MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, March 8 — TEFAF, considered one of the world’s leading art fairs, is notable for its rigorous vetting of exhibitors, and it attracts serious art collectors.
More than 270 art and antiques dealers from around 20 countries are expected to display their wares from March 13-22.
“Night Fishing” is a first-time exhibition of post-modern and contemporary sculpture that’s to be curated by the author and collector Sydney Picasso. Artists were chosen for their bodies of work that make historical references to the other objects on display at the fair, among them George Baselitz, Nam June Paik and Richard Deacon.
The organisers have singled out a number of other highlights. One of the main draws for furniture collectors is likely to be Salvador Dali’s famous “Mae West Lips” sofa, only five of which are believed to have been made, which will be brought to the fair by Brussels’ Patrick Derom Gallery.
From Les Enluminures in Paris is a previously unpublished prayer book containing 14 engravings by Albrecht Dürer, with contemporary hand-colouring, from the Engraved Passion executed between 1507 and 1512.
Another highlight for book lovers will be all 12 volumes of Le Grand Atlas, published in 1663 and displayed by Crouch Rare Books in London.
Paintings include “Portrait of a Man” by Frans Pourbus the Younger (1569-1622), to be exhibited by the Weiss Gallery in London after being in a private collection for the past 50 years.
Another is “Laurette au châle vert” by Henri Matisse, which comes from the artist’s estate by way of Thomas Gibson Fine Art in London.
Delving deeper into history, Charles Ede of London is bringing an Egyptian panel portrait of a young woman from the early second century AD that was formerly part of the collection of Theodor Graf.
Older still is a painted wood panel from an Egyptian sarcophagus dated 1890-1800 BC, coming from Rupert Wace in London.
Other categories covered by the fair include objets d’art, which will be highlighted by an Art Deco Chinoiserie clock by Lacloche Frères brought by Hancocks in London.
Paris-based jeweller Alexandre Reza will be exhibiting for the first time.
Among the photography exhibits is Julia Margaret Cameron’s 1868 “A Study of the Censi”, coming from Hans P. Kraus, Jr. Fine Photographs in New York. Its only other print is believed to belong to the Victor Hugo Museum in Paris.
TEFAF is open to the public. Entrance fees for adults start at €40 (RM160), with catalogues going for €25 or included in some ticket packages. — AFP-Relaxnews
