The gallery officially opened the doors in 1998 when Eva Hart decided to open a world class gallery on Ocean Avenue in Carmel. However the origin of the gallery goes back much further. Over thirty years ago, Eva Hart’s sister and brother in law opened a gallery in Northern Germany. In these thirty years they established exclusive relationships with some of the best artists in their field. With that liaison the Hart Gallery quickly became one of the most successful and respected galleries in Carmel and the Bay Area. Soon a franchise was opened in Chicago on prestigious Oak Street. In 2002 Eva & Ed Hart used all this experience to open their flagship gallery in Palm Desert, a hidden paradise, insider tip and vacation destination for the Forbes 400 and playground for the Hollywood set. Located on El Paseo, the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert”, the gallery offers a spectacular showroom for the extraordinary selection of high caliber international original paintings and sculpture.

Palm Desert soon turned out to be the most successful location and Eva Hart decided to concentrate all her efforts on this gallery, marketing her stable of artists to patrons all over the world taking advantage of new technology. After yet another expansion the gallery now offers 5000 square feet of showroom and a walk in storage facility with access to their vast and eclectic inventory.

Rather than trying to cater to common trends the HART GALLERY has been introducing unusual art for an acquired taste. Over the last few years the art scene on the West Coast has become more sophisticated and challenging. Art buyers have become more discriminating in their selection and homeowners want to do more than merely decorate with their art. The trend has certainly changed from decorative art as an accessory to impressive art as the main focal point of the home. Designers encourage their discerning clients to choose fine art that speaks of their character, education and personality.  Important art sets the tone in many homes and leaves a lasting impression on every visitor. 
Of course the most valuable contribution of such an investment is still the everyday enjoyment and pride of ownership.

Among the many galleries on El Paseo, The Hart Gallery has become the destination of choice for art shoppers with a taste for something different. 

It has always been the endeavour of Eva Hart to make sophisticated art approachable and to make the daunting process of acquiring a valuable work of art a pleasant experience without surprises or regrets. “Our main goal is to become art consultants to our patrons for life and to develop a relationship based on trust” says Eva Hart. For that she and her nephew, Gallery Director Christian Hohmann and his team, have always gone out of their way to offer services to their patrons that encompass a lot more than just facilitating an acquisition. “It is our philosophy to help our clients to integrate new art with their existing collection and assist in proper placement in order to achieve that magical balance and harmony that transforms a house into a home with character and spirit.

Christian, who was born into the art business as the son of the Hart’s curators, and who was the youngest gallery operator in Germany at the age of 21, sums up what defines the spirit of The Hart Gallery with a quote from one of their world renowned artists Paul Wunderlich, who, when asked: “Can people... can a society, live without art?“ he answers:  “Yes, but it’s hardly worth it!”