The city of Maastricht, in the Netherlands, hosts today, March 14th, and until the 19th, the 39th Art and Antiques Fair of the European Foundation for Fine Arts (TEFAF), with the participation of 7 Portuguese-speaking galleries.

In total, around 270 galleries from 24 countries participate in what is considered one of the largest and most prestigious global events dedicated to the art and antiques market.

Among the participants are three Portuguese galleries — Jorge Welsh Works of Art, Galeria São Roque and PAB/Aguiar Branco — and four Brazilian galleries: Fernando Jorge, Luciana Brito, Nara Roesler and Gomide & Co.

The presence of these galleries reinforces the cultural and historical weight of the Portuguese-speaking world in the international art scene, at a fair that annually brings together collectors, curators, museum conservators, antique dealers and specialists from all over the world.

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Over the past few decades, TEFAF Maastricht has become one of the leading international venues for the presentation and sale of works of art of great historical and artistic value. The event features objects spanning centuries of history and multiple civilizations.

Among the works presented are paintings, sculptures, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, photographs, manuscripts, rare books, historical jewelry, and design objects, spanning periods from antiquity to contemporary art.

The fair also serves as an important meeting point for professionals in the sector, including museum directors, curators, auction houses, private collectors and cultural investors, and is considered a world reference in validating the authenticity and quality of the works presented.

Every year, the exhibited pieces undergo a rigorous verification process conducted by international experts before being presented to the public.

TEFAF Focus

In addition to the participating galleries, the fair includes the TEFAF Focus section, dedicated to thematic exhibitions and special curatorial projects. This edition's program includes exhibitions dedicated to abstract expressionism, Scandinavian design, and neoplasticism, as well as shows exploring French realist painting, African modernist ceramics, and American photography.

These sections aim to broaden the dialogue between different artistic periods and offer new perspectives on aesthetic movements that have marked the history of art.

History of the Fair

Organized since 1988 by the European Foundation for Fine Arts, TEFAF Maastricht has become one of the most influential global platforms for the art and antiques market. The event annually receives over 80 visitors, including private collectors, experts, curators, and representatives of cultural institutions from various continents.

Throughout its history, the foundation has also developed initiatives to support cultural heritage. In 2017, for example, TEFAF granted approximately €25,000 to the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon to support the restoration of 17th and 18th-century tiles in the Chapel of the Albertas.

Notable Incident

Despite its international prestige, the fair has not been immune to security incidents. In 2022, a jewelry theft occurred during public visiting hours, generating significant media attention.

At the time, the Dutch channel NRC reported that the value of the stolen items could reach around 27 million euros, although neither the fair's organizers nor the police authorities officially confirmed the amount. The incident led to increased security measures in subsequent editions.

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Among the Portuguese-speaking representatives, three Portuguese galleries stand out with distinct profiles, but linked by the same historical axis: the cultural exchange resulting from Portuguese trade routes. Meanwhile, Brazil is represented by four galleries with a strong presence in the international contemporary art market.

Portuguese Presence

Jorge Welsh Works of Art, founded by Jorge Welsh and Luísa Vinhais, with galleries in Lisbon and London, is internationally recognized for its specialization in Chinese porcelain and art of cultural exchange produced between the 15th and 19th centuries.

The space frequently showcases pieces that bear witness to the encounters between Asian, European, and African cultures during the period of maritime trade routes. In this edition of TEFAF, the gallery also presents works from Japan, India, and Africa, reinforcing the global dimension of the cultural exchanges that marked the history of trade and art.

Another Portuguese presence is the Galeria São Roque, based in Lisbon, which will bring to the event a collection of pieces representative of Portuguese art from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Among the objects on display are furniture and historical ceramic pieces, including an Indo-Portuguese chest, a counter, and a platform table, rare examples of artistic production associated with the Portuguese presence in the East and the trade networks that linked Europe to Asia.

In turn, PAB / Aguiar Branco, with galleries in Porto and Paris, presents works related to the universe of Portuguese maritime expansion and the encounter between civilizations. The collection includes objects produced between the 15th and 18th centuries, in materials such as mother-of-pearl, rock crystal, lacquer and porcelain, demonstrating the aesthetic and technical richness of the objects created in contexts of cultural exchange.

Brazilian Presence

The Fernando Jorge gallery, with locations in São Paulo, New York, and London, is participating alongside Luciana Brito and Gomide & Co, both based in São Paulo.

Also participating is the Nara Roesler gallery, which has spaces in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and New York and has established itself as one of the leading promoters of contemporary Latin American art on the global circuit.

The Brazilian presence reinforces the dynamism of the country's artistic production and the growing appreciation of Latin American art in the international market.