The first online galleries emerged back in the 2000s. Initially, it seemed that their appearance was just a nod to the innovation trend, and they couldn't pose a serious threat to other art market participants. But soon they proved they were the future, and this new format provides ample opportunities for emerging artists. We have prepared an overview of the most renowned online galleries in the global art industry for you.

1. Artnet

Country: USA

Founded: 2008

Artnet is an international online platform for trading art items, managed by the Artnet Worldwide Corporation. The founder, Pierre Cerne, developed software in 1989 to evaluate the market value of art pieces, but it was only in the 2000s that its full potential was realized. In 2014, a 24/7 news portal, Artnet News, was launched on the Artnet site to cover significant events in the art industry.

The platform's main focus is to provide users with information about online auctions. Since 1985, Artnet has compiled data on more than 10 million auction results from 1,700 auction houses. Apart from the sales information service, the website hosts a platform connecting galleries, dealers, and collectors from around the world. Their database comprises works from 35,000 artists and sculptors.

Advantages:

1. Access to a vast database of works from emerging creators and renowned masters.
2. The service offers up-to-date information about the art industry.

Artnet services are subscription-based. You can purchase a 1-day, 30-day, or 1-year subscription. The minimum subscription price is 32.5 dollars (for 1 day), and the maximum is 1175 dollars (for 1 year). Artnet is a significant player in the global art industry. Auctioneers, appraisers, art dealers, and collectors use its services. Artnet collaborates with the globally renowned auction house Sotheby's (since 2004) and the art fair Art Basel / Art Basel Miami Beach (since 2007).

Despite Artnet's many advantages, the platform also has its drawbacks:

1. Access to some advanced features or auction statistics can be pricey.
2. Some users believe the website's interface is not always intuitive, especially for new users.
3. Artnet mainly focuses on established and well-known artists, which might make the platform less appealing to new and rising talents.

2. Artfinder

Country: United Kingdom

Founded: 2011

Artfinder positions itself as a marketplace for the sale of artworks. The online platform's mission is to make art accessible for connoisseurs of beauty and to create an environment for the development of the creative potential of independent artists. In the early stages of the project's formation, Artfinder's founder Spencer Hyman managed to obtain financing from venture capital firms Wellington Partners and Graylock + Northzone. More than 7,000 authors from 108 countries now showcase their work on the online platform.

On Artfinder you can purchase:

• paintings;
• prints;
• artistic photographs;
• sculptures;
• graphics;
• digital art;
• collages.

About 15,000 new pieces are added to the Artfinder catalog every day. The online gallery's administration monitors the quality of the pieces, so after applying for collaboration, the author undergoes a thorough check.

Advantages:

1. Stringent control of the quality of exhibited works.
2. Favorable conditions for young authors (a moderate offer allows them to find regular clients).

Some users of Artfinder note high commission rates (40% for beginners, 33% for professionals) and a monthly subscription fee ($5-12) as drawbacks. The project makes a significant contribution to promoting ecological initiatives. The online gallery financed the planting of 1 million trees and continuously collaborates with Ecologi within the Net Zero 2030 initiative.

3. KyivGallery

Country: Ukraine

Founded: 2007

KyivGallery is the leading gallery for paintings, graphics, and sculptures in Ukraine. The project's founder, Roman Palii, set out to unite talented Ukrainian authors and art lovers on one platform to develop the national art market. KyivGallery became the first online gallery in Ukraine. Professional artists and sculptors showcase original artworks on the site. At the moment, more than 160 authors collaborate with the online gallery. KyivGallery accepts collaboration offers from artists and sculptors if they meet the following requirements:

• having professional education;
• being engaged in a cultural context (participation in exhibitions and other creative events);
• high quality of the works.

Only contemporary Ukrainian artists can showcase their works on the KyivGallery site. The online gallery does not work with antiques and prints. The online gallery catalog includes:

• paintings;
• graphics;
• sculptures;
• etchings;
• collages.

Advantages:

1. Exclusivity and focus on Ukrainian authors ensures the uniqueness of the presented works, attracting collectors specifically interested in Ukrainian art.
2. Rigorous selection of Ukrainian authors allows them not to "get lost" among thousands of other artists, as can happen on international platforms. This simplifies the process of searching and connecting between artists and collectors.
3. The gallery's clear specialization helps establish trust with collectors who value Ukrainian art and are looking for exclusive works.
4. KyivGallery also supports artists by participating in and organizing various events and collaborations, promoting their reputation and recognition in the art scene.
5. The gallery creates excellent opportunities for the development of young authors' talents.
6. Strict control of the quality of works.
7. KyivGallery promotes Ukrainian art in the global art market.

