TEFAF Reveals Highlights Preview – Arts & Collections

The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) has revealed a special preview of 43 works that will appear at TEFAF Maastricht, taking place from March 14th–19th, 2026, with an invitation-only preview on March 12th and 13th. This “First Look” highlights the extraordinary appeal of TEFAF Maastricht as a premier destination for private collectors, museum curators, art market professionals, and passionate enthusiasts.

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Gaetano Gandolfi
The Expedition of the Argonauts, Circa 1770, Oil on canvas, 50 x 76 cm 
PRESENTED BY FONDANTICO DI TIZIANA SASSOLI (STAND 362) 

Gandolfi’s The Expedition of the Argonauts depicts a dramatic maritime scene in which a warrior is lowered from a ship onto a rocky island. The painting illustrates the legendary voyage of the Argonauts, the 50 heroes who sailed aboard the Argo in pursuit of the Golden Fleece. Drawing on narratives by Apollonius of Rhodes and other ancient Greek authors, Gandolfi captures the tension and adventure of this iconic myth, combining dynamic movement, turbulent seas, and heroic figures to evoke the peril and grandeur of one of Greek mythology’s most celebrated expeditions. 

Giuseppe Bonito
The Painter’s Studio ,1738-40, Oil on canvas, 168 × 235 cm

This painting depicts a workshop scene in which the artist, poised at his easel like a performer, demonstrates his craft to an attentive audience. At the right, a distinguished gentleman — identified by De Dominici as a “military” figure — sits with a cane and sword, observed respectfully by clerics and attendants, while young apprentices assist the master. The artist holds a silverpoint or crayon holder and a drawing featuring a reclining Hercules, possibly referencing the Farnese statue, as a guide for his work. The composition, set within a well-appointed studio with hanging earthenware and a large lamp, suggests an important commission, with the principal patron highlighted in white and yellow.
PRESENTED BY GALERIE CANESSO (STAND 360)

Moïse Jacobber
Pair of mounted vases

Pair of mounted vases from the Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Sèvres, presented in 1845, by King Louis-Philippe I, to His Highness Abbas Pacha (1813-1854), future Viceroy of Egypt. 1844-45, Hard porcelain and chiselled and gilded bronze, 82.5 × 45 cm.
PRESENTED BY STEINITZ GALLERY (STAND 212)
This magnificent pair of “Cordelier” vases (3e grandeur) exemplifies the brilliance of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Sèvres in the mid-19th century. Lavishly adorned with garlands of flowers and fruit painted by Moïse Jacobber, the vases combine virtuoso floral decoration with a commanding form created in 1805. Their spectacular bronze handles, modelled with Dionysian masks inspired by antiquity, harmonise with the opulent painted surface, uniting classical references with refined Romanticera craftsmanship.
PHOTO COURTESY PAUL STEINITZ.

Carlo Zen
Rare double body cabinet with showcase

Rare double body cabinet with showcase, 1902, Walnut wood, nacre inlays, gold, silver, brass threading, 220 × 102.5 × 36 cm
PRESENTED BY GALLERIA ROSSELLA COLOMBARI (STAND 508)
This rare double-body display cabinet by Carlo Zen exemplifies his mastery of Italian Liberty, merging the sober elegance of the Lombard tradition with Art Nouveau refinement and subtle Japanese influences. Crafted in walnut with mother-of-pearl inlays and brass stringing, its elongated proportions and harmonious balance of solids and voids convey modern sophistication. The cabinet showcases Zen’s exceptional craftsmanship and stands as a rare, refined testament to his distinctive decorative language.
PHOTO COURTESY CRISTOPHER GHIOLDI .

Spectrum

As a cornerstone of the global art world, TEFAF Maastricht presents an unrivalled spectrum of quality and expertise across the fine and decorative arts. The fair is a celebration of 7,000 years of art history, set against the historic and picturesque city of Maastricht. This year, it brings together 276 dealers and galleries from 24 countries across five continents, offering an unparalleled experience for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

The works included in this First Look have not yet undergone formal vetting at TEFAF New York, this will occur onsite at the fair. The organisation assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or omissions in the information provided about these art objects.

For relevant information regarding TEFAF Maastricht, please visit www.tefaf.com.

See also: Lillian Bassman at the Met

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