John Berggruen Gallery

If your only goal is to see some pretty good art with a more Bay Area aesthetic, then this place is your place. It has quite a collection of Bay Area greats (Oliveira, Diebenkorn, etc.); quality of art is 4.5 stars. If you are vastly wealthy, and look the part, then you will be very well taken care of.
If you look anything like a lowly commoner without a stock-​portfolio, the staff will do everything in their power to ignore you, and insult you with their facial expressions and it’s-so-difficult-to-turn-on-the-track-lights sighs. I have never felt so insulted for just wanting to look at art before. The single staff-​person would not respond to hello, and was making it very clear that I was inconveniencing her by wanting to look at art… in an art gallery…3 hours before closing time.
Although they do peddle a few good artists, this place is nothing like the laid-​back but top-​knotch SF institution it once was. But they should stop pretending to be a public institution, and open their gallery by appointment only for the rich. This would save a horrible experience for the other 98% of the «art world» (also known as genuinely interested WORKING ARTISTS). I’m saddened to see so many galleries evicted out of downtown spaces to house run-​of-​the-​mill app factories, but if this place was, I wouldn’t miss it.

Clean space. Nice white walls. Two floors.
If they are showing an artist you like or are curious about, I recommend it.

Terribly rude staff, boring art. I’ve had more fun with street venders… I’d rather view art on a street corner than be treated rudely by some low end wannbe gallery.

Everybody talks about Diego Rivera and his affairs but Frida Kahlo messed around behind her husband’s back too. That was before the Berggruen gallery became a San Francisco institution…
Where this gallery lacks in curatorial focus and relevance they make up on price. The stable of artists is not necessarily a who’s-who of art stars but those with a high tag and even higher gimmick. I would lay double the price of any of this work that nobody will care two dung beatle balls about Gregory Crewdson or Caio Fonseca in the future. I would include Kiki Smith in this grouping but sadly I don’t think the culture will be able to relieve itself of her BS anytime soon.
Occasionally though, you can stumble on a good positive opportunity to see one of the 20^th century’s greatest hits or even a stunning new offering. As far as collecting goes budget buyers are uhhhmm, limited. Unless you are still flush with money from the 90’s any possibility of acquiring work here is slim to none. The staff is tentatively helpful but the atmosphere here is high pressure. So take a look at the art you’ll never own then move onto a less expensive and more pleasant gallery setting.
There’s one short old guy who walks around the place with a face so purple-​red it looks like his head is aching to burst from his suit and tie carapace. Bring a non-​committal attitude, sense of humor, and inner monologue. Be sure to check the price-​list for a little thrill but don’t bother playing unless you can pay.

The staff (and owner) is rude and pretentious. Which I guess is what makes a lot of people tick, so more power to them. When making purchases worth many thousands of dollars, I sort of prefer not giving my money to angry, low-​brow people/​places.
Very rarely has an inspired show or collection — great artists, yes. But if they at least brought in a rude person with decent taste this place would better deserve its reputation.

Probably the best gallery in SF for contemporary and modern art. They’ve got all the big names; last time I was there they had a bunch of Kiki Smith. In the back store room they’ve also got my favorite Ed Ruscha painting.
The inventory is very Bay Area aesthetic, compared to the poppy and/​or flamboyant and/​or crazy stuff you’ll see in LA or New York.
Only downside is they don’t actually represent most of the artists, they just consign or borrow the pieces from collectors or other galleries. But it’s probably your best bet in San Fran.

My new stomping ground. This is one of the best galleries on the west coast. No lie.

Wonderful gallery in the perfect union square location. Good mix of contemporary artists. Fabulous staff! What a treat.