Museum-Quality Old Masters & Major Contemporary Names — Confidential Off-Market Placements
Each work handled by ISHTAR is subject to rigorous due diligence, with particular attention to provenance, authenticity and art historical significance. Only pieces with solid pedigree, documented history and full scholarly and market validation are considered, ensuring confidence, transparency and long-term value for collectors and institutions alike.
Five decades devoted to the service of Art
ISHTAR Art Dealers & Agents
Founded in Madrid in 1976, Galería ISHTAR was established by the collector and art dealer Ana Zaballos, one of the most dynamic figures in the Spanish art scene of her time. Conceived from the outset as both a gallery and an artists’ agency, it combined a strong commitment to figurative art with an exceptional capacity for international projection. Through her close relationships with artists, critics, institutions and the media, Zaballos organised exhibitions in Spain and abroad, promoted major acquisitions for public collections and positioned her artists in leading museums and foundations. Her work laid the foundations of a network based on connoisseurship, discretion and long-term trust that continues to define ISHTAR today.
ISHTAR has successfully placed works in some of the world’s most prestigious museums, royal collections, public institutions and leading private holdings. These include, among others, MoMA in New York, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, Patrimonio Nacional in Spain, the White House in Washington, the Royal Palace of Brussels and the Royal Collections of Amalienborg in Copenhagen, as well as major museums and cultural institutions across Europe, the Americas and Asia. This international presence reflects a sustained track record in the primary and secondary markets and a long-standing network of trust with collectors, curators and institutions.
Discretion is a defining principle of ISHTAR’s activity. All transactions are conducted within a strictly confidential framework that protects the identity of collectors, the provenance of the works and the strategic interests of both buyers and sellers. Operating largely through private negotiations and off-market placements, the firm provides secure, bespoke advice at every stage of the process, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism, trust and long-term relationship management in the international art market.
We’ve worked with some of the best museums all over the world
FAQs
Do you operate through public sales or private transactions?
We work primarily through private and off-market transactions, ensuring the highest level of confidentiality and tailored conditions for both buyers and sellers.
What type of works do you handle?
We specialise in museum-quality Old Masters and blue-chip modern and contemporary artists, always with documented provenance, confirmed authenticity and strong art historical relevance.
Do you advise collectors and institutions in acquisitions and sales?
Yes. We provide strategic, independent advice for acquisitions, placements and collection management, offering bespoke solutions based on connoisseurship, market knowledge and a long-standing international network.
How are works selected for acquisition or placement?
Every artwork is evaluated through a strict process of connoisseurship and due diligence, assessing provenance, authenticity, condition, market relevance and long-term value before being presented to our network of collectors and institutions.
