8 Online Galleries For Art Lovers To Buy Art
If you're like us, you enjoy discovering the latest art pieces, art styles, and artists. But keeping up with the art market and gallery scene is very time-consuming.
While physical galleries offer a tactile experience in viewing art and an opportunity to discuss art with someone directly, it has their challenges. Finding galleries that cater to your tastes takes time, and you might miss out on some original artworks due to rotating and limited exhibitions. This is where online art galleries come in. With online platforms, the global art market is always just a click away. Let's say they are a one-stop shop that makes viewing and buying art easier and more accessible.
Buying art online doesn't have to be an impersonal process, even though the lack of physical experience can be off-putting to some. The positives, however, are numerous, including convenience, a broader selection, transparency in pricing and artist information, ease of comparison, and much more.
Luckily, we know a thing or two about buying and selling art online. We've been doing just that since opening UGallery in 2006, shipping thousands of original pieces to happy art collectors.
We're sharing with you the eight best places to buy art online and why they made the list. We'll assess these online marketplaces based on the following criteria:
- Curating style - What are they known for?
- Curator availability - Can you access art advisory services?
- Shipping - What's the shipping process, and how much does it cost?
- Packaging - How much effort do they put into ensuring your art arrives in perfect condition?
- Return policy - How easy or challenging is it to return a piece if something goes wrong, and who bears the cost?
The Best 8 Galleries To Buy Art Online
Small, Curated Galleries:
Large Art Marketplaces:
Art Prints:
1. UGallery - Highly Curated And Helpful Gallery Staff
Established in 2006, UGallery offers a user-friendly site where you can easily select your preferred art styles and explore curated collections of original art.
Professional Curation
The vetting process for new artists at UGallery is particularly thorough. UGallery curators review every artist's application and accept only about 3%. UGallery supports both emerging and established artists.
Expert Customer Service
When you have art consultations via call or email, you don't get an entry-level customer service representative. You talk directly to Samantha or Alex. They are expert art advisors with degrees in art history and art business and have served thousands of art collectors in the last 18 years. Meet the UGallery team.
Exclusive Art
UGallery offers exclusive artwork, which means two things:
- Every piece on UGallery's website has been selected by the curators.
- You are browsing original artworks that are not for sale anywhere else.
Custom Commissions
Another benefit is that you can commission work from your favorite UGallery artists. Samantha handles the process from start to finish. She works with the artist to ensure you get what you want on time and within your budget.
High Standards Of Shipping
Every artwork is shipped in a custom-made art box built by an exclusive manufacturer. The boxes are built slightly bigger than the piece you purchased. The three layers of high-density foam not only protect your art but also eliminate the need to use messy packing peanuts.
The package includes a card with details about your artwork. The artists may even drop a personal note before closing the box, which adds to the buying experience.
UGallery In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - Highly-vetted selection of artwork and artists, with the option for customized commissions.
- Curator availability - UGallery works closely with you to help you find the right piece of art for your space.
- Shipping - Free shipping is available in the contiguous US. International shipping is available, including Alaska and Hawaii.
- Packaging - Art is shipped in custom-fit boxes with high-density foam for extra protection.
- Return policy - Try your artwork at home for seven days. Return it for free if you don't love it. Read the full return policy here.
2. Affordable Art Fair - Art That Doesn't Cost A Fortune
In 1999, the Affordable Art Fair started as an in-person event held in the UK to bring original art to people at an affordable price. It has since grown into a series of worldwide exhibitions with the same mission of making art available to everyone at reasonable prices.
True to their word, they continue to maintain a cap on the price of artwork purchased through their website.
If you're looking to get started with art collecting, the Affordable Art Fair is a good jumping-off point. They have personal art advisors on site and very knowledgeable gallery staff. If you live near an Affordable Art Fair and are in the market for art, it's worth checking out. (UGallery hosted a booth at the Affordable Art Fair in New York City for nine years.)
Affordable Art Fair In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - Original artwork at affordable prices.
- Curator availability - Not available for online purchases.
- Shipping - Varies by seller. They offer a shipping calculator to help you understand costs. Shipping can take from a few days to twenty.
- Packaging - Currently, they do not have details on packaging available online.
- Return policy - They offer a 14-day compatibility period for all pieces bought via their online marketplace, subject to exclusions.
3. Degree Art - Promoting Students And Young Artists
What's nice about Degree Art is the opportunity to support emerging artists. As the name implies, they give priority to student artists and recent graduates. If you're in the UK, you can arrange to view some of their collection in person. They offer financing for greater payment flexibility.
Degree Art In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - They are students and emerging artists.
- Curator availability - They offer art advisory services.
- Shipping - You can opt for a pick-up if you are in the UK. International delivery takes up to 10 days. Shipping prices range from £15 to £100.
- Packaging - No information available online.
- Return policy - 14-day return policy with free returns.
4. Artfinder - Supporting The Global Arts Community
ArtFinder is a B Corp, which means they measure and share their impact on the environment and their artists. They have an additional focus on planting trees as part of their mission.
