MESOPOTAMIA TO MID-CENTURY MODERN AT TEFAF MAASTRICHT 2018
Helvoirt 13 February 2018 - TEFAF Maastricht will present more than 280 of the world’s finest art, antiques and design dealers, who will bring their very best pieces to the 2018 edition of the Fair. The Fair provides an unrivalled draw for private collectors, museum curators, art market professionals and art lovers from many different countries. TEFAF Maastricht is the world’s leading art and antiques fair, and its international reputation is reflected in the range and quality of the rare works of art for sale at the Fair, which is held in the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre) from 10 – 18 March 2018.

Dealers that participate in TEFAF Maastricht are leaders in their respective fields which means that often newly discovered and re-discovered works come to market for the first time. This is the case for Kollenburg Antiquairs (Stand 182), who will exhibit Saint Albinus and Saint Bernardus, 1496, tempera on panel, by Filippino Lippi (c.1457-1504). This work is coming to market for the first time in over one hundred years and comes with extraordinary provenance. The panel, which was part of a larger alterpiece, was painted for the Convent of the San Donato agli Scopeti, to substitute the one commissioned in 1481 to Leonardo da Vinci, who left it unfinished.

TEFAF Antiques is the largest section of the fair, comprising 90 dealers. Each year the section presents some of the most outstanding examples of fine and decorative arts available on the market. Sculpture from across the centuries will be particularly well represented at the 2018 Fair.

Daniel Katz Gallery (Stand 100) will offer the extraordinarily evocative bronze sculpture Torso of a Crouching Woman by Camille Claudel (1864-1943). Conceived c.1887 and cast by 1913, it is believed to reflect the destructive relationship between Claudel and Auguste Rodin, in whose studio she worked for many years. Axel Vervoordt (Stand 424) will present a beautiful 1st century AD marble sculpture of the Head of Venus Genetrix, coming to market for the first time since the 1960s.

Often dealers will choose TEFAF Maastricht as the opportunity to celebrate a particular movement or theme from art history, as well as celebrating their own anniversaries. Epoque Fine Jewels (Stand 186) will celebrate their 60th anniversary at TEFAF Maastricht. To mark the occasion, they will display a remarkable piece of Belgian heritage: the Art Nouveau ‘Glycines’ choker by Philippe Wolfers (1858-1929). The choker is one of the most impressive pieces of jewellery designed by Wolfers and is composed of five alternating wisterias set with carved watermelon tourmaline and carved opal, between purple and green plique-à-jour enamel leaf clusters.

A small but impressive assemblage of exhibitors within the TEFAF Antiques section are the TEFAF Haute Joaillerie exhibitors. TEFAF Maastricht is delighted to welcome new exhibitor Glenn Spiro who is exhibiting under the name G (Stand 139). G is one of the UK’s finest contemporary jewelers and his first time exhibiting at TEFAF Maastricht will be sure to delight visitors to the Fair. A highlight on his stand will be a pair of extremely rare Cornelian bangles from the ‘Antique’ collection. They feature Mesopotamian Cornelian Arrowhead shaped elements, dating from the 1st millennium BC, paired with white rose cut diamonds, coral beads and 18ct yellow gold.

Between TEFAF Paintings and TEFAF Modern, collectors to the Fair are guaranteed to discover some of the most exciting paintings currently available, from Old Masters through to contemporary. TEFAF Modern is an ever-expanding section of the Fair which continues to go from strength to strength. In 2018, we welcome Perrotin (Stand 441), Massimo de Carlo (Stand 443), Mazzoleni (Stand 500), M&L Fine Art (Stand 523), and Leon Tovar Gallery (Stand 522). They join the 48 other dealers in this section.

Modern masters of the 20th century lead the charge in TEFAF Modern; Paolo Antonacci (Stand 337) celebrates the first retrospective dedicated to Marino Marini at the Peggy Guggenheim in Venice, Italy, presenting the powerful and evocative Cavallo e Cavaliere (‘Il Lambicco’), 1952, oil on canvas, by Marino Marini (1901 – 1980). Alongside this, Van de Weghe (Stand 510) will offer an exceptional oil on canvas work by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Tête d’Homme, 1965.

Notable artists from central Europe are also well represented at the Fair; Richard Nagy (Stand 412), will offer works by Austrian master Egon Schiele (1890 – 1918), including the exquisite Nude with Green Stockings, 1918, gouache and black crayon on paper, whilst The Mayor Gallery (Stand 451) will offer, a sensational work, Barson, 1966-1969, oil on wood, by world renowned Op artist, Victor Vasarely (1906 – 1997).

Rediscoveries also take precedence in TEFAF Paintings, with Antonacci Lapiccirella Fine Art (Stand 345) offering an unpublished painting by Antonio Canova (1757 - 1822), which constitutes a major rediscovery and marks a significant addition to our knowledge of the great sculptor’s work as a painter. The painting in question is Ritratto di Giorgione, oil on canvas, a work created to deceive some of the most renowned artists of the time into thinking it was a self-portrait by Giorgione. Portraits of Giorgione by other artists are exceptionally rare.

TEFAF Paper provides visitors with some of the most expressive and culturally significant works on paper. Spanish dealer Artur Ramon (Stand 160) will present an unpublished work by José de Ribera (1591-1652) entitled Philosopher, an oil on canvas work. It is a masterpiece of portraiture by Ribera and the intensity of the work can be compared to depictions of the Apostles today at the Prado (such as Saint Bartholomew, Saint Philip or Saint Thomas).