It has been five months since I attended my first art fair, Art Basel Paris, in October 2025. Still dazzled by that experience, I decided it was time to visit another of the so-called ‚Big Three’—Art Basel, TEFAF, and Frieze.

Since Maastricht, the host city of TEFAF, is located so close to the German border, arriving by train was incredibly convenient. The short journey made for a very smooth and comfortable start to my visit.

What I had heard in advance was that TEFAF is significantly more exclusive, with an average price point per artwork of around €100,000—surpassing almost all other major fairs. Spoiler alert: it certainly lived up to its reputation.

My unfiltered first impression

Following the VIP and invitation-only preview days, I arrived at the MECC early on March 16th, just as the fair opened to the general public. What struck me first was the sheer number of people already queuing for the security check. The fact that the screening process was reminiscent of airport security immediately underscored the high-stakes nature of the event.

The second thing I noticed was how impeccably dressed the visitors were. By that, I mean that casual attire—such as pullovers or caps—was the rare exception. This sartorial elegance contributed to the overall feeling that everything at TEFAF was of the highest caliber.

How the fair was structured

The comprehensive floor plan clearly detailed the fair’s layout. By far, the three largest categories were Old Master paintings, antiques, and Modern & Contemporary art. These were complemented by specialized sections dedicated to works on paper, ancient art, design, and high jewelry.

Tucked into nearly every corner, you could find a spot for gourmet refreshments. As you might have guessed, these were far from your standard concessions; instead, visitors could choose between a specialized oyster bar, a sophisticated wine bar, or even a sushi bar.

Comparision with Art Basel Paris

While Art Basel Paris focused exclusively on Modern and Contemporary art, TEFAF featured an extraordinary breadth of disciplines. This diversity makes TEFAF a superior destination for discovering the unexpected; it’s a place for encountering rarities and historical treasures that you might otherwise never have the chance to see.

At TEFAF, Modern and Contemporary galleries accounted for roughly one-third of the fair, with actual contemporary works representing an even smaller fraction. This means you will find very few emerging artists; instead, the aisles are filled with the heavyweights of art history, including icons like Picasso, Warhol, Richter, and Miró.

Surprisingly, the overlap between galleries showing at Art Basel Paris and TEFAF was remarkably small. From what I recall, there were no more than ten galleries—perhaps even fewer—exhibiting at both. While all the so-called ‚mega-galleries‘ had a major presence at Art Basel Paris, only White Cube could be found at TEFAF as well.

A Personal Perspective

Ultimately, perhaps fairs like Art Basel and TEFAF are not meant to be compared. They don’t compete with one another, nor do they need to. Each follows a distinct philosophy and serves a different purpose within the art world—and that is exactly what makes them both well worth visiting.

Seeing the same art and the same galleries at every major fair would be disappointing, but with TEFAF, that is simply not the case. Its program is truly unique, providing a refreshing mix of diverse artistic disciplines that you won’t find anywhere else.

The premium nature of the fair applies to both the admission prices and the artworks themselves. I observed that pieces valued above one million euros generally no longer display a price tag; when a price is visible, it typically ranges anywhere between €100,000 and €900,000.

The accessibility of Maastricht makes TEFAF an attractive destination for Central Europeans. As for me, the fair has thoroughly convinced me of its value; it certainly won’t be my last visit.

TEFAF is open at the MECC, Maastricht, until March 19, 2026.

I had the pleasure of attending the fair on Monday, March 16, 2026.