Famous Art Galleries – The World’s Premier Art Dealerships

It is hard to define what qualifies an art gallery to be regarded as one of the top art galleries in the world. The famous art galleries that ultimately ascend to the top frequently promote now-famous artists and their legacies, and have a worldwide reach through physical locations and frequent participation at art shows. The best galleries, however, have the potential to constantly confront the way certain things have been executed in the past, whether it be through the reimagining of what is done within the gallery itself or perhaps what is generated outside of them, by embracing innovative, talented, or political works, and by embracing the growth of existing and emerging forms of media. Each famous art gallery is unique though, and so is the story surrounding it.

Exploring the World’s Most Famous Art Galleries

Many of the individuals behind the top galleries in the world started out with the enthusiasm that comes with new episodes in the art industry. Art is now enjoying a commercial boom, and many of the galleries on this list were formed in the 1980s and 1990s. This implies that they are not just youthful and adaptable to today’s ever-fertile modern milieu.

Still, there is also room for new galleries to establish themselves today and uncover the next wave of artists who will influence culture permanently, potentially one day earning themselves a place as a famous art gallery. Which are the best galleries currently though?

Marlborough Contemporary Gallery (1946): London, United Kingdom

Harry Fischer, and Frank Lloyd started Marlborough Fine Art in London in 1946. Both had immigrated to Britain from Austria before the war began, and they first crossed paths in 1940 while serving in the British Army’s Pioneer Corps. Fischer specialized in rare books, while Lloyd’s family had been antique and picture dealers in Vienna for three generations.

The gallery first displayed mostly works by Impressionists, post-Impressionist, and French Modern masters when it first opened on Old Bond Street in London. It also sold rare books and a few paintings at the time.

David Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, joined them in 1948 when they first opened the gallery. They are also supported by Marlborough Graphics, which produces editions in a variety of media, including photography, etching, silkscreen, and woodcut, with both gallery and non-gallery artists.

Pace Gallery (1960) – Boston, United States

Pace Gallery, founded by Arne Glimcher in 1960, has produced hundreds of high-quality publications and exhibits, featured big at art fairs, and sustained long-term significance in the art world. Pace features areas dedicated particularly to tech-focused art and photography, in addition to showcasing some of the most prominent contemporary and modern artists of the previous and current centuries. Pace was engaged in the publication of over 450 catalogs for its exhibits and artists throughout the first 50 years.

Pace Wildenstein revealed intentions for an independent publishing business named Artifex press in January 2009, committed to the establishment of online artist catalogs. In 2015, the corporation established a division dedicated to digital catalogs.

Photograph of Michael Danoff, Chuck Close, Donald Farnsworth, and Brad Pitt in front of Close’s 2009 tapestry portrait Brad at Pace Wildenstein gallery in New York on May 1, 2009; Sotolux, CC BY 3.0,

Yvon Lambert Gallery (1966) – Paris, France

Yvon Lambert launched his first gallery on the avenue de L’Échaudé in Paris, France, in 1966, and began exhibiting American painters. He exhibited Minimalism, Conceptualism, and Land art pioneers such as Lawrence Weiner and Carl Andre. Lambert moved from the 6th arrondissement to the Marais in 1977, where he showed artists such as Joseph Beuys, Miquel Barceló, Jean-Charles Blais, Louise Lawler, and Allan McCollum.

Lambert returned to the glass-roofed location on rue Vieille du Temple in 1986, where he established significant contacts with artists like Nan Goldin, Joan Jonas, Thierry Kuntzel, Jenny Holzer, and Anselm Kiefer. Yvon Lambert Paris’s 108 rue Vieille du Temple location shut in December 2014.

Front entrance of the Yvon Lambert and Xippas gallery on rue Vieille-du-Temple in Paris; LPLT, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lisson Gallery (1967) – London, United Kingdom

Nicholas Logsdail and some of his Slade School of Art colleagues rebuilt three stories on Bell Street in London in 1967, founding Lisson Gallery. Lisson Gallery is now ranked amongst the most established famous art galleries dealing in contemporary art, having pioneered Conceptual and Minimal art from its inception. The gallery now occupies roughly 4,000 square meters. It employs around 80 people across two locations in London, one in Shanghai, two in New York, and a temporary location in East Hampton.

