The introduction of online platforms into the art market has revolutionized how high-value artworks are sold, enabling galleries to reach a broader global audience. Among these galleries, we are pleased to count our longtime partner, Galerie Bayart, which stands out for its remarkable success on Artsper. Specializing in modern and contemporary art, particularly monumental sculptures, it has leveraged digital capabilities to present and sell significant artworks in both value and size to an international clientele.
After showcasing the work of other partners like Open Art Gallery, which strive to make art accessible to as many people as possible, we are honored to present today this distinguished institution, Galerie Bayart, known for its professionalism and its unique artistic line.
Galerie Bayart stand at a fair ©ArtPrice
From Compiègne to monumental
Founded in 2008 by Caroline and Thomas Bayart, Galerie Bayart was established in Compiègne, driven by the couple's shared passion for contemporary art, especially sculpture. Initially located opposite the Musée Vivenel before expanding to Paris and Le Touquet, and acquiring the prestigious Château du Plessis-Brion, the gallery has committed itself to promoting modern and contemporary art, with a particular focus on monumental sculpture, creating suitable spaces to display these imposing works.
Galerie Bayart has distinguished itself with a specialization in monumental and semi-monumental sculptures, particularly at Château du Plessis Brion, where the 12-acre park serves as a setting for ambitious exhibitions. In Paris, smaller works find their place, while larger sculptures are often reserved for the majestic setting of the chateau. Simultaneously, the gallery collaborates with artists to produce prints and limited editions, thus diversifying the types of artworks offered.
Artists such as Christophe Charbonnel, Patrick Villas, and Yoann Merienne form the core of the talents represented by the gallery. These artists, often exclusively with Bayart, reflect the close relationship and trust between them and the gallery. Figures like Charbonnel have been discoveries of the gallery, illustrating its crucial role in supporting and promoting emerging talents.
The gallery targets collectors and art enthusiasts, both local and international, often drawn to high-value works for private or institutional collections. The gallery actively participates in international art fairs, thus increasing its visibility to a broader audience. Concurrently, it engages in educational initiatives, organizing visits and tours to enrich visitors' artistic experience and foster interest in contemporary sculpture.
Galerie Bayart : Artsper's long-standing partners
The collaboration of Galerie Bayart with Artsper marked a strategic turning point for the gallery, strengthening its presence in the online art sales sector. From the early days of Artsper, created in 2013, the gallery joined the platform, positioning itself as a pioneer in adopting new technologies and highlighting the gallery's innovative spirit, always in search of modern means to promote its artists and their works.
Caroline Bayart: "We were among the first galleries [on Artsper]. And then, gradually, we added pieces. We saw that some sales were happening. So, we started like that."
Artsper offers Galerie Bayart international visibility, allowing their works to reach a much wider audience than before. The platform not only enables the presentation of images of the sculptures, which is less common on the gallery's website, but also displays prices, thus providing transparency and direct information to potential buyers.
Caroline Bayart: "It gives us additional visibility. It also gives us the ability to display situational photos and the price of artworks, which we rarely include on our website. There is a lot of direct information."
In terms of sales, Artsper has proven to be an effective tool, facilitating the transaction of medium and high-value works. Caroline Bayart specifically mentions the sale of semi-monumental sculptures around €50,000 via the platform, without prior discussion on logistical details, which underscores the efficiency of the system in place on Artsper. This demonstrates that, despite the challenges associated with selling large pieces online, it is possible to achieve and conclude significant sales.
The gallery has also encountered new business opportunities, enabling it to reach potential clients outside its physical network. This expansion of the market is crucial for a gallery specializing in such a specific niche as monumental sculptures. Direct interactions with clients, while important, are complemented by this ability to reach a broader and more diversified audience, often already familiar with the artists' work through the platform.
These notable sales are concrete examples of the gallery's success on Artsper. These transactions show that clients are ready to invest significant amounts online, attesting to the trust in the presentation and description of the artworks offered by Artsper. The gallery continues to benefit from this platform not only to sell works but also to increase the visibility of the artists it represents, demonstrating the depth and quality of their work to a global audience.
Patrick Villas "Panthère s'étirant, monumentale"
Adapting Galerie Bayart's Business Model for Online Sales
The collaboration with Artsper has significantly influenced how Galerie Bayart approaches the online sale of monumental sculptures. This market segment presents unique challenges, such as demonstrating the grandeur and visual impact of the pieces through photographs and detailed descriptions to overcome clients' hesitation to make large purchases online. The gallery has adapted by incorporating in situ photos and frequently updating availability and logistical details to meet the demands of e-commerce. Additionally, Galerie Bayart has navigated the complexities of delivering monumental sculptures, a concern less common among galleries focusing on smaller works.
Diverse Sales Strategies on Artsper
Artsper supports a range of business models among its partner galleries. Some galleries sell a large quantity of affordable artworks with quick inventory turnover and a broad client base. Others, like Galerie Bayart, make fewer but more expensive sales, such as two pieces sold for around €50,000 each since early 2024. These diverse business models highlight the richness of the collector audience on Artsper.
Caroline Bayart : "For the sale of monumental sculptures, we start by selling semi-monumental pieces, and we've managed to sell two pieces for around €50,000 each since the beginning of the year, which is significant."
Leveraging Artsper's Advantages
This dynamic offers Galerie Bayart flexibility and reach, allowing it to touch various market segments. More expensive works require a targeted and personalized approach, often involving direct client interaction to finalize details like transportation and installation, increasing client trust and satisfaction. By leveraging Artsper's advantages, Galerie Bayart has refined its business model, maintaining its specialization in monumental sculptures while successfully navigating the expanding online market and reaching a wider range of art collectors worldwide.
Yoann Merienne "Thessaly"
Galerie Bayart, with its unique specialization in monumental sculptures, has successfully leveraged the Artsper platform to expand its audience and increase its sales beyond traditional art market borders. By adopting this platform from its early days, the gallery has not only increased its international visibility but has also validated the online art sales model. The successful transactions of semi-monumental pieces, reaching significant prices, demonstrate the gallery's ability to navigate the complexities of this new sales channel.
Thus, Galerie Bayart's experience on Artsper reaffirms that, despite the differences in economic models among galleries, online art sales present a successful potential for all market segments. Whether by selling many artworks at more accessible prices or less frequently but at higher prices, the flexibility of online art commerce allows each gallery to find its path to success.