SA’s leading auctioneer Stephan Welz dead at 72
FINE art expert and auctioneer Stephan Aage Welz died on Christmas Day in his Joburg home after losing his battle to cancer. He was 72. Welz had more than 35 years’ experience with Sotheby’s in London, Amsterdam and South Africa and was described by company Strauss & Co as having a “vast knowledge of South African art and antiques making him the most respected generalist in these fields”.
The respected auctioneer was diagnosed with three types of cancer last month. His wife, Carmen, was quoted as saying that her husband diedat 4pm.
She said he was “anxious” about not dying in a hospital bed and preferred to be surrounded by “flowers and the music that he loved”.
She told the media that her husband’s memorial service was to be held in the New Year and his remains were to be cremated.
Welz was born in Worcester in 1943. He was the third of five sons of Jean and Inger Welz.
His father was a renowned artist who worked for some time as an architect.
Welz’s mother owned an art and antique gallery for at least 30 years in which he assisted as a boy.
Shortly after earning his Bachelor of Communications degree at the University of South Africa, he was appointed to the Board of Sotheby Parke Bernet in South Africa.
In 1975, he became an executive director. By 1983, he was appointed a director of Sotheby’s London.
This later led to the formation of Stephan Welz and Co.
He sold the business in 2006 and joined Strauss & Co.
He was described by his colleagues as being knowledgeable and creative in his line of business.
Welz leaves behind his wife, daughter Tanya, son Konrad and two grandchildren.