Italian 20th-century art dominates Frieze Masters 2016

At Frieze Masters 2016, Italian 20th-century art took center stage, with works by Lucio Fontana, Enrico Castellani, Agostino Bonalumi, and others prominently featured. The fair, held in a separate pavilion at Regent's Park, has evolved from a novelty into a stable, sustainable event. It serves as a platform for mega-galleries dealing in high-end secondary market and 20th-century art, which previously had no place at the contemporary-focused Frieze. Many galleries now operate dual stands at both fairs. Hauser & Wirth's stand at Frieze Masters was particularly notable, spanning from Francis Picabia to Tuscan medieval painting, in collaboration with Florence's Galleria Moretti. The fair's atmosphere was described as more composed and elegant than Frieze's informal vibe, with champagne served at the vernissage. The dominance of 20th-century art has marginalized antiques, antiquities, and ethnographic art, though these genres remain represented.