OUR MISSION

If one is to be truly alive he or she must have passion - passion for life, for love, for family,
for work, for interesting experiences, and for fine things. Passion runs deep through one's
veins and soul as well as expresses itself intensely in its splendor. Our true passion is Art.
Art tells a story - a story of the artist and his or her vision, the story of the work itself, and how it makes the collectors see and feel in their own eyes and memory when they look at it.

Art transcends time, heritage, religion, race, composition, and feeling. It lives, breathes, and captures the essence of pure color, texture, life, objects, people, and moments. We will strive as a Gallery to bring you the greatest Old and Modern Masters the world has known, as well as some of the finest newcomers that are just beginning to make their true mark on the Art world.

We promise to listen to you - your tastes, your feelings, your philosophies, your goals and your needs. We will provide you with world-class service and great Art. We hope each time
you acquire a work from us, that we have added to your joy and passion for life,
and that you cannot wait to return and add to your collection. We further promise
to make you proud of our civic achievements through our integrity, community service,
and philanthropic efforts.

We thank you for your belief in us, and look forward to helping you again soon.

OWNERS' PROFILE

Steven Hartman is the owner and founder of The Contessa Gallery in Cleveland.
The Contessa Gallery has two locations – one at Legacy Village and the other in Playhouse Square.
The Contessa Gallery is Cleveland’s finest gallery specializing in Old and Modern Masters
as well as the most prominent American and International artists living today.

Mr. Hartman began collecting art in his early twenties, and after a very successful career as an investment advisor and Vice-President of UBS/PaineWebber he opened The Contessa Gallery to fulfill his dream of becoming a fine art dealer. Mr. Hartman has won several art industry awards, and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of Art World News Magazine.

Mr. Hartman has served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations and privately held companies. He is a University of Michigan graduate, a recipient of the prestigious “40 under 40” award by Crains Cleveland Business, and is a graduate of the Wexner Heritage Leadership
Development Program.

Mr. Hartman and The Contessa Gallery were also the presenting sponsor of the Louise Bourgeois “Spiders” sculptures in Cleveland. He is an avid art collector who is fueled by his passion for art.

Karen Tscherne is the co-owner and co-founder of Contessa Gallery in Cleveland. She has led a very interesting and unusual life. From the age of 8 years old she was sent away to become European educated in Austria. This led to her early independence, cultural sophistication, and multilingual skills.

After a highly successful career as an award winning executive in the fragrance and cosmetic industry, she co- founded The Contessa Gallery. Ms. Tscherne is a Case Western Reserve University graduate. She has traveled extensively, and is an avid art collector.