The owner of the gallery, Dr. Maria Galen, studied art history, medieval history and history of the early modern period at the University of Münster and completed her studies with a master’s thesis on „Ferdinand von Plettenberg as a patron of the arts – Nordkirchen Castle“ (2006). This was followed by a dissertation on the Flemish Baroque artist Johann Boeckhorst (2010; published by Baar Verlag, Hamburg 2012), which was awarded the „Fürstin von Gallitzin – Prize“ in the same year.

Dr. Maria Galen was already active in the art market during her studies, including some time working for the auction house Christie’s in Amsterdam. In 2011 she decided to found the Galen Gallery with a focus on Old Masters, especially Flemish works of the 17th century. She was able to pass on her knowledge and experience of the art market to students through regular seminars at the WWU Münster and the Kunstakademie Münster.

In addition to her work in the gallery, Maria Galen was a founding member of the non-profit association „Dein Brunnen für Münster“. Through this association, the fountain „Sketch for a Fountain“ by Nicole Eisenman returned to Münster in October 2021.

For the parish of St. Lamberti in Münster, Maria Galen acts in an advisory capacity and is entrusted with the conception of a treasury. This includes medieval and baroque objects as well as works of classical modern and contemporary art.