Gallerist

What Is a Gallerist?

A gallerist is an owner or operator of an art gallery. Gallerists buy and sell artworks, and often focus on higher-end pieces that carry premium prices. The job responsibilities range from the technical — such as how to display artworks — to operational, such as keeping the gallery running properly. 

Understanding the Duties of a Gallerist

Gallerists are responsible for the artworks shown in the gallery. Gallerists may also work with curators and art dealers to determine which pieces to show. The gallery may specialize in particular genres of art or periods of time, or they may include several different types of art, allowing buyers to see a range of different pieces in one location.

Buyers and sellers expect someone with expertise to be assisting them when evaluating a particular work of art, so gallerists need to be well-versed in the art they are selling. This knowledge may come from a formal education in art history, or the gallerist may have been a museum curator or worked in auction houses in the past. A gallerist should know how to price their inventory so it will sell, but not be undervalued.

Keeping up with the current art trends and markets is very important when it comes to valuing art. Some gallerists are able to determine whether a particular piece is authentic or a forgery, and can identify the artist of an unsigned piece based on the techniques used to create it.

To be a successful gallery owner, one must also be able to run a business, including keeping accurate financial records, paying taxes, managing employees, and tracking inventory. Those without business savvy may be more fit to work for another gallerist, where they can use their art knowledge without worrying about the business side of things.

Special Considerations

"Gallerist" is a relatively new term. It was most likely coined to avoid any negative connotations associated with other names for the position — art dealer, or art broker. The term "art dealer" could be seen by some in a negative light since the word dealer may suggest a high turnover of merchandise and a lack of a connection to the art pieces.

A gallerist, on the other hand, is more likely to be seen as someone who supports or represents artists who create the works shown in the gallery, rather than someone whose main goal is to sell art. The term itself may have derived from the French word, "galeriste," which is often used by top gallery owners to distinguish themselves from other dealers, or the German words for a male or female gallery owner, "galerist" or "galeristin."