La art fair in Maastricht (TEFAF) has opened its doors this weekend with strong early sales on the preview days that welcomed an elite audience of museum representatives, experienced collectors, and art world personalities, as indicated by the organization in a press release.
«We are very pleased with the trust shown by both collectors and institutions. The level of works exhibited this year is exceptional, and the response confirms TEFAF Maastricht’s role as the main destination for collectors looking for the best in art, antiques, and design,» stated TEFAF Maastricht director, Manon van den Beuken.
Among the early sales, highlights include the works on paper from the William Weston Gallery (UK) which had pieces by Joan Miró, Man Ray, Marc Chagall, Raoul Duffy, René Magritte, Jean (Hans) Arp, Karel Appel, Warhol, and Picasso.
Also, the Salomon Lillan Gallery (Netherlands) sold the piece ‘The Virgin in Prayer’ by Michael Sweerts to a Dutch foundation for around 3.5 million euros. For a slightly lower amount, the Bijl-Van Urk Masterpaintings Gallery (Netherlands) sold for over a million euros ‘Landscape with Riders on a Path’ by Albert Cuyp.
On the other hand, the Colnaghi Gallery (UK and Spain) has sold three works to private collectors: ‘Saint Anthony of Padua with the Infant Jesus’ by José Risueño; ‘A Bowl of Figs with Hazelnuts’ by Giovanna Garzoni; and ‘Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ by Della Porta. A fourth sale, ‘Virgin of the Immaculate Conception’ by Luisa Roldán, known as ‘La Roldana,’ has been agreed upon with an American museum.
The Spanish gallery Débora Elvira has managed to sell a gold pendant to the State Museum at the Royal Wawel Castle in Krakow for a price of 15,000 euros, and a private collector acquired a liturgical embroidery from the 16th century.
MODERN, CONTEMPORARY, AND ANCIENT ART
As for modern and contemporary art, the international White Cube gallery has recorded strong sales on opening day, including works by Georg Baselitz, Imi Knoebel, and Man Ray for a million dollars, 325,000 euros, and 310,000 euros, respectively. In addition, Marianne Boesky (United States) sold the Edward Hopper piece for 2.85 million dollars.
This year’s fair features 273 exhibitors from 22 countries, presenting works spanning over 7,000 years of art history: from ancient masters and contemporary masterpieces to design and jewelry, ancient art, and works on paper.
Among the ancient art and painting, highlights include ‘The Virgin and Child with Mary Magdalene’ (1555-1560) by Titian; a landscape by Marie Bracquemond; a still life of flowers by Paul Gauguin; ‘The Dog Shearer’ by the Belgian Jan Stobbaerts; a landscape by Aelbert Cuyp; a portrait painted by Mary Beale, and an oil painting by Emma Soyer, which Colnaghi will exhibit in their booth.
Additionally, the public can view an Indian tradition battle scene from the late 16th century; a watercolor, ‘View of Givet’ by Turner; a painted wallpaper by Jules Desfossé, and a drawing by Jacques Dumont, called ‘Le Romain,’ documenting the preparations for the fireworks held in the Piazza Navona in 1729 to celebrate the birth of the Dauphin, son of Louis XV.
Among the contemporary art, there will be an ironic composition by Ai Weiwei inspired by ‘Atalanta and Hippomenes’ (according to Guido Reni); an acrylic by Salah Elmua; ‘Interior with Girl at a Window’ by Peter Ilsted; ‘Marine Idyll’ by Alberto Savinio; a work by Rover Thomas Joolama in the Australian Aboriginal tradition; ‘Princess with Hookah’ by Juliana Seraphim, among others.
A PORTRAIT BY VELÁZQUEZ, ON DISPLAY BUT NOT FOR SALE
This edition is marked by the portrait Diego Velázquez made of Mother Jerónima de la Fuente, exhibited at the fair by the London gallery Stuart Lochhead, although sources from the Ministry of Culture assured Europa Press that the painting was not for sale.
It is a piece that has a temporary export certificate, so it has been taken out of Spain –where it has a private owner– but when the exhibition ends, it must return.
If the owner wanted to sell ‘Portrait of Mother Jerónima de la Fuente,’ they would have to request authorization from the department led by Ernest Urtasun, who would also have to assess the situation if a new buyer wanted to take the canvas out of Spain.
The ‘Portrait of Mother Jerónima de la Fuente’ is one of the first life-size portraits conceived by Velázquez of the nun Jerónima, known in Baroque Spain for her devotion, penance, and travels around the world: setting sail from Cádiz, she crossed the Atlantic to found a convent in Manila, the first in the Far East. In the painting, the protagonist is depicted standing against a dark background, looking directly at the viewer.