Frieze Masters 2017 Highlights: Cross-Century Curations and Market Trends

Frieze Masters 2017 juxtaposed works from different eras, such as 20th-century sculptures with 1400s still lifes, and Niki de Saint Phalle with Egyptian sarcophagi and Roman masks on 1960s monochrome backgrounds. This approach combats the value gap between modern/contemporary and older art. Curated sections included Spotlight with 21 booths for marginalized Asian, European, and American artists, and Collections by Sir Norman Rosenthal featuring rare objects like annotated books by Constable, Monet, Braque, Picasso, Matisse, Bauhaus teapots, and Andean textiles from 250 BC to 1500. The article reflects on whether Frieze Masters and Frieze London are aging due to predictable highlights. Notable works include Tommaso Binga's 'Ti scrivo solo di domenica' (1977) at Tiziana Di Caro gallery, Kawanabe Kyosay's 'Monks & Alcoytes' (1876) at Israel Goldman, Lynda Benglis's 'November 1973-1974' at Thomas Dane, Nicholas de Stael's 'Paysage en Provence' (1953) at Applicat-Prazan, Anthony Caro's sculpture at Annely Juda, and a Roman marble mask from Sir Philip Sasson's collection at Kallos. The article also mentions exhibitions 'Reflections: Van Eyck & the Pre-Raphaelites' at the National Gallery and 'Matisse in his Studio' at the Royal Academy.