Five galleries that are pure art.

Many more galleries deserve a place on this list, and we acknowledge that we’ve omitted some of the most renowned. Yet our aim was to highlight those that have inspired us most profoundly, whose rich traditions or visionary approaches make them utterly indispensable. After all, galleries serve as the artists’ voice, the ephemeral museums housing tomorrow’s masterpieces. They offer a flash-forward of art, always remaining one step ahead.

VETA by Fer Francés

VETA burst onto the scene in November 2021 in Carabanchel, with the bold ambition of transforming Spain’s art scene. Its founder, Fer Francés, opened this large gallery in the most industrial area of Carabanchel, surrounded by mechanical workshops, printing and garment workshops. And he did so by vindicating the importance of painting with a trio of aces: Abraham Lacalle, Santiago Ydánez and Matías Sánchez.

Spanning 1,200 square meters, VETA claims the title of Madrid’s largest gallery, and its swift embrace by the local community has positioned it as a cultural catalyst for a neighborhood in full metamorphosis. Here, art pulses through the old red-brick factories, the residents’ courtyards, and, since VETA’s arrival, the party walls of vacant lots, thanks to Santiago Ydáñez’s striking work “El Milagro”.

With the exhibition Ceci n’est pas une foire, Francés reveals both his innovative vision and the expertise honed at his former gallery, Javier López & Fer Francés, as well as at prestigious galleries like Tim Van Laere Gallery, the XL Gallery and the David Zwirner Gallery.

Housed in a former kitchen factory, VETA’s main space unfolds as a labyrinth of paintings, sculptures and murals by Kang Haoxian, Cristina Lama, Brenan Lynch, Juan de Morenilla, STILLZ, Santiago Ydánez, Atanda Quadri Adebayo and Julio Galindo. The international pantheon of contemporary art now feels closer than ever: right at the edge of the asphalt, in the very heart of Carabanchel.

Juana de Aizpuru Gallery

In Spain, 1982 will forever be associated with the World Cup and Naranjito, yet that year also marked the debut of ARCO. Juana Domínguez Manso—known as Juana de Aizpuru—founder of the gallery bearing her name, which first opened in Seville in 1970, played a pivotal role in organizing and promoting this landmark global art event.

ARCO was far from an isolated triumph. Through the Juana de Aizpuru scholarship, established in 1979, she provided dozens of young Andalusian artists with opportunities for international exposure, taking their work to prestigious fairs like Basel in Switzerland. Her leadership extended to ARCO’s management until 1986, as well as to her Madrid gallery, opened in 1983 on Barquillo Street a space that became the gallery’s sole venue from 2004 onward.

Over the decades, Juana and her gallery have marked a series of personal and professional milestones, earning distinctions such as the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts and the insignia of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Republic. Today, it remains a cornerstone of the art world, with a strong presence at international fairs including Art Basel, Art Cologne, Kunsrai in Amsterdam, Art Frankfurt, Art L.A. representing artists such as Rogelio López Cuenca, Mirolaw Balka, Eric Baudelaire, Cristina de Middel, Sandra Gamarra, and Luis Claramunt, among many others

Joan Prats Gallery

The former Joan Prats hat shop on the Rambla de Catalunya was the blank canvas with which the brilliant architect Josep Lluís Sert created a space of reference in the art world. The name was kept in honor of its previous owner, a historic promoter of Catalan art, but its founder, Joan de Muga, wanted to transcend its function as an exhibition hall. For him, the gallery was a launching pad for artists working with him. A completely innovative vision at the time that allowed him to exhibit works by Christo, Kenneth Noland, James Lee Byars and, of course, Joan Miró, whose exhibition inaugurated the space.

In 2014, the gallery relocated to its current home at Balmes Street, No. 54, yet family stewardship endures, with Patricia and Marta de Muga now at the helm. Following Joan de Muga’s death in 2020, the gallery upholds a stellar exhibition program, representing acclaimed artists such as Jordi Alcaraz, Hernández Pijuan, José María Sicilia or Alfons Borrell among many others. It remains an essential artistic pillar of Barcelona’s art scene.

Rafael Ortiz Gallery

The Rafael Ortiz Gallery was founded in 1984 with a distinctly avant-garde vocation. Its unwavering commitment to promoting the most contemporary art sought not only to elevate its visibility within the art scene but also to affirm that diverse currents and sensibilities all have a place within its walls.

Moreover, its facilities occupy a spectacular early 18th-century palace house. Within its grand rooms, contemporary works stand in striking contrast with the spaciousness and austerity of the original architecture, amplifying their impact and captivating every visitor. The gallery’s exhibitions unfold through a compelling curatorial vision, seamlessly blending support for emerging artists with the masterpieces of great established artists.

In 2009, the Rafael Ortiz gallery launched Los Sentidos Ediciones, its own publishing house dedicated to narrative texts, essays, and poetry exploring both ancient and contemporary art. Since 2013, the gallery has also maintained a presence in Madrid through R.O. Proyectos space at 61 Huertas Street.

CarrerasMugica Gallery

The CarrerasMugica Gallery began its journey in 1994 as Galería Colón XVI, launching with artists of the stature of Eduardo Chillida, whose estate it continues to represent today. Since 2014, it has operated from a spectacular headquarters designed by architect Juan Herreros, who transformed an industrial space into a vibrant hub for art enthusiasts within Bilbao’s dynamic cultural landscape.

Herreros’ design honors the functional essence of the original warehouses, nestled in an Ensanche block courtyard, where the roof’s skylights and metallic structural columns take center stage. This distinctive atmosphere showcases works by Basque talents such as Asier Mendizábal, Txomin Badiola, or Itziar Okariz; and international figures, such as Richard Serra, Jessica Stockholder and Rita McBride.

TEXT: Nacho Carratalá.

PHOTOS: VETA, Juana de Aizpuru Gallery, Joan Prats Gallery, Rafael Ortiz Gallery and CarrerasMugica Gallery.