The forthcoming June sales sit amongst a busy schedule for the trade, and collectors, as over the next two weeks I shall be visiting Brussels for BRAFA (NB. No longer at Tour & Taxis but in the NW corner at Heysel) and Maastricht for TEFAF. Both these wonderful fairs deserve to be well attended as they have been through hell over the Covid nightmare. Although I expect both to be smaller than usual I know the the Chairman, Hidde Van Seggelen, will have been working tirelessly to drum up support for TEFAF against the BRAFA upstart. I don’t see why both fairs can’t thrive but the timing could not be more challenging with June already action packed in the art world. My hope is that clients will be happy to travel from Brussels to Maastricht as it is only two hours by car. After the London June sales it will be over to Chelsea for the Masterpiece Art Fair which promises to be one of the best in its history with galleries clambering to offer those pictures that have been caught in the Brexit basket (import taxes to the EU apply since Brexit).
The June sales look strong, and I like that the offerings are well curated with the sales as tight (aka small) as I can recall for a major season’s offering. Perhaps the houses are envisioning a stronger showing of works in Paris and Germany following Brexit. Highlights aplenty but my personal favourites are the large Yves Klein at Christie’s, the ‘Elegy’ Hepworth at Sotheby’s and the de Stael Sailing boat at Phillips. All in all, there will be something for everyone. Please have a peruse of the sales and let us know if we can help with anything. Always use an advisor when spending significant funds – there are many, many pitfalls when buying at auction!
Christie’s, London, 20th/21st Century Evening Sale: 28th June at 2pm BST
Christie’s, London, Impressionist & Modern Art Day & Works on Paper Sale: 29th June at 1pm BST
Phillips, 20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale: 29th June at 1pm BST
Sotheby’s, London, British Art: The Jubilee Auction: 29th June at 5pm BST
Sotheby’s, London, Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale 29th June at 6pm BST
Sotheby’s, London, Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale 30th June at 12pm BST
Phillips, 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale: 30th June at 4pm BST
Christie’s, London, Post-War & Contemporary Art Day Sale, 1st July at 1pm BST