The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), a Dutch import, debuted its 12th New York edition on May 9, 2024 at the turreted Park Avenue Armory– a National Historic Landmark to a frenzy of early sales with droves of collectors and museum curators. The fair, which runs until May 14, 2024, is crammed to the gills with 89 dealers hailing from 15 countries spanning four continents.
What distinguishes this fair from that of Frieze New York, the Armory Show, and even the Winter Show is the mélange of cutting-edge contemporary art along with outstanding antiquities, 18th century and later paintings, sculptures, and prized French Mid-Century design by the likes of Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand. Not to be overlooked are the sumptuous jewels of Otto Jacob and jewelry by some 20th century greats, such as Salvador Dali.
This year’s rendition is even more extraordinary in that art dealers are hardly restricted to featuring their offerings in the Armory’s Wade Thompson Drill Hall, whose lofty dimensions are akin to a football field. Elsewhere in the Armory, a bevy of dealers have taken over 16 period rooms on the first and second floors, some 656 square feet with impressive wood paneling and fireplaces. Ultimately, viewing art in a rather grand domestic setting could not be more intimate and elegant.
For those who happen to be in town, TEFAF has organized truly outstanding programming right in line with its stance as a “global collecting community.” Not to be missed is a presentation by collectors Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu who founded the private museum, Magazzino Italian Art, in Cold Spring, New York. Dedicated to their lifelong passion for Italian art, they will share their insight into collecting and launching their extraordinary museum. Other panels are dedicated to new initiatives in art philanthropy, as well as The Frick Collection and the New York Historical Society.
