Our History

After more than four decades at the center of the American art market, K. Nathan Gallery’s Keith Kelman is entering a new chapter…

Recognized as an authority on American and California art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, Kelman’s career has been shaped by scholarship, connoisseurship, and market leadership. His expertise spans Early California painting, American Impressionism, and Post-War Modernism.

Mr. Kelman’s professional life in art began more than 50 years ago. Extensively museum educated, he developed an eye for quality and a reputation for searching the market for gems hidden in auctions all over the world. In 1992, he established K. Nathan Gallery in La Jolla, California—which would become one of the West Coast’s premier fine art galleries.

For over three decades (1992–2026), K. Nathan Gallery distinguished itself through:

• • acquisition of fine quality American, California and European art

• • Exhibitions and leadership in Early California and Western American art

• • Representation of the leading talent in contemporary California plein air artists (Ray Roberts, Brian Blood, Laurie Kersey, Charles Muench, and Daryl Millard)

• • Longstanding relationships with collectors, estates, and institutions
  • The establishment of KelmanOrtiz Fine Frames, which has become internationally respected for their superb hand carved, gold leaf frames

A West Coast Institution

K. Nathan Gallery became known as a gathering place for artists and art appreciators, scholars, and museum personnel seeking information on market valuations, authorship, authenticity, provenance, education and opinion. The gallery consistently bridged research and the market, while pursuing the hunt for the finest examples of whatever artistic movement was of most interest at the moment.

Mr. Kelman’s opinions and critiques were widely sought by both artists and collectors. He has strong convictions on what qualities make a work of art “among the best” and the gallery consistently displayed an array of fine art, vetted by him personally, that covered the 19th and 20th centuries and rivaled many of the top museums in California and the West Coast. 

Mr. Kelman is moving to Portugal, excited to explore the country’s history, culture, land and its position in the European art world. His move is a geographic extension of his career.

In the last several years American and Northern European collectors are increasingly moving to one of the most desirable gateways to Europe, Portugal, as a place to live, collect, and engage culturally. Mr. Kelman brings something rare to the region: American expertise in a European context.

K Nathan Gallery maintains an active West Coast presence with a collaborative partnership with Diane Stewart and Stewart Fine Art in the village of Montecito, California, near Santa Barbara. Mr. Kelman will be leaving his involvement with sales and the day to day operation of the business while independently expanding other professional activities in Portugal.

• • In Portugal he will be working closely with private collectors

• • Curating showings and exhibitions

• • Serving as a transatlantic advisor on American art

• • Continuing to champion quality American, Latin American and European paintings

Mr. Kelman’s move to Portugal reinforces his continuing philosophy of participating in the world of art on his own terms. We thank him for his past service in directing and guiding K. Nathan Gallery, and wish him well in his new endeavors. 

Should you wish to connect, please contact him at [email protected].