TEFAF

Spanning centuries of tapestry-making, the presentation by De Wit Fine Tapestries at TEFAF Maastricht 2026 juxtaposed historic craftsmanship with modern design. At its center was "A Tree of Life", a monumental wool and silk tapestry dating from c. 1540–1560. Its richly detailed composition centers on a verdant tree whose branches, leaves, and flowers fill the surface, framed by borders of intertwining flowers and fruit. Unidentified coats of arms suggest that the work may have been conceived as a genealogical Tree of Life, likely commissioned for a lady. Drawing on the Tree of Jesse, it symbolizes ancestry, continuity, and the prophetic lineage of Christ. Centuries later, Alexander Calder transformed the medium through his unmistakable visual language. "Serpent Vitrail" was woven by the Pinton workshop in Aubusson in wool and synthetic thread, translating Calder’s dynamic forms into textile. A Tree of Life c.1540–1560 Wool and silk Alexander Calder "Serpent Vitrail" c.1970 Wool and synthetic thread, Edition 4/6 Photo by Maison Rowena. #TEFAF #TEFAFMaastricht

An exceptional double-sided work by Peter Paul Rubens, combining a drawing and a handwritten letter on a single sheet, has been acquired by the King Baudouin Foundation at TEFAF Maastricht 2026. Presented at the fair by Day & Faber Master Drawings, the rare sheet dates from September 1607, during Rubens’ formative years in Italy. Following its acquisition, the work has been placed on long-term loan to Rubenshuis Antwerp. On the front, Rubens spontaneously sketched three men in classical robes, thought to be studies for apostles. On the back is the artist’s handwritten draft of a letter in Italian to fellow painter Cristoforo Roncalli, known as Il Pomarancio. The letter references their patron Eleonora de’ Medici, Duchess of Mantua, and offers insight into Rubens’ role within the artistic and diplomatic networks of the period. Surviving drawings and letters from Rubens’ Italian period (1600–1608) are particularly scarce, making the combination of these two expressions of the artist’s hand on a single sheet especially significant. Together, they offer an intimate view into both his creative process and his activities as an artistic adviser. The work is now on view at the Rubens Experience in Antwerp until the end of November. Peter Paul Rubens "Three Men in Traditional Robes" (front) Rough draft for a letter (back) 1607 Pen and brown ink on paper Rubenshuis (on long-term loan from the King Baudouin Foundation), public domain #TEFAF #TEFAFMaastricht #Rubens

Two 17th-century Chinese export porcelain tankards, acquired by the GuWei Museum from Vanderven Oriental Art at TEFAF Maastricht 2025, reveal a layered history of cross-cultural exchange between China and Europe. Modeled after tankards commonly used in the Dutch Republic, these luxury objects were made in China for European patrons, combining a distinctly European form and function with Chinese porcelain and decoration. While prized by their Dutch owners for their material and craftsmanship, the Chinese stories and symbolism depicted on the tankards would likely have carried meanings unfamiliar to them. Now on view at the GuWei Museum in Hong Kong, the works join the institution’s growing collection of export objects from the Age of Exploration. Discover the journey of these remarkable works and the histories embedded within their decoration. Read the full story via the link – https://bit.ly/4xEq5r6 Image: Tankard “Snelle” and Tankard with Silver Mount Photo by Jitske Nap.

TEFAF is pleased to announce landmark multi-year agreements securing the long-term homes of TEFAF Maastricht and TEFAF New York. These renewals secure TEFAF Maastricht at MECC Maastricht through 2036 and TEFAF New York at the Park Avenue Armory through 2031, extending the fairs’ longstanding relationships with their host venues and reaffirming TEFAF’s commitment to both cities. TEFAF Maastricht 2027 will take place March 13–18, with March 11 and 12 by invitation only. TEFAF New York 2027 will take place May 14–18, with May 13 by invitation only. Read the full press release via the link: https://bit.ly/4AndTOf Photo by Jitske Nap. #TEFAF #TEFAFMAASTRICHT #TEFAFNEWYORK

