While it is still in progress, we are sharing some reflections and images from TEFAF—the largest and most prestigious art and antiques fair in the world.
As usual, the fair does not disappoint, featuring 273 of the finest dealers and galleries from 21 countries. Now in its 37th edition, TEFAF never stopped (a part from during the COVID-19 pandemics) and despite the armed robbery it suffered in 2022.
Alongside the traditional sections dedicated to Old Master paintings, antiques, and classical antiquities—which make up roughly half of the fair—visitors can also explore modern and contemporary art, photography, jewelry, 20th-century design, and works on paper, together with rare books.
We visited TEFAF this year during the preview days and heard a lot of Italian spoken. Many of the gallerists, although now based elsewhere, are Italian, as are many of the exhibited artworks. A significant number of visitors were also Italian, particularly during the preview, which is mainly attended by museum directors, art professionals, and very wealthy collectors.
Over 400 institutions sent representatives, including directors, curators, and patron groups. However, surprisingly, there were hardly any Italians on the vetting committees. Out of approximately 200 experts employed for the vetting and listed on TEFAF’s website, we counted only about 10 Italians—just 5%. This raised several eyebrows.
This year, a special guest at TEFAF is the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, now directed by Eike Schmidt, former director of the Uffizi in Florence (Schmidt left and ran for mayor of Florence in the last elections, representing the center-right coalition).
Capodimonte is presenting an exceptional selection of paintings by some of Italy’s most revered artists and sculptors, including Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Artemisia Gentileschi, Giovanni Paolo Panini, and Giambologna.
The artworks available for sale at the fair are of comparable significance.
Among the standout pieces, one of the most striking is a newly discovered and exquisitely executed cast of Michelangiolo Buonarroti’s Crucifix, possibly made in the workshop of Guglielmo della Porta (Porlezza, 1515 – Rome, 1577). This cast is one of the finest surviving bronze versions of this composition, with others housed in prominent churches, public collections in Spain, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
What made this particular exhibit remarkable was that it was displayed alongside a portrait by Velázquez of Mother Jerónima de la Fuente, in which she is depicted holding this very same crucifix. Velázquez deliberately referenced Michelangelo’s crucifix in his portrait of Jerónima, an extraordinary woman who embarked on a fifteen-month journey across Mexico and the Philippines to establish nunneries.
Seeing these two artworks displayed together enhances their significance, demonstrating artistic influence and cultural exchange in practice. The crucifix is priced at €1.8 million, while the painting is not for sale.
There is art to suit every taste, and within hours of opening, major sales were reported—underscoring TEFAF’s importance as a key moment in the global art market.
The Virgin at Prayer by Michael Sweerts (Brussels, 1618–1664), was already sold on the first day by Salomon Lilian (Netherlands) to a Dutch foundation for approximately €3.5 million. This painting is extraordinarily original in its composition and highlights Sweerts’ inventiveness and erudition. Interestingly, it was recently sold at Christie’s for £1.734 million. While the dealer clearly made a significant profit, they also invested in research. A book detailing the scientific study of the painting was available at the stand for prospective buyers.
Some of the other sales reported on the very first day include:
Caretto & Occhinegro (Italy) sold The Entombment of Christ by Maarten van Heemskerck to a public institution, with an asking price of €500,000.
Colnaghi (UK) sold three works to private collectors:
- Saint Anthony of Padua with the Child Jesus by José Risueño
- A Bowl of Figs with Hazelnuts by Giovanna Garzoni
- Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius by Guglielmo Della Porta
- A fourth work, Virgin of the Immaculate Conception by Luisa Roldán (La Roldana), has been reserved for a U.S. museum.
On the second preview day, many more sales were signaled by red dots.
Some of the paintings still available included a Van Gogh for €7 million
and Goya for €7 million
And a Klimt for €15 millions.
The most expensive painting by far was a Picasso, on sale for €50 millions
Here is a very personal selection of more paintings available for sale:
