FROM Maastricht to New York and Paris, cities
have their annual antiques and art moments and traditionally in June the focus
is on London.
I have mentioned there are three major London
summer fairs but mercifully, and I do not think the organisers got together and
planned it this way, they are more complementary than competitive.
Olympia incorporates a broad range of dealers
and prices with something for everyone and has long been a mecca for trade
buyers at all levels, Art Antiques London caters for the serious collector and Masterpiece,
while hosting plenty of the world’s very top dealers, has unashamedly gone for
glitz, glamour and sheer luxury.
The third Masterpiece will be held from June 28
to July 4 so more about it in the next Storybook. I bet a talking point will
again be the extravagant and vast purpose-built structure which houses it in
the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, SW3 (see last year’s frontage
above).
But I can reveal the world’s most powerful art
dealer Larry Gagosian, who has 11 galleries worldwide and an annual turnover
reportedly around $1b, will be participating. Not exactly exhibiting perhaps,
but he will have a presence.
I,
for one, am intrigued.