The third edition of Art Basel Paris, held in the newly renovated and magnificent Grand Palais, features 195 leading galleries from 42 countries. The fair aims to enhance its French representation while embracing its international character, highlighting works from diverse artists. The mood at this year’s most-hyped event is upbeat.
Led by director Clément Delépine, the third edition is structured across three sectors: Galeries, where exhibitors present their full programs; Emergence, dedicated to emerging galleries and artists; and the new Premise sector, encouraging singular curatorial presentations. Additionally, the fair introduces a new initiative named Oh La La!, where galleries present rarely exhibited, unusual, and thought-provoking works.
This edition marks the first full-scale, fully branded Paris edition since the MCH Group, owned by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems, took over France’s main art fair in 2022. MCH, which also runs shows in Hong Kong, Miami Beach, and Basel, previously held smaller events under the name Paris+ par Art Basel near the Eiffel Tower.
A contemporary art collector praised the 19th-century atmosphere of the Grand Palais, noting its contribution to Parisian grandeur. For 47 years, Paris’s fall art fair was known as FIAC (Foire internationale d’art contemporain), a French-centric event that faced criticism from major exhibitors for failing to attract enough international collectors.
At the entrance, Gladstone Gallery showcases a monumental Dubuffet alongside works by Sarah Lucas and Marisa Merz, celebrating Arte Povera. Pace Gallery’s “Mystical Sugar,” curated by Paulina Olowska, features installations with pieces by Louise Nevelson, Kiki Smith, and Lucas Samaras.
At White Cube, Julie Mehretu’s Insile (2013) sold for $9.5 million. Inspired by locations like Iraq, the piece reflects on the aftermath of the Arab Spring, transforming into what Mehretu describes as “story maps of no location.”
Lisson Gallery saw significant sales with Colombian textile artist Olga de Amaral’s works, including the acrylic tapestry Lienzo 29 (2001) for $350,000 and the gold-leaf wall work Viento Oro (2014) for $800,000.
Blum Gallery sold out its solo booth of Asuka Anastacia Ogawa by afternoon, with prices ranging from $22,000 to $160,000. Nearby, Eva Presenhuber’s presentation of new works by Tschabalala Self also sold out early, with prices between $175,000 and $320,000.
Jeffrey Deitch highlighted lesser-known artists, showcasing works by Myrlande Constant and Ella Kruglyanska, alongside pieces by Judy Chicago and Rammellzee in anticipation of his upcoming NYC show.
PPOW sold all Grace Carney pieces priced between $30,000 and $40,000, along with a hand-painted tablecloth and porcelain vases by Ann Agee, which fetched $14,000 to $18,000.
MASSIMODECARLO had a successful day, selling 25 pieces, including a Matthew Wong painting from the estate and works by Salvo, Dominique Fung ($36,000), Jean-Marie Appriou, and Tomoo Gokita.
Galerie Cécile Fakhoury presented Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien’s works made from organic materials, with tapestries priced from €22,000 to €60,000. Ortuzar Projects reported strong sales, including a series of six new paintings by Takako Yamaguchi, each priced at $300,000.
Juliette Roche’s works sold well at Galerie Pauline Pavec, with Femme allongée (c. 1930) for €80,000 and Fillette au noeud (c. 1930) for €18,000. Jesse Darling, the 2023 Turner Prize winner, made waves with his sculpture VANITAS (2024) at Sultana’s booth.
The Emergence sector at Art Basel focuses on solo presentations by emerging artists. At Petrine, young French artist Pierre Allain sold three of his Passive Lens sculptures for €3,000 each. At Mennour, Bertrand Lavier’s Boulevard Haussmann, N°3 (2013) sold for €130,000, showcasing swirling brushstrokes that blur painting and sculpture.
Several galleries featured pieces by lesser-known artists at more accessible price points. One collector highlighted the fair’s new Premise section, which emphasizes historical works by neglected artists. Among the showcased pieces were raw homoerotic artworks by a pioneer of underground comics in Spain, with prices starting around €2,700. Nearby, a haunting bread sculpture by a young German artist was priced at €8,000, though reports of sales in that area were less robust.