One of the priorities of KyivGallery's activities is the protection of Ukrainian cultural values. In addition to assisting domestic authors, the online gallery allocates part of its profits to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, contributing to the victory over Russian invaders and the protection of Ukrainian culture.

4. Artsy

Country: USA

Founded: 2009

Artsy is an international brokerage company specializing in the development of platforms for online galleries and the sale of artworks for them. The website features over 1 million works by 100,000 authors from 190 countries. The idea of creating an online platform was conceived by Artsy's founder, Carter Cleveland, while studying at Princeton University.

On the Artsy platform, you can find:

• paintings;
• reproductions;
• video format works;
• installations;
• jewelry;
• prints;
• artistic photographs;
• sculptures;
• graphics;
• digital art;
• collages.

Just a year after the project's launch, it received an award at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in the "Newcomer" category from tech giant Yahoo! in 2010. Artsy offers convenient search tools for collecting artworks across various directions, themes, styles, and authors.

Advantages:

1. One of the largest platforms for selling art worldwide.
2. Works are only allowed for sale after expert appraisal.

Artsy is actively working on the revolutionary project called The Art Genome Project. As a result of cooperation between art specialists and engineers using artificial intelligence, a search system was developed for analyzing and categorizing artworks. With The Art Genome Project, users can quickly find works based on styles, types, and themes. Artsy has its own app for searching for art pieces on gallery websites and making transactions.

In 2018, the online gallery was at the center of a scandal when it became known that malicious actors had stolen the personal data of 1.07 million users.

5. Artsper

Country: France

Founded: 2013

The online gallery Artsper was founded by entrepreneurs Hugo Mulliez and François-Xavier Trancart. They noticed that there was a growing number of art lovers, yet the art market continued to operate using old organizational principles. The founders' goal was to create a platform for convenient searching of paintings and sculptures from anywhere in the world.

Artsper collaborates with 1,800 art galleries worldwide, from Paris to Tokyo (including Perrotin, Templon, Lelong, and others). Partners pay a subscription fee and 10-20% of sales to feature their artists on the project site. Artsper's catalog lists more than 200,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, and drawings. Each work undergoes a double-check before being added to the catalog: gallery partners' experts and members of the Artsper committee both give their opinions.

Advantages:

1. A wide price range (you can find artwork even for 100 euros).
2. Possibility of reselling the work on Artsper.

The list of authors includes not only young talents but also true stars of world art (Banksy, Pablo Picasso, JonOne, Andy Warhol, Niki de Saint Phalle). Today, 25,000 authors exhibit their works on the platform.

6. SINGULART

Country: France

Founded: 2017

SINGULART, an art marketplace, positions itself as a unique project aimed at eliminating gender inequality in the art world. While only 11% of all works in US museum collections belong to female authors, the website's catalog reaches a mark of 49%. On the SINGULART site, over 12,000 authors from 110 countries showcase their work.

The SINGULART catalog features:

• Graphic drawings;
• Sculptures;
• Photographs;
• Paintings;
• Prints;
• Digital art.

The primary requirements of SINGULART experts for works are authenticity and artistic value. Mostly, the site features original works, but in special cases, the administration allows the sale of high-quality photocopies in editions of up to 10 copies.

Advantages:

1. The platform is open for emerging artists.
2. Authors have the opportunity to find regular clients on the site.

Every year, the SINGULART commission and community members select the best works and award the authors. The project has become a great opportunity for budding artists and sculptors to make a name for themselves and start building a career in the art industry.

Buyers may face difficulties in determining the quality of an artwork since purchases are made online without the possibility of seeing the work in person. At the same time, artists and buyers might feel a lack of personal interaction typical of traditional galleries.

7. MutualArt

Country: United Kingdom

Founded: 2004

MutualArt is a major portal dedicated to art themes. It publishes information about artists and auction prices. MutualArt provides access to specialized services for tracking and evaluating artworks, as well as tools for analyzing the art market. By purchasing a premium account, a user gets:

• The ability to generate reports on art industry trends;
• Unlimited access to the art market information collection service;
• The ability to receive notifications about the activities of up to 400 authors.

Moti Shniberg, David Ross, and Dan Galai founded the project back in 2004, but it only transitioned to an online format in 2008. Today, the portal has amassed a vast database on the works of over 680,000 authors, auction dates, and art prices.

