Physical galleries that exhibit artworks are referred to as art galleries, while websites or e-commerce platforms that showcase art online are called online art galleries. With the advancements in technology and the significant impact of the recent pandemic, the importance of being online has become fully apparent. Nowadays, online shopping rates have increased considerably compared to previous years. As a result, art galleries have also started presenting their works online to art enthusiasts.
Through the internet, one of the greatest blessings of our age, art galleries can include every detail that a physical art gallery could offer.
What is an Art Gallery?
An art gallery is a place where artworks by various artists are exhibited and can be purchased by art lovers. While our article mainly discusses online art galleries, there are also physical galleries, similar to museums, where works are exhibited and sold through salon exhibitions.
Art galleries generally collect and host works that align with a certain period or artistic viewpoint. This period or viewpoint is called an artistic focus. For example, an art gallery may only feature contemporary works. This requires art enthusiasts to visit a gallery that matches their interests. Online art galleries make it easy for art lovers to find the works they prefer through category systems or search buttons. In other words, instead of browsing many sites, one can find multiple artistic focuses on a single website.
From Art Galleries to Online Galleries
The exhibition of art dates back 300 years. Art galleries known as salon exhibitions first appeared in the Louvre Palace in 1699. Until 1737, they were exclusive to royal members, but after that date, the public could also attend. With the beginning of Ancient Art History in 1764, both criticism and full integration of art with the public were achieved.
The French Revolution was a turning point for spreading both art appreciation and artistic practice among the public. Thousands of artworks were submitted to exhibitions, with more than half being returned. Events in 1881 changed this system, allowing all artworks to be exhibited. From this period onward, the increasing number of salons covered all of Paris and became a pastime for the bourgeois class.
Art galleries shifted from being mere salon exhibitions to becoming gateways for seeking genuine art, particularly with the decline of the bourgeois system. During this period, real artworks emerged, and commercial interests decreased. This was made possible by galleries established by real artists who showcased authentic art. Today, the most modern form of art galleries is the online art gallery. By utilizing technology, access to artworks has become much easier.
Advantages of Online Art Galleries
Online art galleries, unlike physical ones, can reach not just local visitors but people all over the world. Exploring galleries and discovering new works from one end of the globe to the other has become very easy. Artworks can be viewed 24/7, allowing art lovers to access many works quickly. Additionally, artworks can be purchased online and delivered securely to buyers. While visiting a physical gallery requires significant time, an online art gallery can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, via computer or smartphone. This saves time. You can browse galleries during a break, at home, or while traveling. Online galleries also offer detailed filtering (by artist, category, or price range), helping visitors quickly find the artworks they are interested in or researching.
Benefits for Turkey
Physical art galleries are mostly located in major cities like Istanbul and Ankara. By going online, art lovers in different cities can easily explore gallery collections. This is an important factor in spreading art throughout Turkey. For example, someone living in Antalya would find it challenging to physically attend a favorite artist’s exhibition in Istanbul. With online galleries, accessing that exhibition takes less than a minute. One can browse the gallery, examine the artworks, and easily purchase desired works online.
During an online gallery visit, visitors can digitally communicate their questions or information requests to the gallery and receive responses. This raises the question of what makes a good online art gallery, which we will address in the final section of this article.
Which Types of Artworks Are Displayed?
All artworks displayed in a physical art gallery can also be showcased in an online art gallery. Oil paintings, watercolors, sculptures, prints, and collages can all be presented online. Typically, galleries professionally photograph the works and upload them with detailed information to the online gallery.
Pandemic and the Online Boom
The pandemic brought the concept of online interaction to all of humanity. Many physical stores started selling their products online, and physical meetings were replaced by digital ones. Similarly, art galleries began moving online. As mentioned above, this shift has allowed artworks to reach more people and helped increase the visibility of artists and their works.
The Future of Online Art Galleries
Technology continues to advance rapidly. E-commerce is evolving every day. This requires online art galleries to continually improve themselves. Professional online art galleries must monitor technological developments and make necessary adjustments.
The unlimited and easy access of artworks and artists to the public is a great advantage for art itself. Lesser-known artists gaining recognition and having their works reach larger audiences is crucial for the growth and development of art. Clearly, the appreciation for art and artists is increasing day by day. A larger audience interested in art is highly important for society. The development of countries and the creation of more knowledgeable and creative individuals is closely linked to art.
Features of a Professional Online Art Gallery
- Fast performance of the online gallery is perhaps the most important factor for visitors. Professional galleries invest heavily in this area.
- They allocate significant budgets to software and design to provide the best experience for their visitors.
- They implement necessary measures to ensure visitor security.
- They use professional infrastructure to help visitors easily find the artworks they are looking for.
- They carefully respond to questions and information requests from each visitor, valuing every individual.
- If the gallery sells artworks online as an e-commerce platform, it uses professional payment solutions.
- They have professional photography equipment and put substantial effort into photographing artworks to display them optimally online.
- In addition to artwork details, they provide comprehensive information about the artists.
- They provide details such as the year of creation, dimensions, frame information, and materials used for each artwork.
- Information about the artist, including birth date, education, and general style, is also shared with visitors.
Artopol Art Gallery
As Artopol Art Gallery, we operate in Sarıyer, Istanbul. On our website, Artopol.com.tr, all our artworks can be viewed online and safely ordered. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
