Galerie Gmurzynska has not made an official public announcement regarding the move to the Fuller Building, the gallery has confirmed the relocation through information posted on its website. However, no specific opening date has been provided for the new space, and representatives from Galerie Gmurzynska did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Although the Fuller Building no longer maintains its former status as the concentrated hub of New York's gallery district, it continues to house important art spaces. Luxembourg & Co., which presents a diverse range of modern and contemporary art, currently operates within the building. Galerie Gmurzynska's decision to move to this historic location could potentially signal a renewed interest from other galleries in establishing operations there, possibly revitalizing the building's role in New York's art scene.
