TEFAF Maastricht 2012

Since its beginning as The Pictura Fine Art Fair in 1975, TEFAF Maastricht has consistently earned its reputation and is nowadays considered the most prestigious antiques art fair in the world.

The 2012 edition will bring to its visitors genuine masterpieces spanning through several milenia, offered by more than 260 of the world's most prestigious art and antiques dealers from 18 countries.

Over 170 international experts in every field of art represented at the Fair, verify each and every object for quality, authenticity and condition, making TEFAF an opportunity for directors and curators of major museums, as well as for private collectors to acquire some of the finest pieces still in private hands.

TEFAF Maastricht 2012 will be divided in 9 sections: Paintings, Antiques, Modern, Manuscripts, Classical Antiquities, Haute Joaillerie, Design, Paper and Showcase, this last giving the opportunity to recently established galleries to participate in TEFAF Maastricht for one year and to gain experience of being part of an international fine art event.

On Friday morning of March 16, an Art Symposium will be held at the MECC Maastricht, Forum 100, where developments in the art market over the last 25 years will be discussed, as well as a look at its future.
A panel discussion about collecting for love or money, considerations on emotional value and art investment, and financial risks and rewards of investments in art, will also be covered in the symposium.

In 2012, TEFAF Maastricht arts and antiques fair celebrates its 25th anniversary.
A new entrance hall designed specially for the Fair's Silver Jubilee containing a stunning light installation will welcome its visitors and a series of initiatives are taking place during this year.
A special Silver Jubilee book is being produced for TEFAF 2012. This will include interviews with museum curators and private collectors who have bought works at the Fair, some of whom have never spoken publicly before, a history of TEFAF, a look behind the scenes of the Fair and great works of art sold at TEFAF.



TEFAF Maastricht 2012 can be visited from 16 to 25 March 2012, daily 11am - 7pm; Sunday 25 March 11am - 6pm. The regular admission fee is €55 per person (includes one catalogue)

A mobile guide application is available for Android and Apple phones.

TEFAF Maastricht 2011

Considered the world's leading art and antiques fair, TEFAF Maastricht 2011 will offer to its visitors some of the best available fine art, antiques, jewelery, manuscripts and other ancient pieces reflecting 6,000 years of excellence in the applied arts, brought by 260 of the world’s most prestigious art and antiques dealers from 16 countries.

From the paintings of old masters like Bruegel to more recent artists, visitors and collectors will the opportunity to experience in sight the European, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, ethnographic and pre-Columbian art, medieval to modern sculpture, furniture from the 16th century to the 19th century, lavishly decorated documents such as illuminated manuscripts, Egyptian mummy masks, Greek marble statues, Roman coins, precious gems, and vintage watches.
A Modern section will showcase the art from the 20th and 21st centuries which includes works from famous artists including Renoir, Picasso, Poliakoff, Kandinsky, Henry Moore, Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Anish Kapoor, Francis Bacon and Damien Hirst.

Introduced in 2009, the Design section seeks to highlight the twentieth-century design and applied arts from the leading international specialists.

TEFAF Paper was first brought to public in 2010, showing drawings and limited edition prints ranging from Old Masters to contemporary works, antiquarian books and manuscripts, Japanese prints, photography, wallpaper and other works.

A Showcase section, introduced in 2008, offers recently established galleries and dealers the opportunity to participate in the Fair on a strictly one-off basis.

Visitors to the TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) are invited to buy with confidence, every item on view at the fair has been subject to rigorous checks carried out by 29 specialist vetting committees, made up of near 175 internationally respected experts, as to its quality, condition and authenticity. TEFAF Maastricht was also the first to introduce The Art Loss Register at the fair in 2000.

TEFAF Maastricht 2011 can be visited between the 18th and the 27th of March 2011, at the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre).
Cameras, umbrellas, large bags and backpacks are not allowed, and don't carry art or antiques for valuation.
Tickets, fair catalogues and publications can be ordered online.