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Stephan Welz was born in 1943, the third of five sons to Jean and Inger Welz. His father was an architect by profession, but turned to art full time later in life. His mother owned an art and antique gallery.

He started his career as an academic, working under Walter Battiss in the department of fine arts at the University of South Africa. Soon after obtaining a B.Com (Admin) degree from Unisa, Stephan was appointed as a director at Sotheby Parke Bernet S.A. This was to be the starting point of a long and distinguished career as a fine arts expert and auctioneer.

In 1987, Stephan and members of Sotheby's local management bought out Sotheby's interests in South Africa and established Stephan Welz & Co. The newly formed company remained Sotheby's only representative in South Africa. Stephan sold all of his interests in this business at the end of 2006.

As a speaker and broadcaster on topics covering the fine as well as the decorative arts, Stephan Welz is constantly in demand. For over six years he presented a regular television programme on the evaluation of paintings, works of art and antiques. He is assiduous in offering his expertise in raising funds for charitable and beneficent causes.

Strauss & Co
After having sold all interests in the auction house that he started, Stephan Welz & Co, Stephan partnered with Elizabeth Bradley and Dr Conrad Strauss to start a new auction house in 2009. In the first year, Strauss & Co (as the new auction house is known) became the market leader for fine arts auctions in South Africa. They quickly built a strong team around them, including former colleagues Ann Palmer, Vanessa Phillips and Bina Genovese.

The company's vision is to encourage connoisseurship and passion at the top end of the South African art market, with an emphasis on quality, service and excellence. Strauss & Co remains the largest fine art auction house in South Africa and the global leader with regard to South African art.

Board memberships and appointments

 * 1) Board of Trustees of the William Fehr Collection in The Castle, Cape Town (Date started: Date completed)
 * 2) Council of the William Humphreys Art Gallery (Date started: Date completed)
 * 3) Africana Library in Kimberley (Date started: Date completed)
 * 4) Ministerial appointee on the Executive Council of the National Heritage Council (Date started: Date completed)
 * 5) Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (Date started: Date completed)

Auction records

 * 1) Irma Stern's Two Arabs
 * 2) Pierneef record

Publications

 * 1) Cape Silver and Silversmiths. 1976.
 * 2) Art at auction in South Africa: The art market review, 1969 to 1995. 1996.