About Us
Consultants
Jan Morsink Ikonen Consultants was established to meet the challenges of the changing art market. Independent advice on the many and varied aspects of icons has become increasingly important. Simon and Hugo Morsink offer consulting services to private collectors, museums, institutions, auction houses and banks worldwide. Our profound knowledge and years of experience enable us to guide clients through the process of organising museum exhibitions, preparing publications, buying or selling a collection, establishing authenticity and valuing both Russian and Greek icons.
At Jan Morsink Ikonen Consultants we aim to share our knowledge about all aspects of Russian and Greek icons with private collectors, companies and institutions. Our long history of dealing in icons, since 1977, has allowed us to compile an extensive archive of information and build up a body of experience which we can deploy when examining issues such as authentication, provenance and condition.
We have collaborated on icon exhibitions and publications with museums such as the Recklinghausen Ikonen Museum in Germany, the Icon Museum in Clinton, Massachusetts, the Bible Museum in Amsterdam and the Catharijneconvent in Utrecht. We are convinced of the importance of maintaining good relations with museums and other icon experts worldwide, for such contacts allow us to top up our knowledge and hone our expertise. We consider good relations with fellow icon dealers and auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christies's to be of equal importance, as these enable us to stay in touch with the actual market value of all types of icons and identify the best opportunities for buying and selling an individual icon or a large collection of works.
To discuss how we may assist you, please contact us by email at ikonen@morsink.com or phone (+ 31 (0)20 6200411).
Art Dealers
Jan Morsink Ikonen Art Dealers is one of the leading international specialists in Russian and Greek icons dating from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century. The company, established in 1977 and located in Amsterdam, has an excellent reputation for dealing in high quality icons. Its directors Simon and Hugo Morsink exhibit annually at the famous international art fair TEFAF Maastricht, and frequently hold exhibitions at their gallery. They are committed to building a solid relationship with their clients.
Visitors to our gallery, in a characteristic seventeenth-century canal house at 454 Keizersgracht, will be able to view a great variety of icons from famous centres in Russia (such as Moscow, Pskov, Novgorod and Palekh) and Greece. Whether you are thinking of purchasing your first icon, actively engaged in enriching your collection or perhaps just interested in information on icons, you are welcome to visit our gallery for clear and expert advice.
To visit the gallery please make an appointment by emailing us at ikonen@morsink.com or phoning +31 (0)20 6200411.
History
Jan Morsink Ikonen was founded in 1977 by Jan Morsink (1933-1994), whose fascination with the ancient art of icon painting inspired his decision to specialise in the field. His eldest son Simon (1967) shared his father's passion for art and studied art history at the universities of Leiden (the Netherlands) and Louvain (Belgium). In 1991 Simon obtained his master's degree with a dissertation on Sergius of Radonezh, founder of the Trinity Monastery near Moscow. After Jan Morsink passed away in 1994, Hugo (1970), Simon's younger brother, who had hitherto worked in real estate, joined him at the gallery.
During the past 15 years the Morsink brothers have formed a highly successful partnership. Their expertise and collection of rare icons have allowed them to build up a circle of clients who appreciate their ethos of quality over quantity. They have been regular exhibitors at art fairs in London, Basle, Amsterdam and Maastricht. Their list of publications includes several catalogues, an 'Ikonen Lexicon', and a lavishly illustrated book The Power of Icons, which presents some 50 important Greek and Russian icons from the company's collection, accompanied by a number of valuable contributions by internationally renowned experts.
Both directors of the company, Simon and Hugo Morsink, have always attached the utmost importance to combining their expertise with total integrity.