BRAFA 2024: Surrealism Focus and Strong Sales at Brussels Art Fair
The 2024 edition of BRAFA Art Fair opened at Brussels Expo from January 28 to February 4, with previews on January 26-27. The fair featured 132 exhibitors and honored the 30th anniversary of Paul Delvaux's death and the centenary of the Surrealist Manifesto. The Delvaux Foundation was guest of honor. A rare original copy of André Breton's Manifesto of Surrealism was offered by Librairie Lardanchet at the stand of the Belgian Antiquarian Booksellers' Association for €25,000. Gallerists reported strong sales, with Robertaebasta of Milan calling it the strongest opening in years. Highlights included a monumental sculpture by Max Ernst priced at €2.6 million, a Lucio Fontana work from 1967 at €240,000, and a René Magritte painting previously owned by Marcello Mastroianni. The fair emphasized eclecticism and quality across more than two dozen collectible categories. Notable exhibitors included Dalton Somare of Milan, Samuel Vanhoegaerden Gallery, Boon Gallery, Stern Pissarro Gallery, Willow Gallery, Van Wanroij, Douwes, Galerie Von Vertes, Galerie de la Béraudière, Repetto Gallery, Richard Saltoun, and Romigioli Antichità. Prices ranged from €5,000 to €2.6 million. The fair highlighted the strong Belgian collector base, known for its knowledge and risk-taking.
Key facts
- BRAFA 2024 ran from January 28 to February 4, 2024, at Brussels Expo.
- 132 exhibitors participated in the fair.
- The fair commemorated the 30th anniversary of Paul Delvaux's death and the centenary of the Surrealist Manifesto.
- The Delvaux Foundation was guest of honor.
- An original copy of André Breton's Manifesto of Surrealism was sold for €25,000.
- Robertaebasta of Milan called the opening the strongest in years.
- A Max Ernst sculpture was priced at €2.6 million.
- A Lucio Fontana work from 1967 was offered at €240,000.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Delvaux
- André Breton
- Tom Wesselmann
- Giacomo Manzù
- Piero Dorazio
- Turi Simeti
- Umberto Mariani
- Anna Weyant
- Asger Jorn
- Henri Matisse
- Karel Appel
- Jean Dubuffet
- Nicolas De Staël
- René Magritte
- Giorgio De Chirico
- Salvo
- Jagoda Buić
- Ewa Pachucka
- Max Ernst
- Lucio Fontana
- Sophie Mavroudis
- Antoinette d'Ansembourg
- Francois de Coninck
- Kapwani Kiwanga
- Meryem Bayram
- Guy Rombouts
- Erwin Blumenfeld
- Josef Hoffmann
- Victor Horta
- James Ensor
- Armand Eeckels
- Halewijn Lievens
- Hubert Bonnet
Institutions
- BRAFA Art Fair
- Brussels Expo
- Fondation Delvaux
- Librairie Lardanchet
- Belgian Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (CLAM)
- Robertaebasta
- Dalton Somare
- Samuel Vanhoegaerden Gallery
- Boon Gallery
- Stern Pissarro Gallery
- Willow Gallery
- Van Wanroij
- Douwes
- Galerie Von Vertes
- Galerie de la Béraudière
- Repetto Gallery
- Richard Saltoun
- Romigioli Antichità
- Artribune
- BRAFA
- Paul Delvaux Foundation
- CENTRALE for contemporary art
- BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts
- Fondation CAB
- Musées Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire
- Jewish Museum of Belgium
- Comics Art Museum
- iMAL
- Frieze
- Vogue
- Life
- Harper's Bazaar
- NU architectuuratelier
Locations
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Milan
- Italy
- Knokke
- London
- UK
- Dommelen
- Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- Lugano
- Rome
- Legnano
- Paris
- France
- Fregene
- Singapore
- Geneva
- Brussels Expo
- CENTRALE
- Place Sainte-Catherine, 45
- BOZAR
- Rue Ravensteinstraat, 23
- Fondation CAB
- Rue Borrens 32-34
- Musées Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire
- Parc du Cinquantenaire, 10
- Jewish Museum of Belgium
- Rue des Minimes, 21
- Comics Art Museum
- Rue des Sables, 20
- iMAL
- Quai des Charbonnages Koolmijnenkaai, 30
- Saint Paul de Vence
- Berlin
- Germany
- New York
- United States
- Canada
- Venice
- Georgia