Confidentiel: A By-Invitation-Only Art Fair Debuts in Paris

A new by-invitation-only art fair, Confidentiel, will hold its second edition from September 18 to 20 at the Hôtel de La Trémoille, a private mansion near the Trocadéro that serves as the residence of the Serbian embassy. The event brings together eighteen established dealers presenting old master paintings, Asian art, African and Oceanic art, rare books, furniture, and design. Rather than traditional stands, the display is designed by scenographer René Bouchara as a walk through the mansion's salons and corridors. Participating galleries include Alexis Renard, Lucas Ratton, Oscar Graf, Costermans, Galerie Neuse, Galerie Jacques Barrère, and Kent Antiques. Access is strictly by invitation from the galleries, aiming to attract collectors and exclude casual visitors. Organizers, including Christophe Hioco, position Confidentiel as an intimate 'off' complement to Fine Arts Paris, which takes place a few days later at the Grand Palais. However, the distinction is nuanced: several exhibitors could easily participate in Fine Arts Paris and target the same collectors, highlighting the ongoing fragmentation of the Parisian art market despite calls for a unifying major event. The fair's first edition was held at the Pagode de Monsieur Loo.