Presse

Issue No. 5 of the Journal des Antiquaires et Galeries was published on January 17th

This new issue, produced in collaboration with Le Journal des Arts, turns its focus to Brussels, where BRAFA, one of the leading international art fairs for collectors, celebrates its 70th edition by bringing together 130 international dealers in a vibrant atmosphere. It also highlights the 43 SNA members participating in the fair and examines the authenticity guarantees provided by the rigorous vetting process that reviews every work before it is admitted to the fair.

To mark the centenary of the Art Deco movement, the issue also features exhibitions to visit in Belgium and France, along with a selection of exceptional works and objects for collectors.

Editorial by Mathias Ary Jan, president of the SNA

In 2024, we witnessed a significant decline in art market transactions, even highlighting the weaknesses of some major auction houses now facing financial difficulties. Is this a sign that 2025 will mark the end of the speculative era, particularly in contemporary art? Will more classical works of art once again become objects of desire, readily reassuring our civilizations?

I was pondering this as I left the Musée d'Orsay, a place particularly dear to me, on Sunday, December 29th. It was barely possible to move through this vast space, where an immense crowd had gathered to admire the 19th-century masterpieces. I don't think I've ever seen so many people there!

Let's forget the sales statistics of various auction houses, this frantic race for results and performance. Let's focus instead on these marvels created by human hands, vehicles of emotion that unite us. Works of art transcend crises and defy market figures; they are also witnesses to our past, present, and future.

Dealers and antique dealers act as cultural ambassadors, passionate individuals who tell the stories behind the objects displayed in their galleries or at their booths in art fairs.

So, just as you decide to visit an exhibition or a collection, make a New Year's resolution for 2025: come to our ephemeral galleries and museums that are art fairs. In the first quarter alone, there are already many high-quality fairs, such as Brafa (Brussels), Tefaf (Maastricht), and the Salon du Dessin (Paris)...

I wish all the readers of our newspaper a very happy and prosperous New Year. Be amazed by our discoveries. We look forward to sharing some wonderful stories with you!

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