Lisson Gallery in Bell Street, London; Ewan Munro from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lisson Gallery differentiates itself as a “super-gallery” with an astonishing selection of more than 60 of the top artists, in addition to its spectacular locations. The gallery continues to engage with many of the artists they introduced to the art world in the 1960s and 1970s, many of whom have now become icons, as well as the new crop of leading artists.

Paula Cooper Gallery (1968) – New York, United States

According to one newspaper article, the history of Paula Cooper Gallery parallels the history of the New York art scene in many aspects. Paula Cooper, the global standard of Minimal and Conceptual art galleries, was the very first gallery to open in New York’s Soho area, debuting a show to support the student committee to end the Vietnam war. Paula Cooper, who has never steered away from the political or the unpleasant, continues to bring confronting artwork to a wide spectrum of viewers. In 1996, she relocated the gallery space to the Chelsea district of Manhattan.

Paula Cooper donated the Park Place archives, as well as the early archives of the gallery, to the Smithsonian Archives of American Art in 2007.

Mary Boone Gallery (1977) – New York, United States

David Salle and Julian Schnabel were Mary Boone’s first two artists to be displayed at her SoHo gallery when it originally debuted in the 1980s. Neo-Expressionist work helped her gallery swiftly find recognition, and subsequently, it expanded to include artists like Eric Fischl and Barbara Kruger. Despite the fact that the Mary Boone Gallery, like the rest of the art market, had a difficult time in the 1990s, Boone continues to promote and nurture the careers of some of the world’s top artists.

Boone was a prominent gallerist of her period, becoming known as “the dealer who embodied the speculative ’80s art scene”. She was the first dealer to make collectors sign up for waitlists in order to purchase artworks that had not yet been made, while some collectors were given “first refusal”.

Photograph of Piper Marshall, curator of the Mary Boone Gallery in conversation with the Arts Practicum, taken in 2018; Arts Practicum, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marian Goodman (1977) – New York, United States

Marian Goodman Gallery was established in late 1977 in New York City, during an age when very few women participated in the world of art. Goodman originally founded Multiples, Inc., an art publishing company that published books and prints by renowned contemporary artists, beginning with American artists like Andy Warhol and Dan Graham before expanding to include seminal European artists like Blinky Palermo, Joseph Beuys, and Gerhard Richter, among others. Marcel Broodthaers, whose importance Goodman recognized instantly, inspired her to create her own gallery.

Today, the Gallery retains its worldwide emphasis through its exhibition locations in Paris and New York, as well as through Marian Goodman Projects, representing over 50 artists working in the United States and overseas.

Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery (1983) – Salzburg, Austria

This famous art gallery’s size, impact, and reach are almost unfathomable because they participate in all significant art fairs, consult for important public collections and museums, and operate their own publishing company, contributing significantly to the printed canonization of artwork and its most recent developments. Regarded as one of the top art galleries in the world, it encompasses over 12,000 square meters of gallery space across six venues and organizes about 40 shows annually.

Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in Salzburg; Lepus-rex-007, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Their gallery locations alone are things of beauty, including a home in London’s Mayfair neighborhood, a mansion in Paris with a Drawings Department, and an old ironworks plant from the 20th century in Pantin.

Sprueth Magers (1983) – Berlin, Germany

Monika Sprüth could no longer pretend to ignore the reality that Cologne was “swamped by male artists” in 1983. As a result, she established her collection with an emphasis on female artists, exhibiting the works of now-legendary names like Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, and Cindy Sherman.

Following their 1998 merger with Philomene Magers, the pair established venues in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles, where they continue to make contributions to cultural debate through museum-quality exhibits, books, and their artist-designed movie and music store.

Renowned for its devotion to the artists that it promotes, as well as its well-curated exhibition, it has made valuable connections with curators and museums across the globe. They are also respected for their scholarship commissions and creative book innovations.

