The 63rd annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is happening over this weekend at the Park Avenue Armory. Almost 200 exhibitors are showcasing rare books, first editions, maps and atlases, manuscripts, illustrated books, and so much more. It's a treasure trove for bibliophiles. I spoke with the founder of London-based Shapero Rare Books, Bernard Shapero. Among the highlights of the booth are 530 hand-colored plates illustrated book The Birds of Asia by John Gould, 1850-1883, Selectarum stirpium Americanarum historia by Nicolai Josephi Jacquin, 1780, Album of watercolors of flowers, fruit and silkworms [Chinese School] from the collection of the 5th Duke of Marlborough, and a hand-written letter by J.R.R. Tolkien. The fair runs April 27-30. New York, NY April 28, 2023
Tag: antique
TEFAF Maastricht 2023
This March, TEFAF Maastricht edition returned in full force with 270 exhibitors in its original time slot (last year, it happened in June due to COVID). The fair mainly features antiques, but there is also a modern and contemporary section. This time, I spent more time at the fair and spoke with several galleries, a small sampling of each. Molly Dorkin Taylor of Dickinson Gallery, Alexandre Pingel of Pingel Rare Books, Vanessa Wildenstein of Wildenstein & Company Co., and Charles Geoffrion of Galerie Mennour gave me an overview of their galleries and the current offerings. I also met officials of the TEFAF organization. Paul van den Biesen spoke about the work of the TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund. And last but not least, I got to talk to the chairman of TEFAF executive board, Hidde van Seggelen. Maastricht March 13-17, 2023
Frieze London 2022
This October, the art crowds are back in London for three art fairs in one - Frieze London, Frieze Masters and Frieze Sculpture. Frieze London is the contemporary art fair. Among my highlights are: Anthea Hamilton's Giant Pumpkins, Jeffrey Gibson's solo presentation, Laure Prouvost's multi-disciplinary project, and Estonian kinetic and sound artist Kaarel Kurismaa at Temnikova & Kasela Gallery. Frieze Masters as always showcases museum-quality pieces spanning from antiquity to the 20th century. Frieze Sculpture is a free exhibition set out in the Regent's Park's English Gardens and comprises 19 large-scale works by a diverse group of artists of different generations and backgrounds. London, UK October 12, 2022
BIAF | Florence 2022
My coverage of the 32nd edition of the Florence Biennial International Antique Fair (Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze, or BIAF) takes you to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. About 80 galleries showcase their museum-quality art objects in Palazzo Corsini. I met three galleries representing three discrete periods -- from old masters (Giacometti Old Master Paintings, Naples), to 19th century (Berardi Galleria d’Arte, Rome), to modern (Tornabuoni Arte, Florence). BIAF even ventures into the metaverse with a virtual gallery in collaboration with Ernst & Young Italy. In conjunction with BIAF the city celebrates art by holding the Florence Art Week with a series of collateral events, among them: Olafur Elliason's exhibition "Nel tuo tempo" in Palazzo Strozzi, and Tony Cragg's exhibition "Transfer" in the Museo Novecente. I also had the pleasure of meeting the owner of Fratelli Piccini, the oldest goldsmith on Ponte Vecchio.
TEFAF Maastricht 2022
I am in the Netherlands, for one of the most prestigious fine art and antique fairs – TEFAF Maastricht. There is one in New York, but this is the original, flagship TEFAF fair. After two years, skipped due to the pandemic, the fair returns to MECC to celebrate its 35th anniversary with over 240 exhibitors. The show is impressive -- museum-quality art pieces spanning 7,000 years of art history: paintings, sculpture, tapestries, antique furniture, clocks, fine jewelry... The fair is known for its rigorous vetting process. Sometimes it results in last-minute changes in presentation. And that’s exactly what happened to one of the exhibitors. Here's Marius van Dam of Kollenburg Antiquairs, a Dutch art dealer, with a story of a mislabeled antique cabinet. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the Museum Restoration Fund. Each year, TEFAF provides funding for a restoration of significant artworks. This edition’s award goes to a Dutch museum to restore painting “Poplars near Nuenen” by Van Gogh. It’s one of the most beautiful art fairs. It’s worth a visit! I highly recommend it. Postscript: The show was not without a drama. The day after I left, on Tuesday, there was a jewelry heist. A gang of robbers used sledgehammers to smash open a display case and stole some jewelry. Evidently, the loot is a €29 million yellow diamond necklace stolen from London gallery Symbolic and Chase. Robbers remain at large. TEFAF issued a statement, calling it “an incident.” The fair runs June 25 - June 30.
Greaves Productions 