TEFAF Maastricht 2011 Fine Art Fair Highlights

TEFAF Maastricht 2011 celebrates rarities and rediscoveries in its 24th year as the world's most influential fine art air. These are some highlights plus the opportunity to get your questions answered by leading arts and antiques dealers.

TEFAF Maastricht Background: While many art fairs suffered from the global recession, TEFAF actually raised its admission fees in 2008 to keep rising attendance under control. The 2011 art fair expects about 72,000 visitors based on last year's attendance. This success is based on its reputation for dealers bringing their best things. More than 260 art and antique dealers from 17 countries will be exhibiting more than 30,000 rigorously vetted works of art from March 18 to March 27, 2011. From the welcoming banks of flowers at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre to the art itself, TEFAF creates a great visitor experience. The toughest thing may be getting a hotel room unless you book your room for next year when you check out.

TEFAF Maastricht 2011 Highlights: The most exciting rarities and rediscoveries this year include the only fragment of an Egyptian water clock remaining in private hands. It depicts Alexander the Great offering wine to the goddess Hathor. There's also "La Liberte," a rare sculpture by Gustave Courbet that was lost for more than 130 years. In Gandaharan art, a life-size figure of Buddha Dipamkara from the 3rd to 4th century will be on view. One of the highest priced items will be the painting "Architectural Capriccio with a Self-Portrait of Bellotto" which contains one of Bernardo Bellotto's few self-portraits. It's priced at 8.2 million euros.

The popular new section of works on paper introduced last year will return with a special loan from the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam. In recognition of TEFAF's being a hunting ground for collectors, the museum's Managing Director Wim Pijbes is bringing his personal choice of late 15th century prints and drawings with a hunting theme. In economic news, the TEFAF annual report is now available. It describes a change in luxury spending habits that favors "investments of passion" over more frivolous consumer purchases. In the global recession, many collectors seek long term investments in best examples.

For many people, the main attraction of this fine art fair is discussing the works with leading dealers and museum professionals. If you've got a question about arts or antiques let me know, and I'll try to bring you back an answer from TEFAF Maastricht 2011.