Art Basel's flagship fair opened in Basel, Switzerland, running through June 21 with 290 galleries from 43 countries. The fair introduced a new policy asking dealers to withhold 'Art Basel Exclusive' works until opening day. Among the standout artists are Leoncillo, an Italian sculptor whose estate is now represented by Thaddaeus Ropac after decades of family disputes, and Helen Frankenthaler, who has works at multiple galleries and is the subject of a major exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel.
This article matters because it highlights how Art Basel remains the pinnacle of the global art market, setting trends for gallery representation and collector behavior. The focus on Leoncillo's estate joining a major gallery and the reappraisal of women abstractionists like Frankenthaler reflects ongoing shifts in the market toward rediscovering overlooked artists and securing their legacies.