Thoroughly Modern Tefaf: why the Maastricht fair is embracing the 20th century

"Its broad range of objects that stretch, organisers say, 7,000 years, creates a conversely niche event-there are not many art fairs that do what Tefaf Maastricht does-and the fair is gradually becoming the discerning choice for contemporary galleries with strong 20th-century secondary material."

"Meanwhile, the slower, more deliberate pace of today's art market seems to match Tefaf's sweet spot of Old Masters hits. What could be a better backdrop than Christie's sale of a Michelangelo drawing for $27m in February?"

"It would be more ideal to have a settled team in place, but in the end, the team below [the managing director level] is largely unchanged and it is still a very well-run fair."

Tefaf Maastricht, operating for nearly 40 years, maintains strong market position amid industry volatility. The fair's unique offering spans 7,000 years of art objects, creating a niche appeal that attracts discerning contemporary galleries with strong secondary market focus. The current market's deliberate pace aligns well with Tefaf's strength in Old Masters, exemplified by Christie's $27 million Michelangelo drawing sale. However, leadership instability persists, with the fifth managing director in four years departing after one year. Despite management challenges, exhibitors and dealers report the fair remains well-run, with stable underlying operations and 276 exhibitors maintaining confidence in the event's continued success.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events