Thoughts on Maastricht Fair’s Future as Old Master Appeal Fades

On Thursday I wrote about some of the fantastic art I saw at the European Fine Art Fair, called TEFAF or, simply, “Maastricht” by connoisseurs, collectors, and art professionals. The experience is like ray after ray of sunshine casting light on our dank, dark world. TEFAF is now in its 37th year as the world’s grandest art fair. I’ll write about a few surprises and pick one or two more of the best but, mostly, I’ll muse on whither goest this bit of Arcadia.

Next month — April 15 — is the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist Salon, a commercial and critical flop but, still, the radical art fair that changed French art, which means European and American art. There’s little birthday fuss over it today. At TEFAF, I saw only two first-rate Impressionist things. Wildenstein offered Two Anglers, by Monet, a small and signature Impressionist scene of everyday life from 1882. It’s soothing and expertly dabby, and the aerial view gives it some spice. It’s lovely.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

On Thursday I wrote about some of the fantastic art I saw at the European Fine Art Fair, called TEFAF or, simply, “Maastricht” by connoisseurs, collectors, and art professionals. The experience is like ray after ray of sunshine casting light on our dank, dark world. TEFAF is now in its 37th year as the world’s grandest art fair. I’ll write about a few surprises and pick one or two more of the best but, mostly, I’ll muse on whither goest this bit of Arcadia.

Next month — April 15 — is the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist Salon, a commercial and critical flop but, still, the radical art fair that changed French art, which means European and American art. There’s little birthday fuss over it today. At TEFAF, I saw only two first-rate Impressionist things. Wildenstein offered Two Anglers, by Monet, a small and signature Impressionist scene of everyday life from 1882. It’s soothing and expertly dabby, and the aerial view gives it some spice. It’s lovely.