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Tucked away in the quiet elegance of Westlake’s Terraces of Solana, Gallery 19C offers an unexpected portal to another time—an era of dramatic transformation, visual poetry and masterful brushwork. Specializing exclusively in 19th century art, this refined gallery is quickly becoming a significant player on the international stage, despite its low-key suburban locale.
“Most people say, ‘Oh my goodness, I didn’t even know you were here,’” laughs gallery manager Lois Lyda. “But when they find us, they’re blown away. It’s like discovering something magical hidden in plain sight.”
A Personal Journey Turned Passion
Gallery 19C was founded by Eric Weider, a seasoned art collector who transitioned into art dealing after more than two decades of collecting. His journey into 19th century art began with a teenage trip to Chicago.
“I went to see the Rolling Stones, not a museum,” Weider admits. “But we ended up at the Chicago Institute of Fine Art, and for the first time, a painting stopped me in my tracks. It was a Renoir.”
That quiet, unexpected moment changed the course of his life. Years later, a similar encounter at Christie’s auction house in New York led him to buy his first painting. That purchase marked the beginning of a love affair with the 19th century—a century of transition, tension and extraordinary creativity.
Why the 19th Century?
For many art lovers, the 19th century is eclipsed by the bold colors of Impressionism or the abstract energy of modern art. But for Weider and his team, the appeal lies in the complexity and depth of this transitional era.
“It’s the bridge between the old world and the modern world,” Weider explains. “You see the influence of the Old Masters, but you also see the seeds of modernism being planted. Politically, culturally, technologically—everything was shifting.”
The gallery’s collection reflects this diversity, featuring French, American, German, Scandinavian and English works. “Paris was the epicenter at the time,” says Weider. “It was the Hollywood of the art world. Everyone who wanted to be somebody came to Paris.”
One of the gallery’s artists on display, Eugene Boudin, was Monet’s first teacher. “Monet said, ‘If I became a painter, I owe it to Boudin,’” says Lois.
Museum-Level Quality—Right in Texas
Despite its local setting, Gallery 19C boasts a global reach. In just the past year, the gallery has sold works to the Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The acquisition process is part science, part art. While some pieces are discovered through auction houses, many arrive through direct inquiry. “Sometimes it’s like
‘Antiques Roadshow,’” says Lois. “Someone emails a photo of a painting they found in a garage. Most are nothing—but once in a while, we get a gem.”
Thanks to decades of experience, Weider and his team can often determine a painting’s value from a single image. “We don’t have to fly across the world to inspect every piece anymore,” Lois says. “We just know.”
The team includes gallery director Polly Sartori, a veteran of Sotheby’s and Christie’s with 30 years in the field, as well as Agnès Penot, a renowned expert on 19th century art, responsible for compiling the comprehensive cataloguing for all paintings in their inventory. They also partner with specialists to ensure that the precious paintings stay in top shape, such as a trusted art restorer who collaborates with the Dallas Museum of Art. “One painting came to us completely covered in soot from a fireplace,” recalls Lois. “Our restorer cleaned it using only Q-tips and her own saliva—turns out it’s the perfect pH for cleaning oil paintings.”
A Community Resource
Gallery 19C may deal in international treasures, but its roots in the local community run deep. It’s open to the public, free of charge, Monday through Friday. And the team is as passionate about education as they are about art.
“We’re not just here to sell,” Lois emphasizes. “We host events, lectures, school tours, even private dinners. We want people to fall in love with this art the way we have.”
Westlake Academy’s art students have toured the gallery, as have residents from senior care centers—including individuals with dementia. “It was beautiful to see,” Lois says. “You don’t need memory to appreciate art.”
One particularly memorable event featured a live portrait demo by a local artist using 19th century techniques. “It made the paintings feel alive,” Lois recalls. “People were mesmerized.”
Weider also gives lectures on 19th century art history, sometimes for groups as small as six, and sometimes for larger corporate gatherings. “We see the gallery as an amenity,” he explains. “For the office tenants here, for local families, for anyone who walks in. It’s like a museum where you can take something home—if you leave a check.”
Art With a Soul (and a Story)
Many of the gallery’s paintings come with remarkable backstories. “One piece had been in the same family for over 100 years,” Lois says. “It was originally intended for a Paris salon, but the artist gave it to his children’s governess instead. It changed hands through marriages, deaths, and finally came to us.”
The paintings themselves often carry marks of history—stamps, stickers and handwritten labels on the back that trace their journeys across countries and centuries. “It’s like detective work,” she says.
And that passion for storytelling extends to every guest who walks through the door. “Eric loves giving personal tours,” says Lois. “He’s a teacher at heart. If he’s in town, he’ll gladly walk you through the gallery himself.”
An Invitation to Discover
With roughly 40 to 50 paintings on display at any given time—and a rotating inventory of twice that many in immaculate storage—Gallery 19C is an ideal entry point for both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers.
“It’s the perfect place to explore,” Lois says. “It’s quiet, intimate, and not overwhelming like a giant museum. You can take it in one piece at a time.”
Weider agrees. “I’ve had visitors ask if they can just stop by with a coffee during their lunch break. Absolutely. We get people from the offices upstairs who come in just to unwind. That’s what we want.”
For those ready to delve beyond the surface, Gallery 19C offers a unique opportunity—not just to view great art, but to engage with it. To learn its history. To imagine its future.
And for Weider, it all started with a single painting. “That Renoir changed my life,” he says. “I hope we can be that for someone else.”