Melanie Clore
Melanie Clore | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 |
| Occupation(s) | Art dealer, auctioneer |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Known for | Chairman of Sotheby's Europe (2011–2016), Global co-chair of Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern art department (2000–2016), Co-founder of Clore Wyndham Fine Art |
Melanie Clore (born 1960) held the position of chairman at Sotheby's Europe between 2011 and 2016, and from 2000 to 2016, she was the global co-chair of Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern art department. In September 2016, alongside Henry Wyndham—also a former chairman of Sotheby's Europe—she established Clore Wyndham Fine Art. Clore serves as a Trustee for both the Royal Academy Trust and the Clore Duffield Foundation.
Career
Clore earned her degree in History of Art from the University of Manchester. Her professional journey commenced at Sotheby's in 1981, where she started as a graduate trainee and junior cataloguer within the Impressionist and Modern art division. By 1985, she had become Sotheby's youngest female auctioneer. In 1990, she broke new ground as the first woman auctioneer to lead a major evening sale focused on Impressionist and Modern artworks. She was promoted to worldwide co-chairman of Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern art department in 2000.
In 2010, Clore oversaw the auction of Alberto Giacometti's 'L'homme qui marche I', which sold for $104.3 million—setting a new record for the highest price paid at auction for an artwork at that time. During her tenure as chairman of Sotheby's Europe starting in 2011, she was instrumental in the February 2015 London Impressionist, Modern & Surrealist Art Evening Sale that achieved a record-breaking £186.4 million.
After departing from Sotheby's in February 2016, Clore co-founded Clore Wyndham Fine Art, an advisory firm specializing in managing art collections and facilitating transactions for affluent collectors. The Financial Times recognized their deep expertise and extensive connections within the art industry.
In 2004, Clore was appointed by the UK Prime Minister to the board of trustees at Tate, becoming an honorary member of the Tate Foundation in 2009. Since 2010, she has been a trustee of the Clore Duffield Foundation, which supports initiatives in cultural education, arts, heritage institutions, and social welfare across the UK. Additionally, she holds a trusteeship at the Royal Academy Trust and previously served on the board of trustees for the Whitechapel Gallery from 1988 until 1999.
Personal life
Clore is married to Yaron Meshoulam; together they have two children and live in London.