Advantages:

1. A unique service for collecting and analyzing vital information about the art industry.
2. Premium or VIP tariff plans offer data on past auctions.
3. Access to the premium account is available for just 39 dollars a month.

MutualArt allows users to gather information not only about contemporary artists but also about the classics of visual art. The project processes data coming from 21,400 art galleries, museums, and auction houses.

8. Artmajeur

Country: France

Founded: 2000

The online gallery Artmajeur was launched by Samuel Charmetant and Yann Sarazin over 20 years ago. The platform collaborates with other galleries, art institutions, and associations. The Artmajeur author base includes over 200,000 artists, photographers, and sculptors. On the project's website, one can buy and sell:

• Paintings;
• Drawings;
• Sculptures;
• Photographs.

In total, the online gallery features over 2.5 million works across all thematic directions. On Artmajeur, one can also find a lot of useful information about events in the art world. For user convenience, the blog regularly publishes articles with detailed advice on how to evaluate and select a work of art. Artmajeur has created chat rooms on the site for discussing significant events in the art industry by experts and connoisseurs.

Like any platform, Artmajeur has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantages:

1. Artmajeur offers access to a vast base of authors and artworks.
2. Emerging artists and sculptors can present their works.
3. Artworks undergo rigorous checks before being listed in the catalog.
4. Artmajeur has integrated an artificial intelligence solution, allowing users to swiftly find paintings and sculptures based on textual descriptions.

Here are some disadvantages of the Artmajeur platform based on reviews and market analysis:

1. Users consider the website's design and interface to be somewhat outdated or not intuitive.
2. Although Artmajeur provides promotional tools, artists may need to spend additional time and resources on marketing outside the platform.
3. Artists who rely solely on Artmajeur for sales become dependent on its audience and changes in its policies or algorithms.

9. Saatchi Art

Country: USA

Founded: 2006

The online gallery Saatchi Art is an international portal for selling artworks. Over 94,000 authors from more than 110 countries display their works here. The majority are young artists, photographers, and sculptors. The gallery's operating format fosters career growth: artists compete for collectors' attention, borrow successful solutions, and style elements. The number of exhibited works exceeds 1.4 million.

On the website, you can purchase:

• Paintings;
• Graphics;
• Artistic photographs;
• Sculptures;
• Digital art;
• Prints.

The gallery's curators don't impose strict requirements on the quality of the artworks and their pricing. Royalties are paid to the author only a month after the sale of the work.

Advantages:

1. Works can be listed without any preliminary fees.
2. The search results display works with relevant themes regardless of the author's ratings.
3. An intuitive interface.

Among the disadvantages, experts highlight the high competition among authors and the commissions (the gallery retains 35% of the artwork's price, even if the artist brought the collector to the platform themselves). Due to the vast array of artworks, it's challenging for artists to secure regular patrons. Even though Saatchi Art announced their return to Ukraine (they stopped working with Ukrainian artists after the russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022), the site still does not allow Ukrainian artists to sell from Ukraine.

In 2014, the gallery's previous owner, Charles Saatchi, sued Saatchi Art for copyright infringement related to the brand's use. It's unclear how the lawsuit ended, but the gallery retains its original name. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Saatchi Art ceased collaboration with Russian artists and blocked user IDs from Russia. The online gallery is considered a good platform for emerging authors. On it, one can get acquainted with the principles of the art market and gain experience.

10. Uprise Art

Country: USA

Founded: 2011

The online gallery was founded by Tze Chun over 10 years ago. The idea of creating a space for art trading arose during her studies at Columbia University in the mid-2000s. Tze Chun observed many of her friends and acquaintances starting to earn good money in prestigious jobs, leaving little time for rest and gallery visits. She believed that an online gallery format would meet her acquaintances' aesthetic needs due to their lack of time and foster the development of a new art market segment.

In one of her interviews, Tze Chun mentioned that she started the project with $800 in her account. For the online gallery, she had to leave the prestigious Columbia University business school where she was admitted for an MBA degree.

Advantages:

1. The gallery offers works in various price categories (there's a section "Art under $800").
2. Uprise Art creates opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their talents.
3. In the online gallery, buyers have the option to purchase artworks immediately or in installments over 10 or 20 months. According to Tze Chun, this significantly increased sales in the early stages.

A community of artists and collectors has formed around Uprise Art. The business was elevated to a new level thanks to the practice of offering free consultations to clients. Online gallery staff can visit a client's home and provide advice on purchasing a painting considering the room's interior. Uprise Art also organizes art collecting lessons for those interested.

Despite Uprise Art representing talented artists, the art selection is limited compared to other major platforms. The prices for artworks are quite high, making the platform less accessible for budding collectors.

