"Thirty years ago I decided to sell my businesses in England, which included two successful Art Galleries, and 'go abroad'.

 

After considering different locations in the world, I decided to set up in Monte Carlo, where I opened Monaco Fine Arts on the 20th of June 1976 – 37 years ago.

 

There are a number of people who have helped me to achieve the position I have been fortunate enough to reach – too many to refer to by name, but they know who they are and I thank them.

 

The past 37 years have seen a big change in Monaco Fine Arts and this has been partly due to the dynamic policy of growth in Monte Carlo, that has made it such an important worldwide business centre,  art and cultural centre and an overall tourist attraction.  

Some of the growth in international interest in this fantastic location was no other than Princess Grace. I am lucky enough not only to have had the chance to meet her and have her present at numerous gallery events, but also to have been sent many of her friends on her recomendation. One of these was Frank Sinatra, another memorable client of Monaco Fine Arts.

During this expansion, Monte Carlo has lost none of its glamour and excitement  and there is always something going on in the Principality.

 

In 1976 I launched Monaco Fine Arts with a fanfare of exciting publicity one month before the official opening of the gallery by sponsoring the March F1 Grand Prix racing team in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Ronnie Petersen and Hans Stuck were the drivers and Ronnie was leading Niki Lauda in a Ferrari when he spun at the Tabac Corner. The caption for this in Autosport Magazine was “Not Enough FINE ART Ronnie!”.

 

In 2006, Monaco Fine Arts  had a similar March Formula 1 car in the same works colours in the Historic Grand Prix, with the same Monaco Fine Arts captions. Unfortunately it crashed again, this time closer to the Gallery, around the Casino Square.

Again this publicity seemed appropriate because the first time I myself came to Monte Carlo was in 1961 as a racing driver in a supporting race during the Monaco Grand Prix.

 

As a gallery it was a slow start as I was the first and only on the premises in the arcade of the Sporting d’Hiver until Sotheby’s came six months later, and it took a few years to get established and for me to know the rather special type of Art that would sell in Monte-Carlo.



Whether painted in the 1800s, 1900s or 2013, I have always tried to keep to the guidelines of fine quality and undisputable authenticity when selecting art for the gallery. With these ingredients, I have found that paintings and sculpture have weathered a number of economic storms and have been one of the very few moveable items that one can buy, derive immense pleasure from and resell after some years at a profit.

 

Our varied range of paintings and sculptures cover a broad spectrum to cater for most tastes and finances and we always have some small Renoirs in stock.



I was in the Art business in England for 12 years before I came to Monte Carlo and the 37 years that have followed have been a wonderful, interesting and stimulating experience for me.

Thank you again, not only to the people who have helped me, worked with me and those who continue to now. Especially my wife Myriam and my son Christopher for their constant advice, but a special thank you also to all our worldwide clientele for their support over these years and a thank you to Monte-Carlo, I hope to be with you for many years to come".

 

 

Michael McKee