If you’re in the game of buying and selling, it’s important to know what tools are at your disposal.
We at The Baer Faxt are here to help cut through the noise—in the spirit of that, we spoke with Elliot Safra (you might remember him from his days at Christie’s or Lévy Gorvy), co-founder of The Art Marketplace, about what they offer…
So, what is The Art Marketplace? Who is it for?
The Art Marketplace is a platform that facilitates private sales directly between collectors, globally. It was founded in mid-2025 by myself and a group of partners, to address the core pain points of traditional secondary transactions: excessive friction (i.e. having to consign works physically to auction houses or galleries), public failure risk (ie. risk of works being ‘burned’), and forced timelines (ie. the next auction or art fair).
We’ve drawn on over a decade of experience across leading auction houses and galleries to grow the platform into a vetted network of over a thousand active users who use the platform to buy and sell discreetly. Although collectors are the core of our audience, we welcome advisors and galleries to participate as potential buyers of listed works.
How does it differ from other platforms like Artsy, or traditional secondary market platforms like auction houses or dealers?
The Art Marketplace is built around one principle: privacy with minimal effort and maximum control for the collector. Unlike auctions or public marketplaces, there is no exposure risk. Collectors can quietly test interest at a desired price level without signaling urgency, failure, or market weakness—particularly important in periods of uncertainty like what we’ve experienced in recent years.
Selling through the platform allows collectors to share works with a global audience in seconds, rather than chasing advisors, navigating dealer politics, or waiting months for auction consignments. All inquiries are handled with strict discretion: identifiable details are only shared after verified interest has been expressed, and with the seller’s explicit approval for each request.
Why can’t I see images?
This is intentional.
Many works on the platform are fresh to market, sensitive, or being sold by collectors who explicitly do not want public exposure. Showing images—even behind a login—can quickly lead to screenshots, leaks, or market chatter.
Instead, access is permission-based. Advisors and collectors can request details, images, and condition reports directly. This mirrors how serious secondary transactions already happen offline and ensures that interest is qualified and respectful. In short: privacy first, access second, visibility last.
What’s the sweet spot price wise?
The platform performs best with works in the mid-six figure range. While there is no hard floor, we try to keep the minimum value above $50,000. Works above $1,000,000 tend to be more difficult to sell online without proper in-person viewings and are therefore more selectively accepted. That said, we care far more about quality, provenance, and market relevance than price alone. A compelling work at $75,000 with the right context can be just as appropriate as a seven-figure painting.
That’s a good point—are buyers and sellers able to facilitate viewings?
We have facilitated in-person viewings in the past for high-value works, though we try not to make it the norm to keep the platform efficient. Our priority is ensuring the buyer is completely confident in their purchase—so a transaction rarely happens before we’ve provided detailed videos and close-ups of the pieces.
We also offer a comprehensive guarantee: if a work arrives materially different from what was shown or in a condition other than described, we void the transaction and provide a full refund. This ensures our buyers can move forward with absolute confidence.
What about fees or commissions?
Our 10% commission is intentionally competitive and materially lower than traditional secondary market options, particularly when compared to auction houses. We keep fees straightforward, transparent, and aligned with successful outcomes—not with consignments, publicity, or unnecessary intermediaries. The goal is to make private transactions feel fair, modern, and frictionless for both sides.
How secure is it?
Trust is foundational to the platform. Buyers and Sellers are vetted, with background and reference checks. Works are reviewed for market relevance and credibility. Transactions are facilitated with meticulous contracts and established payment rails. Identities are protected with transactions fully processed to the standard of leading auction houses and galleries. In many ways, it behaves less like a “tech platform” and more like a trusted private office, with modern infrastructure behind it.
What challenges have you faced since launching last year?
The biggest challenge has been resisting scale for scale’s sake. In a market accustomed to volume, visibility, and constant noise, we deliberately chose to grow slowly and thoughtfully—curating supply and building trusted relationships. We establish direct relationships with every seller, taking the time to understand the nuances of their works. Similarly, buyers who express interest are contacted directly to ensure their inquiry is informed, serious, and aligned on both sides. Building trust with sophisticated collectors takes time, but we believe that patience is precisely what allows the platform to compound in value over the long term.
How do we get started?
Head to our website here —it’s easy to get in touch if you’re interested in buying or selling! Follow us on Instagram (@the.artmarketplace) where we highlight artists available through The Art Marketplace.
