The prestigious FAB Paris art fair is set to return to the Grand Palais from September 20-24, 2025, with nearly 100 galleries showcasing exceptional treasures in what organizers call an ideal positioning for the international art market. Dealers are enthusiastic about the September timing, with many describing it as dream dates for the art world. The Grand Palais, serving as a mythical venue and magnificent showcase, continues to attract both returning exhibitors and notable newcomers including Vallois, Patrick Derom, Marc Maison, Gokelaere & Robinson, and Guillermo de Osma, while welcoming back galleries Didier Claes, Éric Coatalem, Perrin, Mendes, and Sarti.
Louis de Bayser, president of the fair, emphasizes the objective to continue developing the salon across the broadest possible spectrum, from antiquity to contemporary art. This year's edition features a reinvented decor by designer Constance Guisset, the exhibition "Disordered Beauties" conceived by art historian Jean-Hubert Martin for five galleries, and a photography exhibition of artists' studios by Antoine Schneck. These additions invite visitors to open their perspectives and embrace surprise.
The classical arts market faces a compelling paradox as specialists navigate a shrinking market that simultaneously concentrates on the most prestigious pieces, which continue to gain value. Benjamin Steinitz announces plans to reduce the number of furniture and decorative art objects presented, noting that anything not exceptional no longer sells. However, the market remains strong for prestige pieces, provided there are knowledgeable teams to serve demanding clients. Galerie Léage exemplifies this approach by presenting a pair of armchairs by Delaisement from around 1785, whose sculpture quality is described as impressive. Guillaume Léage emphasizes the importance of provenance for collectors, noting that these seats come from the distinguished collection of São Schlumberger, with two other similar pairs existing in a Minneapolis museum and private hands.
Provenance, quality, and presence in museum collections have become indispensable criteria in the ancient art market. These standards are met by the white marble cherub attributed to Germain Pilon presented by Galerie Sismann, reportedly from the tomb of Valentine Balbiani, whose remains are displayed at the Louvre. However, Gabriella Sismann remains cautious, stating that while strong and unpublished pieces always find buyers, the rest remains complicated, with few new collectors entering the market. Bruno Desmarest, director of Galerie Aaron, agrees, adding that in ancient painting, dealers must be precise and present beautiful images that speak to their historical period. He has chosen a grand aristocratic portrait by Robert Levrac-Tournières, a student of Hyacinthe Rigaud, for this edition.
The Clavreuil bookstore, participating in the shared stand "Disordered Beauties," faces different concerns as they seek to meet new audiences unfamiliar with ancient books. Cathleen Robitaille notes that while their domain remains relatively stable, they have experienced fewer impulse purchases in recent years, with collectors taking more time to reflect and often returning after the event. This shift reflects broader changes in collecting behavior across various art market segments.
FAB Paris embraces cultural dialogue by hosting six specialists in non-Western arts and archaeology. From Asia, Jean-Christophe Charbonnier has selected a 17th-century armor created by Noguchi Zesai, a strategist and famous designer of armor for warlords. For pre-Columbian arts, Galerie Furstenberg debuts with a Mayan dignitary figure from Mexico or Guatemala, designed to ornament a temple and priced at €34,000. Galerie Kevorkian, specializing in Oriental and Islamic arts, features a ritual support in the form of a kneeling orant, created in the 3rd millennium BCE in present-day Iran.
African art is represented by returning participants Yann Ferrandin and Galerie Schoffel de Fabry, joined by newcomer Brussels-based Didier Claes within the "Disordered Beauties" exhibition. His Bateba Lobi statue from Burkina Faso creates dialogue with, among other works, an Italian Renaissance volume from Clavreuil bookstore. This current trend of bringing together Western and world arts is further illustrated by the "Future Anterior" exhibition, where Egyptian antiquities from Galerie Arteas coexist with contemporary dreamlike works by Claire Trotignon, presented by Galerie 84.
The 2025 edition confirms the essential place of modern art, an integral part of FAB's identity that offers interesting bridges with other sections including furniture, jewelry, tribal art, and old masters. Among the high-quality choices from exhibitors, visitors will appreciate the Marine by Nicolas de Staël from Galerie de la Présidence, a small marvel about twenty centimeters high that was exhibited last year at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris during the artist's retrospective. Franck Prazan approaches the fair "in a serene and determined state of mind," showcasing Soulages works alongside other great 20th-century names including Dubuffet, Mathieu, Poliakoff, Riopelle, and Vieira da Silva.
As an international reference and essential presence in Art Deco, Galerie Vallois has chosen FAB to celebrate the centenary of the 1925 Exhibition with a museum-quality ensemble of more than twenty masterpieces by Pierre Chareau, Eileen Gray, Pierre Legrain, Armand-Albert Rateau, and Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann from private collections. Galerie Pentcheff contributes to this Art Deco tribute with pieces by Paul Jouve, noted for their timeless line, associated with later works by Bernard Buffet. The diversity of the 20th century unfolds at Galerie Traits Noirs, from Klimt to Louise Bourgeois, including Derain, Miró, Vlaminck, and Picasso.
Contemporary art enthusiasts will discover the current Korean scene at Galerie RX, counterpointed by a sculpture by Christian Lapie. Éric Dereumaux explains that while everything cannot be presented at FAB, a transversal proposition is necessary, noting that collectors demonstrate genuine open-mindedness and great curiosity. A dedicated stand features photographs by Antoine Schneck from the book "100 Artists' Studios Today," to be published this autumn by Courtes et Longues editions.
The centenary of the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts provides an opportunity for Maison Riondet to present Art Deco fine pearl negligee and brooch, while unveiling two historic watches: a 1930s Cartier Tank Cintrée and a 1932 Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Geoffray Riondet emphasizes that Art Deco appeals to all generations and continues to inspire contemporary jewelry. The trend toward colored stones continues with significant prices, exemplified by creator Lydia Courteille launching Pink Panther, an extravagant collection of animal jewelry customized in pink panther skin style, featuring pink sapphires and black diamonds priced between €10,000 and €50,000. Dutch house VKD Jewels, new to FAB Paris, exhibits its Design collections.
Various events punctuate the fair, including an exhibition scenographed by Alexandre Benjamin Navet bringing together 18th-century gems from the Nissim de Camondo Museum. The Young Talents space allows a new generation of dealers to present works under €25,000. Ten major decorators, including François-Joseph Graf, Pier-Luigi Pizzi, and Jean-Michel Wilmotte, will reveal their favorite objects or stands. As each year, an Arts Week offers VIP visits to about twenty partner museums, making this a comprehensive celebration of artistic excellence at one of Paris's most prestigious venues.
