TEFAF Maastricht has launched its largest and most international edition to date, less just 3 exhibitors due to coronavirus concerns, with a Preview on Friday and continuing March 7 to 15 at the MECC, Maastricht.

The fair provides collectors with the opportunity to acquire some of the finest works available on the market – in TEFAF Modern Art, Hammer Galleries (Stand 406) will bring to market for the first time in 50 years Three Dancers in Yellow Skirts, c.1891, oil on canvas by Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917). This vibrant painting is an extraordinary example of his pictorial energy in his
later years and depicts Degas’ most famous subject matter – ballet dancers.

Discovery stories continue into TEFAF Paintings – Dickinson (Stand 402) present Paysanne devant une Chaumière (Peasant Woman in front of a Farmhouse), 1885, oil on canvas, by Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890). The work was re-discovered in 1968 at an antique shop in Hampstead, London, England, where the work was acquired for just £45 and subsequently
authenticated as by van Gogh.

Stuart Lochhead Sculpture and Hazlitt have a remarkable stand designed by Yuichi Kodai, showcasing rare works. One, Giovanni Pisano’s Crucified Christ (c. 1270) is a fair highlight. This extraordinary ivory sculpture has never been seen before in public and is considered one of the greatest Italian ivories on the market.

W&K will present leading positions of Austrian psychoanalytical and body-centred art. The pioneering achievements of the artists of Vienna around 1900, in particular of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, had a strong influence on Vienna Actionism and they affect Austrian art until today. An artistic approach picked up in the post-war period, for example in the works by Günter Brus and Otto Muehl. Putting the two generations of artists in context produces exciting insights, as they both had an significant impact on the international art world in their own radically new way of expression. The selection of works is complemented by body-focused works by Franz West and further artistic statements by German Expressionists.  

Dedicated exhibitions can be seen throughout the fair – GALERIA SUR (Stand 526) in TEFAF Modern Art host a special, retrospective exhibition of works by Joaquín Torres-García (1874 - 1949), incorporating paintings, frescos, drawings and toys created by the artist; Stephen Ongpin Fine Art (Stand 724) in TEFAF Works on Paper celebrate the life and works of the
German master draughtsman Adolph Menzel (1815 – 1905). The exhibition ‘A World Caught with the Eye and Held by the Pencil’ will be a rare grouping of works by the artist outside of Germany. Finally, in TEFAF Antiques, H. Blairman & Sons Ltd (Stand 183), mark the 200th anniversary of the Prince Regent’s accession to the throne in 1820 through a dedicated exhibition of ‘Regency’ furniture and works of art illustrating aspects of the extended period that took its name from the Prince Regent.

The 2020 version of TEFAF Maastricht sees an overall increase in the number of participating exhibitors. Reflecting the growing market for modern and contemporary design, TEFAF Design welcomes 5 new participants, 3 of which specialise in contemporary design – Friedman Benda (Stand 627), Carpenters Workshop Gallery (Stand 609) and Galerie Maria Wettergren
(Stand 624). Overall, the 285 exhibitors (5 of which are in TEFAF Showcase) come from 22 different countries, making the 33rd edition of the fair the most international to date.