Can Tefaf Maastricht keep up with the experience economy?

"Looking at old art gives me a sense of craftsmanship, of what can be achieved with paint. There is nothing comparable with Tefaf. The atmosphere of quality is unmatched. Contemporary art collectors are discovering value in historical works and the fair's curatorial standards, representing a potential shift in how different collector demographics engage with art across temporal boundaries."

The 39th Tefaf Maastricht fair showcases exceptional historical objects including Monet paintings, Egyptian artifacts, medieval maps, and Mughal automata. The fair attracts predominantly older, male collectors despite broader market challenges. Only 3% of art dealers now specialize in Old Masters, the traditional focus of Tefaf, which closed its New York fair for older art in 2021. Simultaneously, contemporary art sales by artists under 40 have declined for three consecutive years. However, contemporary collectors increasingly visit Tefaf, drawn by its unmatched quality and craftsmanship. Some younger artists create works inspired by Old Masters, suggesting potential crossover appeal between historical and contemporary art markets.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events