Artfinder In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - A marketplace for artists.
- Curator availability - Personal shoppers are available for $200, credited towards future purchases.
- Shipping - Artists are responsible for shipping their art. They choose the delivery mechanism.
- Packaging - Varies on the artist and their shipping preferences.
- Return policy - They offer a 14-day return policy and a refund for the artwork's value and shipping costs.
5. Saatchi Art - Millions Of Pieces Of Art To Browse
Saatchi Art is one of the largest online art platforms. It was established by Charles Saatchi in 2006 and changed ownership in recent years.
Saatchi Art offers a little something for everyone, from photographs to paintings to sculptures and prints. If you want to browse and buy affordable art online, they're a great place to start.
In contrast to some online galleries, Saatchi doesn't limit the artists that can sell work on their site. Almost anyone can sign up. With their wide variety of artworks, it can be a bit overwhelming to navigate their site. Thankfully, they have a dedicated art advisor service that can help narrow down your selection.
Saatchi Art also offers inexpensive, high-quality reproductions of the art they represent. These prints are a good option for people who are just getting started with buying art but aren't ready to take the plunge with originals and those who are on a tight budget.
Saatchi Art In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - Huge selection of art grouped into themed collections.
- Curator availability - Yes, through their art advisor services.
- Shipping - They offer global shipping and door-to-door delivery service.
- Packaging - Handled by the artist. Packaging options are typically a cardboard box, a wooden crate, or a dent-resistant tube, depending on what you purchase.
- Return policy - Refunds within 7 days, with some conditions.
6. Singulart - Art From Around The World
Singulart recruits artists from around the world, and they have a filter that sorts artists by nearly every nationality. They are perfect for art lovers seeking international art styles. With their live chat feature, you can quickly get answers to your questions or guidance from their staff.
Singulart In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - Works with global artists.
- Curator availability - Either through email or live chat.
- Shipping - Shipping cost is calculated at checkout.
- Packaging - Artists follow a packaging process determined by Singulart.
- Return policy - They offer a 14-day return policy.
7. Artsy - Auctions And Art By Famous Artists
If original art by famous artists is your thing, then Artsy is the online platform for you. Artsy features over 1 million pieces of art from over 100,000 different artists, billing itself as the largest online art marketplace in the world.
Artsy showcases artwork by museums and blue chip art galleries. If you're in the market for a six or seven-figure artwork but unable to visit a gallery in person, Artsy is the place to go, virtually speaking.
Artsy has an app that uses augmented reality to show you what a piece of artwork would look like in your home.
Artsy In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - Represents galleries and museums who choose what they list for sale.
- Curator availability - Yes, they offer advisory services.
- Shipping - Handled by the seller and varies from piece to piece.
- Packaging - Sellers are responsible for paying for any packaging.
- Return policy - The return policy is unique for each seller. Artsy advises potential customers to ask at the time of purchase to ensure the most accurate information.
8. Minted - On-Demand Prints And Some Fine Art
Minted's main business is printed materials such as invitations, calendars, and personalized stationery. They also do fine art prints and facilitate commissions with artists they represent.
Minted can be a good resource for art newbies looking for wall furnishings that are a step above college posters of Van Gogh but who aren't quite ready to spend money on original paintings.
Minted In Broad Strokes
- Curating style - High-quality prints, with fine art as a secondary business.
- Curator availability - Their option for direct curator engagement is currently not available.
- Shipping - Roughly ten days for standard shipping time for prints. Prices range from $0 to $100.
- Packaging - Depends on what you order. Fine art is shipped in a sturdy mailer or box.
- Return policy - Free returns on prints. Commissions are managed by the artist.
Important Things To Consider When Buying Art Online:
Packaging And Shipping
These are probably the most important logistics to consider when deciding whether to purchase art online. Proper packaging and shipping can make the difference between receiving artwork in pristine condition or a damaged piece.
Our tip is to look for a company that understands the mechanics of safely shipping art, like UGallery.
UGallery uses custom-built boxes with high-density foam to protect each artwork. You can trust that your purchase is snug and safe on its journey to your door.
Know The People Behind The Gallery
When you're investing in art, you want to feel confident that you're dealing with a company that has your best interests in mind. The same case goes when buying art in online galleries.
Look for a company that offers personalized curation services, responsive and caring customer service, and good judgment of what it takes to get original art safely from point A to point B.
Who Is UGallery The Best Fit For?
At UGallery, we love working with art lovers of all kinds – from seasoned collectors who know exactly what they want, to those who still seek guidance in collecting new art.
What all of our clients have in common is the desire for something original that connects them with the artists. With UGallery, you're getting one-of-a-kind art and a curated experience.
Clients receive handwritten notes on every purchase, and they can share feedback with artists directly on their profiles.
Building a community of artists and collectors is something UGallery takes pride in. We'd love for you to become part of our inner circle.
Looking for your next art piece? Check out our staff favorites and discover the perfect addition to your home.