Victoria Miro Gallery (1985) – London, United Kingdom

Victoria Marion Miro established her first gallery space in London in 1985. In 2000, she moved to a larger location there, which is now the gallery’s main office. Miro opened a second location in London in 2013 before opening a new gallery in Venice, Italy. As a well-known personality in the world of art, Miro is highly regarded, as are her galleries. Many of the top artists today were introduced and promoted by Victoria Miro over the decades.

She has helped establish and promote many international artists Tal R, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Alice Neel, and Idris Khan as well as the British artists Chris Ofili and Chantal Joffe.

Victoria Miro Gallery in Islington, London; Anthony O’Neil / Victoria Miro Gallery, Islington

Perrotin Gallery (1990) – Paris, France

At the age of 21, Emmanuel Perrotin started his profession as an art dealer, exhibiting his first pieces in his Paris flat. He had a strong eye for seeing the potential in up-and-coming artists from the beginning, and he introduced many people to now-famous artists such as Maurizio Cattelan and Takashi Murakami. He has represented several French artists since he formally opened his gallery in 1990, including Tatiana Trouve, Sophie Calle, and Xavier Veilhan, as well as more contemporary figures like Daniel Arsham and JR.

The gallery is renowned for venturing outside of the world of art and has collaborated with artists like Massive Attack and Pharrell, among others. The gallery actively asserts its position in the art world by taking part in more than 20 art fairs each year.

K11 MUSEA Level 6 Perrotin Pop Up Exhibition Space (2020);  Wpcpey, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sean Kelly Gallery (1991) – New York, United States

Sean Kelly established his own gallery in 1991 in New York after a career in the British museum sector, with a specific focus on performance and installation art, and was involved in curating exhibits for various sculptors, including Anthony Gormley and Richard Deacon. His SoHo gallery, which was established in 1995, had early shows by Robert Mapplethorpe and Marina Abramovic, and James Casabere, among others.

Sean Kelly now represents a diverse spectrum of artists working in a variety of genres and publishes artist monologues.

Sean Kelly Gallery in New York; Jeannebr at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hauser & Wirth (1992) – Zurich, Switzerland

The Hauser & Wirth gallery has been challenging our notions of what a “display” could be since 1992. The gallery, established in Switzerland by Ursula Hauser and Manuela Wirth, has produced interesting exhibits, happenings, performances, installations, and more. They’ve also invested in a variety of arts education initiatives, such as an Arthaus program for teens at their Somerset campus, in addition to publishing over 100 publications.

It’s no surprise that the New York art world couldn’t get enough of Hauser & Wirth’s first American branch, which opened in 2009.

Exterior photograph of the Sterling Ruby’s EXHM art exhibition held at Hauser & Wirth Gallery in London; Sterling Ruby Studio, CC BY-SA 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

White Cube (1993) – London, United Kingdom

Jay Jopling, a gallerist and art dealer, established a space on Duke Street in London’s West End in 1993. In less than 30 years, the collection has expanded from a single square room to six prominent sites, including one in Hong Kong, one in Paris, one in New York, and two in London. White Cube rose to national and global prominence as one of the first galleries to exhibit Young British Artists.

Cerith Wyn Evan’s Neon after Stella & Still Life (In course of arrangement…) VIII at the White Cube Gallery in Hong Kong; Lord Jaraxxus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Currently, the gallery’s portfolio includes a diverse and impressive spectrum of artists. It is regarded as one of the best galleries, occupying about 10,000 square meters.

David Zwirner Gallery (1993) – New York, United States

David Zwirner has maintained a high standard for exhibiting contemporary art since 1993, from notable minimalist pieces to time-based media. The gallery, which was created by Zwirner in New York’s SoHo area, has helped launch the careers of some of today’s most famous artists, including Neo Rauch and Luc Tuymans. Despite the fact that this high-ranking gallery represents big names with large prices, they also engage in and have started a number of humanitarian initiatives.

The Zwirner Gallery first opened its doors with a one-man show by Austrian artist Franz West. It relocated to New York’s Chelsea area in 2002. It launched a London branch in 2012 and a massive new location in New York designed by Annabelle Selldorf.

