gallery
GAL-uh-ree
/ˈɡæləri/
A room, series of rooms, or building where works of art are exhibited, often for commercial sale or public viewing.
Often implies a focus on visual arts (paintings, sculptures) and can be commercial (selling art) or public (non-profit exhibition space).
The story behind the word. Derived from the Medieval Latin galeria, which originally referred to a covered walk, portico, or long narrow passage. Because these long corridors were ideal for hanging large paintings, the word eventually came to mean any space dedicated to displaying art.
Word relationships
- showroom: A showroom is purely commercial and displays retail goods, whereas an art gallery displays creative works with aesthetic intent.
Commonly confused with
- museum: A gallery usually focuses on displaying visual art (often for sale), while a museum preserves historical, scientific, or cultural artifacts for public education.
Word family
- gallerist (noun): An owner or operator of an art gallery.
Collocations
- art gallery
- gallery owner
- private gallery
- portrait gallery
Idioms & expressions
- play to the gallery
Example sentences
- "The local gallery is hosting an exhibition of contemporary landscape paintings this month." Visiting an art exhibition
Memory hook
Imagine a long galley (like a ship's corridor) lined with beautiful paintings on both sides. A long corridor of art.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to a historical museum that displays non-art artifacts like fossils or ancient weapons.
Fun facts
- The term 'playing to the gallery' comes from the cheapest, highest seats in a theater (the gallery), where actors would overact to please the rowdiest audience members.
Related words
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