Presented by Paul Ruitenbeek Chinese Art at TEFAF Maastricht 2026, this imperial carved lacquer cabinet showcases the remarkable level of craftsmanship achieved by the imperial workshops of the Forbidden City during the Qianlong period (1736–1795). The panels are carved in high relief with scenes of Immortals and children in a garden setting within a mountainous landscape, surrounded by symbols of longevity, including peaches, immortality mushrooms (lingzhi), and pine trees growing from rocks. Further references to longevity appear on the bottom drawer, depicted by a pair of deer and two cranes. This type of cabinet was intended for display on a kang, a raised platform that functioned as a seat during the day and a bed at night, and would have been used to store precious objects. The Qianlong Emperor presented a similar cabinet to King George III of England as an imperial gift, which is now part of the Royal Collection. Two further lacquer kang cabinets are preserved in the Palace Museum in Beijing, within the Forbidden City. Imperial carved lacquer cabinet Qianlong Period (1736-1795) Carved lacquer Photo by Jitske Nap. #TEFAF #TEFAFMaastricht

For nearly six decades, Kunsthaus Zürich and the Alberto Giacometti-Stiftung have worked together to preserve, research, and present one of the most consequential legacies in modern sculpture. From rare Surrealist works and lifetime bronze casts to delicate plasters and drawings, the collection reveals the breadth of Alberto Giacometti’s practice while tracing the artistic influences and connections that shaped his work and its impact on generations to come. As Kunsthaus Zürich enters a new chapter in the presentation and study of Giacometti’s oeuvre, the partnership offers a compelling reminder: artistic legacy is not simply inherited, but continually shaped through stewardship, scholarship, and care. Read “Sculpting History” on TEFAF Stories via the link – https://bit.ly/4x5UKhH Installation view Kunsthaus Zürich, 2016. Alberto Giacometti "Beyond Bronze. Masterpieces in Plaster and Other Materials" Image courtesy of Kunsthaus Zürich © Succession Alberto Giacometti / 2026 Pictoright, Amsterdam. #TEFAF #TEFAFStories #AlbertoGiacometti #KunsthausZürich

𝗧𝗘𝗙𝗔𝗙 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟲 | We are proud to share that, together with TEFAF, we have reached an agreement that will ensure the world-renowned art and antiques fair remains in Maastricht for the next ten years. Since 1988, TEFAF has brought together collectors, museums, gallery owners, and art and antiques enthusiasts from around the world in Maastricht. Each year, the fair attracts more than 50,000 visitors from 75 countries and hundreds of international galleries. As such, TEFAF is not only a global stage for art and antiques, but also a significant economic driver for Maastricht and the wider region. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/e43-kaHv Provincie Limburg Gemeente Maastricht TEFAF Rob van de Wiel Maarten ten Holder Manon van den Beuken Maxime Magermans Sven Wiertz Frank Mimpen

Created in the thirteenth century, this rare stained-glass panel offers a remarkable glimpse into the origins of Gothic art. Originating from the Île-de-France, the birthplace of the Gothic style, it belongs to the artistic tradition that gave rise to monuments such as Chartres Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle. During this period, stained glass became an essential part of Gothic architecture. More than decoration, it transformed natural light into color, imagery and a powerful expression of the divine, reshaping the experience of sacred spaces. Exceptionally rare for its date and remarkably well preserved, this panel bears witness to a defining moment in Western art, when architecture, color and light came together to create an entirely new visual and spiritual language. Presented by Jaime Eguiguren at TEFAF Maastricht 2026. Stained Glass 1225–1250 Colored glass, cut and leaded Photos by Maison Rowena. #TEFAF #TEFAFMAASTRICHT

In 1906, Georges Braque travelled to L’Estaque, a Mediterranean coastal town whose crystalline light and connection to Paul Cézanne had made it a destination for a new generation of artists. Painted during this first visit, “L’Estaque” captures a pivotal moment in Braque’s artistic development. Presented by Eykyn Maclean at TEFAF New York 2026, the work reveals Braque building upon Cézanne’s innovations in landscape painting. Faceted brushwork, shifting perspectives and the use of color as a structural device transform the Provençal landscape into a dynamic and modern composition. A rare example of Braque’s Fauvist landscapes, “L’Estaque” ranks among the artist’s earliest truly avant-garde works. Its vivid, saturated palette reflects his engagement with Fauvism, while its increasingly structured treatment of form anticipates the artistic developments that would lead him towards Cubism. Georges Braque “L’Estaque” c. 1906 Oil on canvas © Georges Braque / Pictoright 2026 Photos by Jitske Nap. #TEFAF #TEFAFNEWYORK #GEORGESBRAQUE

TEFAF is hiring! The European Fine Art Fair is looking for an Operations Project Assistant to support the preparation and execution of TEFAF Maastricht 2027. Acting as a key point of contact for participants, the Operations Project Assistant will coordinate information, documentation, deadlines, and follow-ups while supporting the Operations team in the lead-up to and during the fair. Learn more about the role and apply: https://bit.ly/3I6HQYN