View of Lucas Arruda’s Deserto-Modelo exhibition at the David Zwirner Gallery in New York, 2019; Mendeswood, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Blum & Poe (1994) Los Angeles, United States

Blum & Poe has been a key figure in the Los Angeles art scene and abroad since its inception in 1994 by Jeff Poe and Tim Blum. Though the gallery originated in Santa Monica, its transfer to a warehouse in Culver City spurred others to follow suit and occupy what is now a prominent arts neighborhood. The gallery has never steered away from unconventional shows; their first show was a chocolate-smeared installation by Anya Gallaccio, in which the artist spread chocolate all over the museum walls.

They recently organized an exhibition in which Kanye West showed wax sculptures from his video of the song Famous.

Blum & Poe Gallery in Los Angeles; Joshua White, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gavin Brown’s Enterprise (1994) – New York, United States

Gavin Brown’s gallery is a real “enterprise” in the respect that it is not constrained by the walls and ceilings of conventional galleries. Since its inception, their initiatives have consisted of an Elizabeth Peyton exhibit at the Chelsea Hotel, Urs Fischer’s hole carved into a gallery floor, and a Jonathan Horowitz display in the old LaFreida meats location.

This humorous and astute gallery has expanded from SoHo to the West Village, the Meatpacking District, and, most recently, Harlem. Gavin Brown’s company vacated its Greenwich Street site in the summer of 2015 and relocated to a former brewery on 127th Street in Harlem, with three levels of gallery space.

View of a solo exhibition by Sturtevant at Gavin Brown Enterprise Gallery in Harlem, New York 2017; Arts Practicum, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Team Gallery (1996) – New York, United States

This renowned art gallery, known as Team Gallery, is located in New York City’s SoHo district and also has a studio space in Venice Beach. Lisa Ruyter and José Freire established it in 1996. The gallery relocated to SoHo from Chelsea in 2006, and in the same area, it launched a second location in 2011. Team Gallery officially established Team Bungalow, an outlet on Venice Beach, in November 2014.

Team Gallery in Soho, New York; John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Team Gallery places a priority on artists who are involved in radical politics and subculture. They have played a significant role in photographer Ryan McGinley’s exciting career.

Deitch Projects (1996) – New York, United States

Since 1980, Deitch has been particularly involved in the careers of three of his peers, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koons. Deitch was the first journalist to examine Basquiat’s works and had the unfortunate responsibility of providing the eulogy at his burial.

Deitch Projects, the New York gallery Deitch ran from 1996 to 2010, including more than 250 projects by artists from 33 countries. It was a one-of-a-kind establishment, more akin to a personal Institute of Contemporary Art than one of the commercial galleries.

Deitch Projects was noted for its performance programs and public gatherings such as the Art Parade, in addition to its gallery shows.

Deitch Projects Gallery in New York; Buddy Crew (Wikis Take Manhattan 2009 participant), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lehmann Maupin Gallery (1996) – New York, United States

David Maupin founded Lehmann Maupin, the famous art gallery, in New York in 1996. There are presently four locations of the highly regarded mega-gallery throughout the world: Hong Kong, New York, Seoul, and London. Since its inception, Lehmann Maupin has included well-known artists, including Erwin Wurm, Kader Attia, and Gilbert & George.

Given the gallery’s active participation in the number of museum exhibitions, public initiatives, biennials, or their participation at art fairs and online, one can clearly see the gallery’s impact.

Additionally, the gallery has a staff of about 45 and is about 2,000 square meters in size. Lehmann Maupin is currently one of the best galleries for contemporary artwork.

Sadie Coles HQ (1997) – London, United Kingdom

Sadie Coles HQ is a London-based contemporary art gallery owned and operated by Sadie Coles. The gallery exhibits the work of known and developing international artists. It was a leader in the Young British Artists movement. Sadie Coles HQ first opened its doors in April 1997 and has subsequently operated from a number of unique locations.

American painter John Currin’s initial show was followed by Sarah Lucas’s exhibition.

Sadie Coles HQ relocated to its new site in 2013, the first-floor exhibition on Kingly Street in what was once the La Valbonne nightclub. It established the third branch on Davies Street in Mayfair in November 2015.

