Art Department Traineeship: Modern, Post War & Contemporary at VAN HAM Kunstauktionen

Organisation: VAN HAM Kunstauktionen
Location: Cologne, Germany
Hours: Full-time
Contract: Fixed term through December 2027
Preferred start: 1 October 2026
Salary: €2,450 per month, plus Christmas and holiday payments
Application deadline: Not specified

Translated and adapted from the original German listing. Very good English is required; Italian or French is an advantage. The listing does not specify an application language.

VAN HAM Kunstauktionen is seeking a trainee to join its ten-person Modern, Post War & Contemporary department. Based in Cologne, the position offers practical experience across the work of an international auction house, from preparing consignments and catalogues to supporting previews and auctions.

Founded in 1959, VAN HAM works primarily with modern and contemporary art and is also active in jewellery and watches, Old Masters and decorative arts. Its specialist department covers Classical Modernism, postwar art and contemporary art.

Responsibilities

• Organise contracts with consignors and help manage consigned artworks from their arrival through the period after auction.
• Coordinate image editing with photographers, and review and prepare photographs for online catalogues.
• Assist with catalogue production and conduct independent research.
• Help set up auction previews and participate in telephone bidding during auctions.
• Respond to general customer enquiries.

Candidate profile

Applicants should have completed a degree in art history or a related field and have practical experience in the art trade or at an auction house. Very good English is required; Italian or French is an advantage. The team also seeks confidence with Microsoft Word and digital tools, with Photoshop skills considered beneficial. Organisation, independent working, flexibility and an ability to work with colleagues and clients are important. A category B driving licence is an advantage.

VAN HAM offers experience in an international art-market setting, along with a choice of Urban Sports membership or €50 monthly credit on a Givve Card, and a travel ticket. Applications can be submitted through the online job listing. The named HR contact is Karin Eisenbeis.

Translated and adapted from the original German listing. Very good English is required; Italian or French is an advantage. The listing does not specify an application language.