CHRISTIE’S BUYS HAUNCH OF VENISON

Christie’s International, the world’s largest auction house, has purchased London’s Haunch of Venison gallery, reports Bloomberg‘s Linda Sandler, citing an anonymous person close to the talks. Haunch of Venison, founded by Harry Blain and Graham Southern in 2002, competes with contemporary art galleries Gagosian, White Cube, and Hauser & Wirth. Christie’s gains store windows in London and Zurich through the purchase and wins access to wealthy buyers at art fairs where Haunch of Venison rents a booth. The person familiar with the transaction declined to disclose the price or terms. Last June, Christie’s competitor Sotheby’s agreed to a similar deal, purchasing Noortman Master Paintings for $56.5 million in Sotheby’s shares.