TEFAF New York made a triumphant return to the Park Avenue Armory for its tenth edition, bringing together an enthusiastic crowd of international collectors and art lovers.
From May 10-14, nearly 90 highly-vetted, top-tier exhibitors showcased a wide array of artworks, drawing substantial crowds and resulting in significant sales and museum acquisitions.
Collectors Preview Day
The fair started with a well-attended Collectors Preview Day on May 9, setting the tone for a successful week. Guests included Martha Stewart, Vogue editor Hamish Bowles, Anderson Cooper, celebrity collectors and over fifty museum representatives. This world-class curation is perhaps the hallmark of TEFAF: a vast trove of museum-quality works offered in the uniquely intimate context of the Park Avenue Armory’s drill hall and its carefully-preserved upper rooms. As the evening continued, guests enjoyed servings of Ruinart Blancs de Blancs and Rose champagnes as well as passed oysters (now a TEFAF tradition).
Standout Sales and Exhibitors
Unusual for TEFAF was the volume of relatively newer works on sale at a fair which historically favored the old masters and early modern. Younger tastes are finding favor with contemporary works as well as a strong endorsement of late surrealist works, even those created as late as the 1970s. A market flush with unreleased Picassos have changed the dynamic dramatically, revealing this artist’s favorability and reinforcing some art world conventions and safe harbors of taste. All the while, TEFAF is a bellwether of the art market as a whole, setting the tone for the years ahead. Of impressive sales here are a few that stood out.
Waddington Custot (Booth 316):
- Pablo Picasso: A drawing sold for $890,000.
- Philip Guston: An oil on paper work sold for around $400,000.
- Sculptures by Yves Dana and Barry Flanagan, and a small oil by Peter Blake, each priced around $70,000.
Almine Rech (Booth 322):
- Pablo Picasso: A work on paper ($400,000 – $500,000) and a painting ($1.8 – $2 million).
- Other notable sales included pieces by Brian Calvin ($45,000 – $50,000), Kenny Scharf ($180,000 – $200,000), Claire Tabouret ($95,000 – $100,000), Günther Förg ($60,000 – $65,000), and Genieve Figgis ($80,000 – $100,000).
Kasmin (Booth 201):
- Pablo Picasso’s “Femme et deux hommes sur la plage” (1923) for $175,000.
- Works by Alma Allen, Robert Motherwell, and George Rickey sold.
Spotlight on Female Artists
Female artists garnered considerable interest at the fair, along with a more diverse showing of artists overall. Historically, female European artists have seen less attention than their male counterparts, and many galleries have made a concerted effort to change this narrative to be more equitable and the art market benefits from a more accurate survey of art history.
- Salon 94 (Booth 306) sold three significant works by Rebecca Salsbury James and had several museum reserves.
- Thaddaeus Ropac (Booth 345) saw strong sales with works by Joan Snyder.
Antiquities and Design Pieces in Demand
TEFAF New York 2024 at the Park Avenue Armory. Image: TEFAF.
While plenty of newer works traded hands, collectors showed a keen interest in antiquities, showing that a key part of TEFAF’s original mandate remains in demand.
- Charles Ede (Booth 356) sold nearly two dozen pieces, including a Roman marble cinerary urn ($64,000) and a Roman marble head of Hercules ($56,000).
- Galerie Chenel (Booth 210) sold a Roman Head of Apollo, circa 2nd century A.D.
Design enthusiasts were also active:
- Galerie Patrick Seguin (Booth 331) sold multiple pieces by French designer Jean Prouvé.
- Hostler Burrows (Booth 203) reported sales across ceramics, furniture, and glass, notably an exciting and provocative Otto Schulz Zodiac Cabinet.
Diverse Artworks and New Acquisitions
Exhibitors reported a wide range of sales across various art forms:
- W&K—Wienerroither & Kohlbacher (Booth 308) sold two drawings by Gustav Klimt.
- Edward Tyler Nahem (Booth 321) sold works by Julian Schnabel and Stephen Janson.
- Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art (Booth 368) sold works by Yayoi Kusama, Anselm Kiefer, and Manolo Valdés.
- David Tunick, Inc. (Booth 371) placed several works, including Edvard Munch’s Anxiety (1894).
- BLUM (Booth 305) reported sales of Elaine de Kooning’s Emily 2 (1983) for $190,000 and two works on paper by Yoshitomo Nara ($180,000 each).
David Zwirner (Booth 347) featured works by George Morandi and George Ohr, attracted active interest from several American museums.
Looking Ahead
With TEFAF New York 2024 wrapping up on a high note, the art world eagerly anticipates TEFAF Maastricht, scheduled for March 15-20, 2025. Known as the premier fair for fine art, antiquities, and design, TEFAF Maastricht promises to showcase an unparalleled selection of artworks and exhibitors. Learn more at https://www.tefaf.com/