PALM BEACH SHOW GROUP, September, 2014-- M.S. Rau Antiques is a distinguished exhibitor at all Palm Beach Show Group Events.
Considered one of the foremost experts on 18th- and 19th-century
European and American antiques, fine art and jewelry, Bill Rau has
worked in the family-owned gallery full-time since he was 21 years old,
and part-time since the age of 14. After graduating from the University of
Colorado in 1982 with a degree in Business, he returned to his hometown
and began a highly successful career as one of the most respected
industry experts and gallery owners today.
Upon taking the reigns as President and CEO in 1995, Bill instituted
improvements at M.S. Rau that have put him on top of a multi-million
dollar operation. Located in the heart of the historic French Quarter in
New Orleans, with more than 30,000 total square feet of showroom, M.S.
Rau Antiques houses extraordinary collections of important works of fine
art by Renoir, van Gogh and Monet, incredibly rare jewelry including
natural colored diamonds and Burma rubies, and an array of
breathtaking antiques typically found only in the most prestigious
museums in the world.
Bill's extensive knowledge and reputation as a leader has not only brought
him success in the antiques business, but accolades from his peers. An
avid collector as well an authority in his field, Bill has helped to place
several items in museums around the world, including the New Orleans
Museum of Art, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Instituto Ricardo
Brennand in Receife, Brazil. His highly anticipated book, entitled From
Barbizon to La Belle Époque, Ninteenth-Century European Painting, was
released in October 2012. The text sheds new light on the history of 19th century European painting by examining the works of over 200 masters,
covering dozens of movements from Romanticism to Impressionism, and
everything in between. Bill has also written numerous articles published in a wide variety of antique journals, lectured around the world at museums and events, and was the youngest senior member ever accepted to the American Society of Appraisers.
In commemoration of M.S. Rau Antiques’ 2012 Centennial, Bill founded
the Rau for Art Foundation. The RFA’s yearly Student Scholarship
Competition and Teacher’s Art Fund grant allows the company to give
back to the community while advancing the appreciation for the arts in
Greater New Orleans. Employees of M.S. Rau Antiques comprise the RFA,
contributing their time and professional skills to help these students reach
their dreams.
Today, Bill serves as President of the Royal Street Guild, and is a member of the Wedgwood Society of New York and Boston, the American Cut Glass
Association, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the
Music Box Society International, the Better Business Bureau, the New
Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and the Young Presidents' Organization.
