This was our third year exhibiting at the prestigious Masterpiece Art Fair, set within the grounds of the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea, which provides an unparalleled opportunity for new and established collectors to discover exceptional works for sale from international exhibitors. The fair had record breaking attendance this year, with a 25% increase in footfall since last year and an extremely high quality of art, design, furniture and jewellery, from antiquity to the present day.
The entrance to the fair this year was in collaboration with Lisson Gallery, who presented a set of five alabaster portraits of Marina Abramović, titled the Five Stages of Maya Dance. They have a haunting physical presence but, as you move around the pieces, they break down into intricately carved 'landscapes' of alabaster stone. In comparison to last year's green neon lights of Iván Navarro'sImpenetrable Rooms, it was certainly a dramatic entrance to the fair, as you were channeled through a dark small space, walking tentatively through the haunting face projected on smoke.
As you appeared on the other side you were welcomed by the vast aisles and rows of 150 exhibitors, presenting their highest quality of work. One of the main features of why Masterpiece is such a prestigious art fair is because of the thorough checks on the provenance and quality of the works on display, and this was certainly apparent this year with some exceptional works of art by Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Paul Cézanne, Rene Magritte and many more highly acclaimed artists.
One of our highlights of the fair was the Medici and Westminster Pietre Dure Tabletop (c.1568 – 1577), on display at Robilant + Veona, commissioned by Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and designed by Giorgio Vasari. A rare example of Renaissance pietre dure, the table comprising giant pieces of agate, jasper, lapis lazuli, and other luxurious stones, is one of only three to retain its 16th century appearance with the original borders and the inlaid apron below. The incredible provenance and history of this table, with an estimate of €10,000,000, created excitement from the visitors and interest from museums and collectors at the fair.
Our booth, B49, was located between the beautiful Perrier-Jouët Champagne Terrace, and the new Ivy terrace which was very popular. Our lovely neighbours were Long-Sharp Gallery, who we have worked in collaboration with over the last few years, specifically for a Kenneth Webb exhibition in their gallery space in New York, so it was a pleasure to see them again and admire their impressive collection of Pop Art.
Christopher Peacock, the renowned cabinetry and interior designers, worked their magic again this year, and their bespoke panelling transformed our stand into a beautifully designed space, perfectly complimenting our stunning Impressionist collection. Our magnificent painting of Le Bassin Aux Nymphéas by Claude Monet, painted between 1918 and 1920, looked beautiful on our walls and attracted a lot of attention and was commented on as one of the highlights of the fair.
Our post impressionist collection by Gustave Lousieau, Pierre Eugene Montézin and Paul Madeline were hung beautifully and in particular the three Loiseau paintings, all dated within 20 years, looked exceptional all on display in the same space, and attracted a lot of interest. We have long championed the work of Georges Robin and Alexandre Jacob, who were discovered in the Paris Salon in the years following the Second World War by Herbert Fuller, and we had a beautiful collection on display at the fair. In particular one of Jacob's paintings that was exhibited in the Paris Salon in 1931, with a bowed frame, captivated the viewers with its snowy river banks and tranquil atmosphere.
This year we welcomed clients and friends and we met some wonderful new clients and art lovers who we look forward to working with in the future and helping them grow and expand their art collections. It is certainly an unmissable fair and we look forward to returning next year and exhibiting our growing collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings that we are so very proud to own.