Can Tefaf Maastricht Keep Up with the Experience Economy?

The 39th Tefaf Maastricht fair opened, showcasing high-quality pre-20th century art and antiques, from Monet paintings to a 1st-century Egyptian vase. However, the fair faces an existential question about the relevance of older art in a market where Old Masters specialists are declining and contemporary art sales are volatile.

The fair matters because it is a major marketplace where top international museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquire significant works. Tefaf is strategically balancing its historic core with more modern art to stay relevant, serving as a crucial meeting point for the global art trade and institutions, despite shifting market trends.