11. Platformart

Country: USA

Founded: 2021

Platformart is an art marketplace managed by an artist community. It sells unique art pieces, exclusive art objects, and reproductions. Every month, Platformart releases a collection of 100 works. Lots can be purchased individually until the end of the next month, after which a new collection is presented. Professional artists, representing partner galleries of the project, display their works. In addition to original pieces, prints can also be purchased on the platform (limited to one per customer).

Advantages:

1. All works on Platformart undergo rigorous verification before being listed in the catalog.
2. The online gallery offers artworks at market prices.
3. You can find exclusive pieces here, unavailable in the primary market.

Unfortunately, the platform does not work directly with artists. All contacts are made only through partner galleries. Platformart buys carbon credits from Dietl International, contributing to environmental protection.

12. Rise Art

Country: United Kingdom

Founded: 2011

Rise Art is an online art marketplace that allows users to buy, rent, and discover new artworks. The platform curates works from emerging and established artists, providing a space where art enthusiasts can directly connect with artists and galleries.

Rise Art was founded in 2011 by Scott Phillips and Marcos Steverlynck. Their mission is to make the purchase of art accessible and straightforward for everyone. Rise Art allows users to buy, rent, and discover new artworks. They also established their art awards to support and promote emerging artists.

Advantages:

1. Rise Art offers a unique rental service that allows art enthusiasts to rent artworks and live with them before deciding on a purchase.
2. The platform caters to different budgets, offering everything from more affordable pieces to high-end works.
3. The site provides guidance for those new to collecting and investing in art, including art consultancy services.

Disadvantages:

1. Despite supporting emerging artists, the platform still has a competitive environment due to the large number of artists showcasing their work.
2. Artists and galleries need to give a percentage of their sales to Rise Art.
3. Not all artists can showcase their work, as the platform has a rather stringent selection process.

13. Tricera

Country: Japan

Founded: 2018

TRiCERA is one of the largest platforms for selling art in Asia, featuring high-quality art pieces selected by experienced art consultants. A notable aspect of the platform is its successful collaboration with renowned Japanese artists who previously faced challenges presenting their work abroad. TRiCERA aims to support young and talented artists from more than 126 countries.

Advantages:

1. The platform features artists from more than 126 countries.
2. All art pieces undergo a quality verification process before they are listed on the site.
3. Pricing and information about the works are publicly available, making the buying process transparent.

Disadvantages:

1. Due to the global nature of the platform, new or less known artists might find it hard to stand out amongst the vast number of participants.
2. Like many other platforms, sales through TRiCERA include commission fees.

14. TheArtling

Country: Singapore

Founded: 2013

TheArtling is a prestigious online gallery and art sales platform that promotes contemporary Asian art and design. The platform quickly gained international recognition due to its commitment to high quality and meticulous selection of artworks. TheArtling offers a collection of art and design pieces from leading galleries and artists in Asia. They focus on contemporary art and aim to provide a platform for supporting and promoting talented Asian artists on the global stage.

Advantages:

1. One of the few platforms specializing in Asian art and design.
2. The works on the site are carefully selected, ensuring the high quality of the presented pieces.
3. Beyond paintings, the site also features sculptures, photographs, installations, and other forms of contemporary art.
4. TheArtling provides articles, news, and other resources that help buyers and artists stay updated with the latest news and trends in the art world.

Disadvantages:

1. Although the platform is international, the primary focus is on the Asian region.
2. As TheArtling features only curator-selected pieces, it might be difficult for new or lesser-known artists to get onto the platform.
3. Some pieces might be on the pricier side for a broader audience due to the focus on the premium segment of the market.

List of Websites

Links to the top 14 art platforms offering unique opportunities for collectors, artists, and art connoisseurs: Artnet, Artfinder, KyivGallery, Artsy, Artsper, SINGULART, MutualArt, Artmajeur, Saatchi Art, Uprise Art, Platformart, Rise Art, Tricera, TheArtling

In the era of globalization and digitalization, art is becoming increasingly accessible to anyone, regardless of their geographical location. The top 14 global online galleries and art marketplaces for collectors of contemporary art showcase the diversity and richness of platforms that offer unique opportunities for exploring, buying, and selling art pieces. From Ukrainian artists to global masters, these platforms provide a space for cultural, idea, and artistic exchanges on a global scale. For both artists and collectors, choosing the right platform can define their success in the art world. We hope that our review will help you make the right choice and discover new horizons in the world of contemporary art.

KyivGallery art critic