Art fairs are the places where galleries, collectors and museums from all over the world come together. A handful of fairs are regarded as leading. An overview.
Art Basel is the best known of them all. What began in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland, grew into a global brand with editions in Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris. It is regarded as the benchmark for modern and contemporary art.
TEFAF in Maastricht is known for its quality and breadth, from old masters to design and jewellery. Its strict vetting makes it one of the most respected fairs in the world.
Frieze, with editions in London, New York, Los Angeles and Seoul, is strongly focused on contemporary art and young talent. Its sister section Frieze Masters additionally shows historical work.
Other established names are Art Cologne, the oldest art fair in the world (since 1967), The Armory Show in New York and ARCO in Madrid.
For a gallery like Delft Gallery, fairs are a window onto the international market: names are discovered, prices are gauged and works change hands. Many of the finest pieces find their way here to the next collector.