2024-04-16
The art gallery is a bit like a museum, but actually has nothing to do with it. Both institutions operate on completely different principles and perform different functions. The museum is used to present exhibits related to a given field (e.g. French painting), while the gallery presents private collections, enabling the purchase of selected artworks. What else should you know about how the gallery works?
The type of artworks presented in the art gallery depends on its founder. Its task is to determine whether it intends to present artworks by contemporary artists or collections of paintings or sculptures from antiquity or the Middle Ages. It is equally important to decide what kind of artworks will be in the gallery. These can only be paintings, as well as jewelry or a collection of artworks made in a specific style.
The art gallery presents artworks belonging to a private collector or authors who have collaborated with the gallery. In both cases, the presented paintings, sculptures or ceramics are the property of a private person, who can dispose of them at his own discretion. He can present them at exhibitions for a fee, put them up for sale or make them available for free viewing.
Art galleries also promote young, talented artists. Thanks to their support, recognition is gained by contemporary artists who convey various ideas and values with their art. The support of the owner of the art gallery allows artists to present themselves to a wide audience and thus link their further life with art. Without support, it is difficult for them to find sponsors and earn money on exhibitions or selling artworks.
The owner of an art gallery should first of all define the profile of his activity. Its task is to select works that will be on offer and to adapt the premises to the expectations of specific recipients. If the gallery includes contemporary and classical artworks, abstract and folk, the result will be an unattractive mixture. The gallery will turn into a shop where, instead of admiring art, only home accessories are selected.
Refined art, targeted at a narrow audience, is presented in galleries in exclusive buildings, ensuring peace and privacy. For this group of customers, the most important thing is the ability to freely interact with art and discretion. Buyers of exclusive artworks usually want to avoid publicity and meetings with journalists, fans or paparazzi. The artworks of less known artists, dedicated to a wider group of customers, can be presented in an art gallery in an office building, at a train station or at an airport. It might as well be operating in another part of town or offering artworks for sale online.
The art gallery profits from its activities. It makes money by making it available to view artworks and selling them. If the gallery presents paintings by contemporary artists, their sale takes the form of a commission. The artist receives a fixed amount for his artwork, and the gallery owner a commission of 10 to even 50%. In this way, the art gallery earns its living and maintains financial liquidity.
Profits for an art gallery are also generated by investing in valuable artworks by famous artists. This applies in particular to paintings or sculptures that were created in the ancient or medieval period. The mere display of them in a display case for viewing by visitors ensures considerable profits, which additionally increases the possible sale of the collection.