These are the highlights of TEFAF

From 14 to 19 March, TEFAF takes place, a cornerstone of the international art world for decades. The fair offers

TEFAF takes place from March 14 to 19, a cornerstone of the international art world for decades. The fair offers an unparalleled spectrum of quality and expertise in the fields of fine and decorative arts. MASTERS will be present at the preview in Maastricht and highlights some of the highlights – not only of the exhibition floor, but especially of everything the surrounding city has to offer.

With 276 prestigious dealers from 24 countries this year, TEFAF serves as a showcase for the finest artworks currently on the market. The fair spans no less than 7.000 years of art history, set against the beautiful backdrop of historic Maastricht. Moreover, TEFAF is a major driving force for the local economy and the city's cultural life. The setup of the fair alone requires approximately 50.000 man-hours. More than 150.000 fresh flowers are used to decorate the exhibition hall. For hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops in Maastricht, the fair invariably means a period of peak activity. In addition to the traditional domains of Old Master paintings, antiques, and classical antiquities, TEFAF also offers a broad platform for modern and contemporary art, photography, jewelry, 20th-century design, and works on paper. Don't miss: the stands of Van de Weghe (with work by Picasso and Basquiat, among others), Galerie Boulakia (including Marc Chagall and Etienne Assenat), Librairie Clavreuil, Helmut H. Rumbler (including Rembrandt), DelaMano Old Masters (including Striptease by Nacho Criado), Galerie Van den Bruinhorst with Rietveld's Architectural Visions (including the Zigzag Chair and One-Piece Chair), Danish designer Margrethe Odgaard, Friedman Benda with work by Formafantasma, and Vanderven Oriental Art from 's-Hertogenbosch. Some highlights spotted by MASTERS during the preview days:

Dora Maar, Portrait of Pablo Picasso, 1936, Pastel on paper, 57,5 x 45 cm

The surrealist photographer Dora Maar met Pablo Picasso around 1935, after which a relationship developed that was of great significance, both romantically and artistically. She taught him darkroom techniques, while she herself resumed painting and drawing. This portrait of Picasso from 1936 shows how she explored his plastic visual language.

Margot McKinney, Collier 'Flower', 2024

This necklace by Margot McKinney features 8 exceptional tourmalines (including one of 65,85 carats) and 27 large Australian South Sea baroque pearls of 15-20 mm, with a rare pearl of 21 x 32 mm. Furthermore, white and brown diamonds, pink, blue, and purple sapphires, pink tourmalines, amethysts, and rubellites. An ode to lush floral traditions.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Self-Portrait Frowning, 1630, Etching, 7,3 x 6,2 cm

One of the four etched self-portraits from 1630 in which Rembrandt uses his own face to explore various emotions. This early print features rich contrasts and a refined plate tone that lends an atmospheric depth. The ink has been carefully wiped from the face, allowing the sharp interplay of light and shadow to accentuate the dramatic expression.

Arnulf Rainer, Cross with diagonal fingers, 1986, Oil on wood, 203 x 124 cm

In the 1980s, Arnulf Rainer explored the cross, working with overpainting, expressive gestures, scratches, dark areas, and finger-applied paint. These works exude an existential tension, in which themes such as spirituality, death, and inner struggle intertwine.

Gerrit Th. Rietveld, Aluminum Side/Table Chair, Circa 1950, 'One-piece chair', 79 × 80 × 60 cm

This aluminium chair, for use as an occasional or dining chair, was designed by Gerrit Rietveld in the 1950s. Although he is best known for the Rietveld Schröder House and the Red-Blue Chair, he also explored furniture formed from a single folded sheet of material. Only two examples of this tall aluminium chair model are known.

Rembrandt Bugatti, Deux Léopards Marchant, Circa 1911-1924, Bronze 22 × 72 × 11 cm

This bronze sculpture with a brown and black patina depicts two walking leopards. Deux Léopards Marchant, of which 27 examples are known, shows how keenly and instinctively Bugatti observed animals and how he managed to capture not only their anatomy but also their energy and liveliness.

Birdcage vases, Circa 1700, Porcelain with lacquer work, metal, wood and papier-mâché 52 × 36,5 cm

These rare Japanese Arita porcelain 'birdcage' vases (only 23 examples are known worldwide) have a trumpet shape with flared rims and are decorated with peony tendrils in underglaze blue, handles in the shape of elephant heads, and a richly gilded lacquer cage containing porcelain pheasants on a rock.

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