History

A union of visions — and, nearly fifty years on, still a family gallery on the King’s Road.

1978

A union of visions

Founded by Roberto Gagliardi, the Gagliardi Gallery has grown from the shared dreams of a dynamic couple who met in Switzerland. Roberto, hailing from Italy, and Marie, originally from Sweden, found a common passion in the world of art, which led them to establish the Gagliardi Gallery in the heart of London’s prestigious Chelsea district.

Their vision was to create a space that not only showcased art but also cultivated an environment where art could be celebrated and deeply appreciated.

The Gagliardi Gallery shopfront on the King's Road at night, lit from within, the pavement wet and the pair of stone lions either side of the window

Museums

A storied heritage

Since its inception, the Gagliardi Gallery has been a beacon of innovation and tradition in the contemporary art scene. The gallery has been involved in organising significant exhibitions not just locally but internationally, partnering with revered institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Lord Leighton Museum. These collaborations have helped bring diverse artistic expressions to a broader audience, enhancing the cultural landscape of London and beyond.

The Arab Hall at Leighton House, its tiled walls, gilded dome and central fountain

Visitors

Fifty years of company

  • HRH Princess Margaret with Roberto Gagliardi
    HRH Princess Margaret & Mr Gagliardi
    Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in conversation with Roberto Gagliardi
    PM Margaret Thatcher & Mr Gagliardi
    Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Goria with Roberto Gagliardi
    Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Goria & Mr Gagliardi
    Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister for Economic Development, with Roberto Gagliardi
    Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister for Economic Development, & Mr Gagliardi
  • HRH Princess Anne with Roberto Gagliardi
    HRH Princess Anne & Mr Gagliardi
    Italian President Francesco Cossiga with Roberto Gagliardi
    Italian President Francesco Cossiga and Mr Gagliardi
    Lord Nigel Lawson, Chancellor of the Exchequer, with Roberto Gagliardi
    Lord Nigel Lawson, Chancellor of the Exchequer, & Mr Gagliardi
    Sergio Pininfarina with Roberto Gagliardi
    Sergio Pininfarina & Mr Gagliardi
  • Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor with Peter Gagliardi at Gagliardi Gallery
    Lord & Lady Frederick Windsor and Peter Gagliardi
    Italian Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani with Roberto Gagliardi
    Italian Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani & Mr Gagliardi
    Defence Secretary Michael Portillo with Roberto Gagliardi
    Defence Secretary Michael Portillo & Mr Gagliardi
    Sir Charles Forte with Roberto Gagliardi
    Sir Charles Forte & Mr Gagliardi

Biennale

Leadership beyond the gallery

The Gagliardi Gallery extends its influence beyond conventional gallery bounds by orchestrating major art events like the London Art Biennale and the Chianciano Art Biennale. These prestigious events, held in collaboration with the Chianciano Art Museum in Tuscany, Italy, gather talent from around the globe, offering artists a platform to showcase their work and engage with the international art community.

Through these biennales, the gallery reinforces its commitment to promoting artistic excellence and innovation.

Exhibition view of the London Art Biennale 2023, with paintings hung across the gallery walls
The London Art Biennale hung at Chelsea Old Town Hall, paintings along temporary walls under the hall's painted ceiling and chandeliers, with sculpture on plinths

2013–Now

Supporting good causes

Since 2013, the London Art Biennale has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities including End Polio Now, The Salvation Army, London’s Air Ambulance and Age UK.

The donations were presented by successive Mayors of Kensington and Chelsea.

Tuscany

Our family museum

The Gagliardi Family created the Chianciano Art Museum to house their collections. The Museum hosts a series of works ranging from Neolithic to oriental art up to the contemporary.

The Art Museum is spread over an area of 3,000 square metres and offers the visitor a unique experience: an exciting journey among rare finds dating back 5,000 years, up to a significant collection of modern art.

Around the town's medieval square, thirteen buildings that once held its markets and workshops have been restored by the family as galleries. Chianciano is older still: the Etruscans and then the Romans were here more than two thousand years ago.

The exterior of the Chianciano Art Museum in Tuscany, the Gagliardi family's 3,000 square metre museum
Chianciano Art Museum

Today

Continuing the legacy

Peter Gagliardi, the son of Roberto and Marie, has continued to build on his parents’ legacy. An acclaimed art expert, Peter has contributed his insights on various international platforms, including ITV’s Posh Pawn, ABC News, Al Jazeera and CGTN (China Global Television Network).

His expertise and charismatic presence have made significant contributions to the art world and brought a wider recognition to the gallery.

Interior of Gagliardi Gallery on the King's Road, with original paintings hung salon-style across the gallery walls

1775

Further back than the gallery

The Gagliardi family has a history of art patronage that long predates Chelsea. The architect Rosario Gagliardi designed and created the Duomo di San Giorgio in Ragusa, completed in 1775.

The baroque facade and staircase of the Duomo di San Giorgio, designed by the architect Rosario Gagliardi

Always

A commitment to art and artists

Gagliardi Gallery remains dedicated to its mission of presenting high-quality, original art. It stands as a testament to the founders’ love for art and their belief in its power to connect people across cultures and backgrounds. As we move forward, the gallery continues to innovate while upholding the values of quality and authenticity instilled by its founders.

Visit us

We invite you to visit the Gagliardi Gallery and become part of our ongoing story. Explore an array of exceptional artworks and experience the rich history and vibrant future that our gallery embodies.