The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in Maastricht, the Netherlands, which began last Friday and continues through Sunday, March 25, offers up some $1.3 billion worth of art from a wide array of countries and eras. 

Among this year’s highlights are a monumental black marble sculpture by English artist Henry Moore from 1977, priced at $35 million, and a ruby and pearl brooch by Spanish Surrealist Salvador Dalí, in the form of Marilyn Monroe’s lips, going for $45,000.  

An oil on panel painting of the crucifixion, an early work by Old Master Rubens, sold within the first hour, possibly for as much as $3.9 million, and reportedly to Massachusetts collectors Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo, whose collection is currently on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 

The work of the ubiquitous Gerhard Richter was also out in force; both Anthony Meier of San Francisco and Christophe Van der Weghe of New York displayed Richter artworks of various periods. Meier is offering 28 works by the German artist, including “Kleine Strasse,” a 1987 landscape that he bought at a Christie’s auction in London in 2008 for $4.5 million. It sold at the Thursday night preview for $5.6 million, according to the New York Times. 

Also on view are many fine pieces representing the fast growing Asian market; for example, an ancient Chinese caldron from the Eastern Zhou period (770-221 B.C.), offered for $3 million by exhibitor Gisele Croes.

Between 250 to 500 collectors, dealers and other art world figures are expected to make the trip to Maastricht from China. About 70,000 visitors are expected overall.

TEFAF Maastricht began in 1975, and has grown over the years to become one of the foremost art fairs in the world with more than 260 of the world's most prestigious art and antiques dealers from 18 countries represented.