Jane Greenberg Rohten, known for her impeccable eye and sophisticated style, has long been a fixture on the contemporary scene. A second-generation art dealer, she grew up around the art and artists at Greenberg Gallery, her father’s St. Louis space and an important Midwest disseminator of avant-garde ideas.
But Greenberg Rohatyn has forged his own path in New York City. For many years he exhibited artists in his own home, a Raphael Vivioli-designed double-wide townhouse on East 94th Street, which gave the establishment its name, Salon 94. He had a strong hand in building some enviable collections, including Jay-Z’s and even “armies of the art world marshalled for PISSO.”
A staunch advocate for the quality of living room furniture as much as the art on his walls, he is the rare gallerist to represent designers as well as artists and blur the lines between the two. His East 89th Street space featured a recent show of whimsical objects by famed sculptor Urs Fisher — a chair with a cat sitting underneath it, another with a long tail spread out. This is a great example. On the same metaphorical pedestal is ceramist Magdalene Odendo, with painter Huma Bhabha another. She points to a graceful vessel of Odendo in her living room. “I mean, beyond,” “It’s, like, another Brancusi. Come on.”
What apps do you use the most?
Some books I will only listen to on Audible, like a Pamela Harriman book. Because I liked the tone of the narrator.
What’s the first time you’ve done it recently?
That summer, I started learning how to swim in the ocean with my friend. My first lesson, a seal followed us for a while, and it was just adorable.
What do you often wear in your wardrobe?
My leather jacket and Birkenstocks – cute ones.
Greenberg Rohatyn displays Marina Adams paintings and a Huma Bhabha sculpture in her home.
Evelyn Freyja
Do you have a uniform for certain occasions?
When I travel, I usually wear something around my neck, a light scarf – Saint Laurent. It’s more like a tie. I have a few of them. At night, I wear variations of tuxedo pants, a silk shirt, and a blazer over my shoulders.
What do you most desire at the end of the day?
A hot bath If I have time between work and going out, I’ll try and take a bath.
Who is your Guru?
This is going to be too embarrassing to admit: Aye Claude. I ask Claude questions that I may need help thinking about or don’t have time to read. We were showing Maria Parji for the first time in Paris. I said, “Claude, does being a mother affect Maria Parji?” And she threw back, “Yes, Maria Parji tells a story that when she peeled an orange for her son, it came out in a spiral, and that shape informed one of her famous chairs, the Rang chair.”
What’s your favorite cocktail, and how do you make it?
A white wine with ginger and lime or lemon and lots of ice. So, (it’s) half ginger juice and lime juice and half wine, and when I serve it with my friends, I sweeten it with a little maple syrup. I started drinking it during covid, and it just stuck. Definitely, this is our house cocktail.
What’s the latest thing you’ve added to your collection?
This incredible Dominic Knowles painting. This is an upside down horse. It’s like an operation. I grew up with a Susan Rothenberg painting, And somehow he brought it back, but in a very spiritual way.
Julie Mehrito painting from his collection.
Evelyn Freyja
What’s the most recent thing you regret not buying?
I mostly regret what I’ve sold. I regret every Jolly Maharito I’ve ever sold.
What’s the most impressive dish you’ve ever cooked?
My green frittata. It is very green, and it looks very beautiful. You can change it with different herbs, different vegetables. I found it on permanent storage.
Who is your dealer, and what resources do they have for you?
I love ceramics, and when I’m in Aspen, I buy a lot of cups and plates and things from Sam Harvey at his ceramic gallery. We laugh because I call him my pot dealer.
Another Bhabha statue.
Evelyn Freyja
What is your exercise routine, and how often do you do it?
I wake up and start my yoga practice between 7:00 and 7:30. I practice religiously for an hour and a half a week, three days a week. One to two days a week, I go to either a boxing or biking class, and now I swim. I play tennis once a week in the summer, and I hike.
Drive or be driven?
Oh, with my driving, driven. I also use the car as an office. My late stepmother-in-law, Elizabeth Rohton, was always annoyed when I called her from the car. He thought that meant I wasn’t paying attention, and so when I’m in the car, I make a very concerted effort to pay attention to phone calls.
Which car are you most attached to?
A Porsche Boxster that my husband bought when we first started dating. We love it. We recently renovated it all. And I taught all my kids and my sister’s kids how to drive a stick shift on it.
A terracotta vessel by Magdalene Odondo.
Evelyn Freyja
What is your favorite hotel?
Claridge’s I love flowers in the breakfast room in the morning. And I love their bar.
What’s the last piece of advice you have?
With my kids, often I say, “Keep it simple. Don’t overdo it.”
What advice would you follow?
Slowness in decision making. And I trust my instincts with my eyes, but maybe I shouldn’t trust so much with other decision-making. (I should) be more thoughtful, sleep on it.
A close-up of the Hella Jongris frog table.
Evelyn Freyja
The ultimate box set or Netflix binge?
Diplomat I am very happy The Great British Bake Off.
What kind of music makes you happy?
It goes from listening to Bach cello concertos as my son plays the cello to listening to the latest pop music with my daughters because they know every word to every song. But in my heart, I’m more into blues and jazz and folk. Ballad Y. You know, Patti Smith.
above: Greenberg-Rohton at home in New York City
