Forty of the most prominent international fine art dealers in the world will again gather at the Park Avenue Armory for the 16th annual International Fine Art Fair , May 1st-5th, 2009. Oprah Winfrey, Jon Bon Jovi, Steve Martin and Harrison Ford are among the high-profile private collectors who visit this celebrated showcase, one of New York’s much-anticipated Rites of Spring. Despite the recessionary gloom, art dealers remain optimistic that the consistently high-calibre of works of art on offer will again pull-in serious international buyers and museums curators to the fair.
The International Fine Art Fair features over 700 years of fine art under one roof and remains the only “high end” fair in the world devoted solely to paintings, drawings and sculpture. The variety of works of art on view span the centuries, from the early Renaissance right up to contemporary. Exhibitors from the USA and Europe take part in the fair annually, enriching it with their own particular speciality. In recent years the vitality of the American paintings market, including American 19th and 20th century art has been reflected in the fair by an increase in the participation of some of the most eminent American art dealers in the business.
While The International Fine Art Fair offers much that is of museum-quality, it also has a much wider appeal. This is also an ideal hunting ground for the new collector with a limited budget but looking for a quality purchase. Prices start at under $1000. At the upper end of the scale prices may rise to in excess of $10m, but irrespective of price tag, vetting means that the fair provides the most reassuring purchasing environment. Every exhibit is vetted for quality and authenticity before it can be offered for sale. The vetting committees provide an essential service at the fair, examining each and every work of art, their distinguished membership including specialists from both the museum and commercial art worlds.
Preview Opening for The Frick Collection:
On Thursday, April 30th, the fair hosts a glittering Gala Preview to Benefit The Frick Collection, 6-9 p.m.
Frick Information: 212.547.0706 or email: [email protected].
General Fair hours and information:
11 a.m to 7:30 p.m. daily
Sunday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
$20 Admission
Information: (212) 642-8572. www.haughton.com
