What Hauser & Wirth is and what it does
Hauser & Wirth is a contemporary art gallery and dealer with locations in major cities worldwide, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Zurich. The gallery shows and sells artwork by living and recently deceased artists, primarily in painting, sculpture, photography, and video. Unlike a museum, which displays art for public viewing without selling it, Hauser & Wirth operates as a commercial business — it buys and sells work, represents artists under contract, and earns money through sales and commissions.
The gallery was founded in 1992 by Iwan Wirth and Manuela Hauser in Zurich. It has grown into one of the largest and most influential contemporary art dealers globally, with a roster of represented artists and a track record of major sales at auction houses and to collectors. The gallery also produces exhibitions, publishes catalogs, and occasionally organizes art fairs where it displays and sells work.
Key Takeaways
- Hauser & Wirth is a for-profit art dealer and gallery that buys, sells, and represents contemporary artists, not a museum.
- The gallery operates physical gallery spaces in major cities and also sells work online and at art fairs.
- You can visit a Hauser & Wirth gallery in person during posted hours to view exhibitions, and most exhibitions are free to enter.
- The gallery sells work to collectors, institutions, and other buyers; prices vary widely depending on the artist and the piece.
- Hauser & Wirth also manages the estates and legacies of deceased artists and handles authentication and provenance research.
How to visit a Hauser & Wirth gallery location
Hauser & Wirth operates gallery spaces in multiple cities. The main locations include New York (with galleries in Chelsea and the Upper East Side), Los Angeles, London, Zurich, and several other international cities. Each gallery has its own address, hours, and current exhibitions listed on the Hauser & Wirth website.
Visiting is straightforward: find the location nearest you, check the posted hours (most galleries are closed Sundays and Mondays), and walk in during business hours. Admission is typically free. The gallery staff can answer questions about the work on display, the artists, and pricing if you are interested in purchasing.
Many galleries also host opening receptions for new exhibitions, which are announced on their website and social media. These events are often open to the public and are a way to see new work and meet gallery staff and artists.
What kinds of art Hauser & Wirth shows and sells
Hauser & Wirth focuses on contemporary art — work made by living artists or artists who died recently. The gallery represents a diverse range of artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and mixed media. The artists on the roster range from emerging to established, and the work ranges from figurative to abstract.
The gallery also handles the estates of deceased artists, meaning it manages the sale and promotion of their work after death. This includes authenticating pieces, researching their history (called provenance), and selling them to collectors and institutions. The gallery's website lists its represented artists and often includes images and descriptions of their work.
How prices work and how to buy
Artwork at Hauser & Wirth is priced individually and varies enormously depending on the artist's reputation, the size and medium of the work, and market demand. A painting by an emerging artist might cost a few thousand dollars, while work by an established artist represented by the gallery can cost hundreds of thousands or more. The gallery does not publish a price list; you ask the staff directly or contact the gallery by phone or email.
If you want to purchase work, you can do so in person at the gallery, or you can contact the gallery directly to inquire about a specific piece or artist. The gallery also sells work at art fairs, where it displays pieces alongside other dealers. For collectors making large purchases, the gallery often negotiates price and can arrange shipping, insurance, and documentation.
The gallery also works with auction houses — sometimes Hauser & Wirth will sell work at Christie's or Sotheby's on behalf of a collector or estate, and the auction house takes a commission.
The difference between a gallery, a dealer, and a museum
A gallery is a physical space where art is displayed. A dealer is a business that buys and sells art. A museum is a nonprofit institution that collects and displays art for public education and does not sell it. Hauser & Wirth is both a gallery (it has physical spaces) and a dealer (it buys and sells work for profit). It is not a museum.
This distinction matters because it affects what you see and what you can do. At a museum, you view art that the institution owns, and the art is not for sale. At Hauser & Wirth, you view art that the gallery owns or represents, and most of it is for sale to anyone with the money to buy it. The gallery's goal is to sell work and represent artists; a museum's goal is to preserve and educate.
How Hauser & Wirth makes money
Hauser & Wirth makes money in several ways. When it sells artwork directly to a collector, it keeps the profit (the difference between what it paid for the work and what it sold it for). When it represents an artist, it typically takes a commission on sales — often 50 percent of the sale price, though this varies by contract and arrangement.
The gallery also earns money by taking work on consignment, meaning an artist or collector gives the gallery a piece to sell, and the gallery keeps a percentage of the sale price if it sells. Additionally, the gallery may charge fees for authentication, provenance research, and estate management services.
Running a gallery is expensive — the gallery pays rent on its spaces, salaries for staff, costs of shipping and insuring artwork, and the cost of producing catalogs and mounting exhibitions. These costs are built into the prices of the work the gallery sells.
How to contact Hauser & Wirth or inquire about work
You can contact Hauser & Wirth through its website, which lists phone numbers and email addresses for each gallery location. If you are interested in a specific piece or artist, email the gallery with details and a staff member will respond. If you want to visit, check the website for hours and current exhibitions.
The gallery also maintains social media accounts (Instagram, for example) where it posts images of new work and announcements about exhibitions and events. Many collectors and art professionals follow these accounts to stay informed about what the gallery is showing and selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to visit a Hauser & Wirth gallery?
No. Hauser & Wirth galleries are open to the public during posted business hours and do not require an appointment. Walk in anytime during those hours. If you want to see a specific piece or have a detailed conversation with a staff member, calling ahead is a courtesy.
Can I buy art from Hauser & Wirth online?
Yes. The gallery's website displays work and allows you to inquire about pieces. You can also contact the gallery directly by email or phone to discuss a purchase, arrange shipping, and complete the transaction. Some work is sold through the website directly; for other pieces, you work with a gallery staff member.
What if I want to sell artwork to Hauser & Wirth?
Contact the gallery directly with information about the work — artist name, title, date, medium, dimensions, and ideally a photo. The gallery evaluates whether it is interested in buying the work outright or taking it on consignment. Hauser & Wirth is selective and focuses on work by artists it represents or work with strong provenance and market demand.
Does Hauser & Wirth authenticate artwork?
Yes. The gallery provides authentication and provenance research services, particularly for work by artists it represents or whose estates it manages. This service typically involves a fee and requires documentation of the work's history. Contact the gallery for details about the process and cost.
Is there a difference between Hauser & Wirth and other contemporary art galleries?
Hauser & Wirth is one of the largest and most established contemporary art dealers globally, with significant resources, a large roster of represented artists, and a strong track record of sales. Smaller galleries may represent fewer artists, have less international presence, or focus on a narrower range of work. The core business model is the same — buying, selling, and representing artists — but scale and reputation differ.