Robert Zehnder, Deep Tissue, 2021
Main reasons to invest
Return Potential📈: An investment of €500 could reach an estimated value of €1,418 in 4 years.
Cost-to-Return Ratio⚖️: After deducting 2.7% in annual total costs (including exit fees), your net return could reach 29.8% per year.
Institutional Momentum 🚀: Zehnder’s growing institutional recognition—through acquisitions by ICA Miami, The Mint Museum, and Morgan Stanley’s Art Collection—signals long-term value. With solo shows at top galleries and inclusion in White Cube’s 2025 group exhibition, his profile is rising fast. Secondary market prices already exceed £100,000, reinforcing strong investment potential.
Description
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Investment Horizon | 2–4 Years |
| Expected CAGR (Balanced) | 29.8% p.a. after fees |
| Optimistic CAGR | 39.4% p.a. after fees |
| Entry Discount | The purchase price, excluding fees, is 7.1% below the 2023 secondary market price. Since then, prices have increased by over 40% per year. |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.83 (vs. SMI: 0.61) |
| Value at Risk (VaR) | 75% chance to exceed €121,400 |
| Standard Deviation | 37.9% |
| Risk Rating | B (7.2/10 – Moderate Risk) |
- 2–4 Year Horizon: Focused on Zehnder’s rising gallery and auction traction, with planned exit between 2027–2029.
- 29.8% CAGR (Balanced): Based on 70% replication of 44.9% historical annual growth observed between 2022–2024
- 39.4% CAGR (Optimistic): If momentum continues, returns could exceed 39% p.a. over the holding period.
- Sharpe Ratio of 0.83: Strong risk-adjusted return, outperforming the Swiss Market Index (SMI: 0.61).
- 75% VaR Threshold: Strong probability the asset will exceed €121,400 within four years, with downside protection from rising institutional demand.
- Standard Deviation (37.9%): Typical volatility for emerging art; contextualized through comparables like Banksy.
- Risk Rating “B”: Moderate-to-balanced profile grounded in verified comps, primary sales growth, and cultural backing.
For centuries, art was collected for its cultural, emotional, intellectual, political, and economic value. Investing in a mid-career artist offers a mix of financial potential and personal satisfaction, making it an appealing option for both new and seasoned collectors.
Robert Zehnder’s Deep Tissue is a compelling representation of contemporary conceptual painting at the intersection of surrealism, abstraction, and psychological mapping. Measuring 121.9 x 96.5 cm and painted in oil on canvas, the work was executed in 2021 and remains unique—signed and acquired through the gallery Mrs., with confirmed provenance and institutional interest.
The painting’s visual language blends earthy tones with vibrant highlights, constructing a psychological topography that invites viewers into a surreal, immersive terrain. This method—what Zehnder calls “mental cartography”—offers more than visual intrigue: it delivers emotional depth and a sense of personal resonance without relying on traditional human figures. His landscapes feel unstable, in flux, and highly reflective—mirroring the viewer’s own internal perceptions.
Institutionally, Zehnder’s ascent is significant. Works have entered the permanent collections of institutions such as ICA Miami, The Mint Museum, Aïshti Foundation, The Warehouse Dallas, and the Morgan Stanley Art Collection. His participation in prominent gallery exhibitions (e.g., White Cube 2025) and fair presentations (e.g., Independent New York) signals growing demand in both primary and secondary markets.
From a market perspective, Zehnder's prices have risen sharply – from £20,000 in 2022 to £42,000 in 2024 for works of similar size, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 44.9%. At an early auction in November 2024, a painting sold for €60,292 – three times its high estimate. Due to the strong demand for his works, secondary market prices are significantly higher. In 2023, the secondary market price was £70,000. Based on primary market price increases in recent years, the estimated secondary market value now exceeds £100,000.
“Deep Tissue” offers a compelling blend of artistic originality, institutional validation, and early market momentum. With strong performance metrics and limited supply, it stands as a powerful entry point into Zehnder’s career trajectory—suited for collectors seeking long-term cultural and financial value in the emerging art segment.
Expert
Founded in Singapore in 1994, Opera Gallery has forged, over its 30 years, a network of 16 galleries worldwide including London, Paris, New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Seoul, establishing itself as one of the leading global players within the international art market. Headed by Gilles Dyan, Opera Gallery specialises in post-war French art, and in Modern and Contemporary European, American, and Asian art. In addition, the gallery represents international emerging artists such as Andy Denzler, Anthony James and Gustavo Nazareno. and more established contemporary artists such as Ron Arad, Manolo Valdés, and Anselm Reyle.