Salon 94 (2003) – New York, United States

The gallery debuted in 2003 as an extension of the home of Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn in New York City’s Upper East Side. This gallery, created by Rafael Violy, has a dedicated exhibition area on the first floor and a mixed gallery and living space on the floor above. Ada Ruilova, a gallery artist, submitted a video piece at the first exhibition. Maya Lin, Betty Woodman, Hanna Liden, Wangechi Mutu, and Nate Lowman have all had subsequent exhibits.

As a dedicated exhibition space, the gallery opened a second facility in New York’s Lower East Side at Freemans Alley in 2007. The initial exhibition included gallery artist Huma Bhabha’s work, and later exhibitions featured Carter, Lorna Simpson, Kara Hamilton, and Lynda Benglis.

Moran Bondaroff (2008) – Los Angeles, United States

The Los Angeles gallery was formed in 2008 by Aaron Bondaroff, Alberto Moran, and Mills Moran. Since then, Moran Bondaroff has rapidly established a significant presence in the art world. They display art in a range of media and frequently lead the charge in questioning gallery expectations. Terence Koh, an artist, has set up a beehive and garden on the gallery’s roof while living there and holding classes there.

In 2012, the gallery also established the global community platform Know Wave.

The Hole (2010) – New York, United States

“I spent numerous years touring fairs thinking it was odd that galleries didn’t invest more time and panache into their displays”, Kathy Grayson, creator of The Hole, said of her NADA Miami presentations. So far, the creative trader has kept her word. Grayson wasted little time after the closing of Deitch Projects in 2010 in establishing her own location; by December, The Hole Gallery had its first stall at the NADA show, and Grayson’s aim to create themed and memorable displays was launched.

Photograph of Kathy Grayson taken in 2020; Flowerfor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Grayson’s curatorial decisions at the alternative fair have mirrored The Hole’s overall mission, which is to assist the artistic community through events, exhibitions, and experimental endeavors, and eventually, to initiate the careers of young emerging artists.

Grayson’s first booth at NADA was an artist-designed sitting room complete with flooring, furniture, wallpaper, and plants that changed every day. In 2011, Deja-Booth  featured side-by-side duplicate art fair booths, each operated by a twin.

Lévy Gorvy (2017) New York, United States

Dominique Lévy, a well-known gallerist, founded her own gallery in 2012. Brett Gorvy, former Chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s, is a driving factor and trendsetter in the 20th-century art market. Gorvy and Lévy teamed up in January 2017. Lévy Gorvy’s exhibition spaces are located at 909 Madison Avenue in New York, London, Paris, and Hong Kong.

The gallery promotes ongoing commitment to the artists and estates it represents by pursuing a vigorous schedule of exhibits and diverse activities.

Lévy Gorvy specializes in secondary market private transactions. The members of the Lévy Gorvy team reflect skill, breadth of knowledge, and a love of art.

With that, we wrap up our list of famous art galleries. As we have seen, every one of the top art galleries in the world has a unique story that is often linked to the life of the people who established them. These individuals followed their curatorial visions and desires to not only be the best galleries, but to offer something back to the world of art.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes a Famous Art Gallery Successful?

The best galleries have a distinct vision. They support a group of artists that share that vision and help to promote them. Because galleries showcase new talent, it is imperative that the gallerist acts as a good curator and only chooses works of a certain quality that fits the vision of the gallery.

Where Are the Best Galleries Found?

As we have learned from the list of the top art galleries in the world, the majority of the best galleries can be found in New York. However, many that start in this city eventually open branches in other cities across the world if successful. It is then common to see galleries pop up in London, Paris, Seoul, Hong Kong, and other art centers across the globe.

Liam Davis( Editor-in-Chief, Writer and Art Historian )

Liam Davis is an experienced art historian with demonstrated experience in the industry. After graduating from the Academy of Art History with a bachelor’s degree, Liam worked for many years as a copywriter for various art magazines and online art galleries. He also worked as an art curator for an art gallery in Illinois before working now as editor-in-chief for artfilemagazine.com. Liam’s passion is, aside from sculptures from the Roman and Greek periods, cave paintings, and neolithic art.

Learn more about Liam Davis and about us.