Ulrike Christina Goetz, a specialist in sculpture and objets d'art who spent nearly 30 years at Sotheby's Paris, discusses her unexpected departure in October 2024 amid a wave of layoffs at the auction house. She founded her own advisory firm, Ulrike Christina Goetz Art Advisory, and now operates from an office on Rue de la Paix in Paris, preparing to launch her website. Goetz reflects on the profound changes at Sotheby's since its 2019 acquisition by Patrick Drahi, including the dismissal of many historical specialists and a shift toward younger, less expensive consultants.
Goetz's transition from a major auction house to independent expertise highlights broader transformations in the art market, where institutional knowledge is being replaced by external consultants and cost-cutting measures. Her story matters because it illustrates the challenges and opportunities for seasoned specialists navigating a shifting landscape, and underscores the enduring value of deep expertise and personal networks in the art world. Goetz's move also signals a growing trend of experienced professionals leaving large houses to offer tailored advisory services to collectors.