Maastricht is the birthplace of the euro, a nucleus for medieval architecture in Europe, and one of the Netherlands's most legendary purveyors of pottery and ceramics. Every March, it is also home to an event that draws art-world insiders from around the world. TEFAF Maastricht, staged by The European Fine Art Foundation, brings together curators, collectors, and dealers from over 20 countries to show the best of fine art, antiques, and design spanning 7,000 years of creation.
The fair was first launched in 1988 with a coterie of Old Masters dealers, quickly growing to its current behemoth size and welcoming buyers from over 200 major musems annually. At this year's edition, which is set to run from March 15–20 (with previews March 13-14), 273 dealers and galleries from 21 countries on five continents will be setting up shop at the MECC.
From Old Master paintings and rare antiquities to contemporary photography, jewelry, and avant-garde design, the fair presents a curated selection of works spanning centuries and cultures. Standout pieces include Titian's Madonna and Child with St. Mary Magdalene, 1555-60, which has been held privately out of view for the last two centuries and is now being shown by Trinity Fine Art, and Atalanta and Hippomenes (After Guido Reni), 2024, an innovative reinterpretation of a Guido Reni painting by Ai Weiwei, brought to the fair by Galleria Continua.
One of this year’s most exciting inclusions is the return of TEFAF Focus, founded last year. The initiative spotlights groundbreaking artists and movements through a singular curatorial lens. Among the highlights: Paul Coulon will showcase Dan Flavin's first serial work, the nominal three (to William of Ockham), 1963, and Mariane Ibrahim is presenting pieces by Salah Elmur created during his own daughter's wedding celebrations.
Additionally, TEFAF Showcase continues to champion emerging dealers. On this year's roster are 10 participating galleries including New York's Amanita, Desmet Fine Art from Belgium, and FENG J Joaillerie d'Art from China. “As a foundation, TEFAF has rightly viewed support for young and emerging dealers as central to its mission," said Managing Director Dominique Savelkoul in a statement. "Since the inception of Showcase in 2008, it has been the starting point for many leading international dealers. I hope this year’s participants will be inspired by the generations of galleries that have preceded them.”
For the second year, the fair will also host the TEFAF Summit on March 17, supported by its Global Lead Partner, AXA
XL. The event is organized in partnership with the Netherlands Commission for UNESCO, and discusses challenges in funding for the arts, particularly philanthropy's capacity for counteracting the trend. The panels are slated to feature a variety of experts and stakeholders across the arts, finance, academics, and governmental sectors.
"I am delighted to see the breadth and variety of this year’s galleries, from the Arts of Africa and Oceania to Chinese porcelain," said Savelkoul ahead of the fair's opening. As the art world keeps evolving, TEFAF Maastricht continues to broaden its scope and match the rate of acceleration. More than just a marketplace, it’s where centuries-old masterpieces meet contemporary makers. For those who can't make the trip, rest assured that any number of highlights will be on view in the globe's leading institutions this time next year.
