TEFAF New York opened at the Park Avenue Armory with unexpectedly strong crowds and a buoyant mood, defying the typical afternoon lull. Dealers reported heavy foot traffic and sustained conversations, with gallerist Sean Kelly calling it the best edition in years. The fair, running through May 19, features a mix of antiquities, design, modern, and contemporary art, with standout booths including Alison Jacques’s pairing of Dorothea Tanning, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Gordon Parks, and Sean Kelly Gallery’s display of works by Shahzia Sikander and Sam Moyer. The newly launched Pace Di Donna Schrader Galleries made its TEFAF debut with works by Eugène Delacroix, Willem de Kooning, and Alexander Calder.
This year’s edition matters because it signals a resurgence of collector confidence in the art market, which had been dampened by political and economic uncertainty. Art adviser Ralph DeLuca noted that collectors are shifting from stocks to hard assets like art and antiques. TEFAF’s distinct identity—offering discovery and a slower, more curated experience—continues to set it apart amid New York’s crowded spring fair week, suggesting that the fair’s model remains resilient and attractive even in a challenging market environment.