Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn’s Exit from Lévy Gorvy Dayan & Resurgence of Salon 94

Art industry veteran Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn departs the high-profile New York consortium Lévy Gorvy Dayan to relaunch her personal gallery Salon 94.

A Buzz-Filled Summer Leads to Decisive Moves

As the sun begins to set on this vibrant New York summer, the art world’s movers and shakers are finally getting some answers. Rumors surrounding the future of Lévy Gorvy Dayan (formerly known as LGDR) have been swirling like a Picasso spiral, making Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn’s departure and the resurrection of her personal gallery, Salon 94, one of the most talked-about subjects in art circles.

An Alliance of Distinct Tastes and Visions

Founded in 2021, Lévy Gorvy Dayan aimed to be far more than a traditional art gallery. The original founding quartet—Greenberg Rohatyn, Dominique Lévy, Brett Gorvy, and Amalia Dayan—each brought their unique expertise to the table. Rohatyn had a flair for contemporary art, Gorvy was savvy about the booming Asian market, Lévy had European connections, and Dayan had Middle Eastern expertise.

Each founder had an enviable resume. While Gorvy once commanded the postwar and contemporary art landscape at Christie’s, and Lévy had a seasoned stint at Sotheby’s, Dayan had been partners in the stylish galleries of Luxembourg & Co. But Rohatyn carved a distinct niche for herself, starting Salon 94 from her family’s Upper East Side townhouse. She reveled in being hands-on, guiding artists and collectors alike.

Dissolving to Evolve: The Shake-up Explained

Though seasoned art observers had questioned the longevity of the consortium due to the differences in vision, Dominique Lévy has assured that the camaraderie among the founders remains robust. Greenberg Rohatyn echoed these sentiments, stating that the public often overplayed their differences while downplaying their shared vision for transforming the art community.

According to Lévy, the four founders were aligned in enthusiasm but diverged in taste and commitments. For example, while Rohatyn had a strong focus on design, that wasn’t a key component of LGDR’s collective vision. Greenberg Rohatyn, for her part, has been candid about her “more personal” approach to art, one that she felt was constrained in the collective endeavor.

From Past to Future: The Art World Readjusts

Rohatyn’s departure comes at a time when gallery sales are recovering. Back in 2021, when LGDR was founded, gallery sector sales had dipped by 20%, according to the New York Times. Now, they’re up 7% year-on-year, signaling a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity.

Despite her exit, Rohatyn is expected to collaborate with her former colleagues in several upcoming projects. One immediate sign of this ongoing partnership will be evident at Lévy Gorvy Dayan’s upcoming art fair booth in Paris, which will feature works from artists aligned with Rohatyn’s aesthetic.

Salon 94’s Revival: A Return to Personal Passions

In October, Salon 94 will fling its doors wide open once more, beginning with a solo exhibition featuring the sculptor Karon Davis. Rohatyn explains that running her own gallery offers the kind of agility and impulsivity she craves. “I love to just react to something and put it out there,” she says.

In a world where the next big thing is often just one art fair or auction away, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn’s return to her roots with Salon 94 is akin to a master painter stepping back to focus on her most beloved canvas. And as far as the art world is concerned, it’s all eyes on what masterpiece emerges next.