Fair Antiques and Fine Arts in Brussels

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Results BRAFA 2010

Julia Vinogradova · 01/02/2010

One of the oldest fairs in Europe (since 1955-first), BRAFA primarily focused exclusively on the domestic, the Belgian market and was known under the French name of the Foire de antiquaires de Belgique. However, a few years ago she changed her strategy in the direction of international development and has moved from the prestigious, but small in area, Palais des Beaux-Arts building in a former bonded warehouse Tour & Taxis area about 12 thousand square meters. m, and a year ago changed the name.

This year's fair was attended by some 120 galleries, half of which - Belgian. Second-largest - French dealers. Also present were four German galleries, the same number of Spanish and one each from Canada, USA, Portugal and Hungary. Russia on BRAFA was represented by a single party - Ravenscourt Galleries (has branches in Moscow and London). This is one of the few Russian galleries, which is very active exhibition activities abroad - she has already participated in BRAFA 2009 and was exhibited at the Shanghai Fine Arts Fair at Olympia in London.

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During 13 days of BRAFA (from 19 to 31 January) it was visited by 35 thousand people, and at a private screening in the very first night was about a thousand visitors. Despite Napoleon's ambitions of organizers (in the future to compete TEFAF in Maastricht), while the Brussels fair differs not too expensive, more interior design things and more business-like atmosphere. But by the end of fairs around many works have appeared red dots, meaning that these works are reserved, and some stands of even partial change of the display. On the value of works sold by antique dealers do not like to talk, found out only a few figures.

Galleries, engaged in the sale of paintings by old masters, as well as furniture and decorative art from the Middle Ages until the XIX century, this year was noticeably less. Nevertheless, the participants were the largest in this area Brussels gallery De Jonckheere, well known in Moscow (repeatedly took part in the Moscow Fine Art Fair in the Manege) and Paris-Florence de Voldère. Last sold in 1510 BRAFA triptych depicting the Virgin Mary, who was in a private collection in the territory of East Germany, was confiscated by the Soviet authorities and temporarily placed in the Museum of Leipzig. In 1995, the triptych returned to former owners, who now put it up for sale in Florence de Voldère (cost of work not disclosed). Participated in the fair, another famous gallery specializing in old masters and medieval arts and crafts - London Joanna Booth. On its stand were sold to the XVII century tapestry manufactory "Aubusson" for € 13,5 thousand and Alsatian wooden sculpture of the Virgin of € 17 thousand

However, this year's BRAFA is dominated art of XX century, which, despite the crises and recessions, always in demand. Even during the gala dinner, the Parisian gallery Le Minotaure sold several works by the artist of Hungarian origin Fields Kallosa (€ 10-20 thousand), as well as several works of Ivan Puni from the famous series "Harlequins". Major Antwerp gallery Ronny Van de Velde is the first night, managed to sell for € 750 thousand work of James Ensor "The Seven Deadly Sins", the object of Marcel Duchamp «Boîte-en-valise» (€ 150 thousand) and a series of photographs "Mask" by Paul McCarthy (€ 70 thousand). According to the owner of the gallery, the fair was held for him very well: Belgian, French and German collectors purchased at the booth picture of Matisse, Miro, Rene Magritte and the Belgian Symbolist Fernand Knopf. Satisfied with the results and gallery Ludorff from Düsseldorf: its stand buyers have reserved two works by Max Ernst and the two abstractions of Serge Polyakov, as well as a portrait of Emil Nolde (€ 680 thousand). Cloth Pierre Soulage for € 1,2 млн was also booked at the stand of the Paris gallery Pascal Lansberg.

An unusual artifact - painted by James Ensor medical gown - was sold in the first evening on the bench Galleries t'Kint de Roodenbeke. This gown belonged to one of Brussels pharmacists. Once Ensor, someone visiting a friend of artists, suddenly wanted to pick up the brush. A new canvas was found, and gown had to ask in a neighboring pharmacy. As a thank Ensor covered his multi-colored ornaments and signed. Price wonders were not disclosed. "He bought a very well-known Belgian collector - said the gallery owner, Harold de Roodenbek - he does not like to flaunt their purchases.

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