Maastricht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, will host The European Fine Art Fair from March 9-18, 2007. More than 200 distinguished international dealers and exhibitors from more than a dozen countries will be bringing museum quality items to Maastricht for sale.
Each object is vetted by one of the committees, which are comprised of more than 130 international art experts. The experts check each object for authenticity, condition and quality.
The exhibit is divided into sections: The Antiques and Works of Art section features fine European and Oriental ceramics. The 20th Century Art section provides works by American and European artists. The Paintings, Drawings and Prints section features major French, Spanish and Italian masters as well as Dutch and Flemish Old Masters. Also included in the fair are the Classical Antiquities and Egyptian Works of Art section, Rare Books and Maps section and La Haute Joaillerie du Monde section, which is filled with modern jewelery design.
The Old Master paintings have always been a major part of the TEFAF, which is in its 20th year. This year, the London-based specialist Johnny Van Haeften will be showing Pieter Breughel the Younger’s A Winter Landscape with the Massacre of the Innocents. In the painting, Breughel puts the Biblican story in a 16th Century setting in the Netherlands. He asks the viewer to imagine Bethlehem as a snow-covered Flemish village.
Additionally, the exhibit from Galerie Canesso of Paris focuses on 17th and 18th Century Naples. It will show 20 or so paintings, including Battle by Aniello Falcone.
Last year, more than 70,000 art collectors and lovers from around the globe descended on this city which straddles the Meuse river for one of the world’s leading art and antique fairs.
With more than $1 billion in art, it’s no surprise that the security at this event will be tight. No cameras, bags or backpacks are allowed. And, according to the official TEFAF Web site, “Obviously there is strict security at the Fair and we remind you that security personnel
are permitted to search visitors.”
The fair will be held at the Maastricht Exposition Congress Centre from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 18. Entrance is €55 (about $72 USD) per person and includes a catalogue.
