Niru Ratnam

The rise of the art fair – and the death of the small gallery

In the age of the ubiquitous art fair, traditional private galleries are becoming an expensive loss-leader

The sharp end of the art market: an Aleksandar Duravcevic sculpture at the Cologne Art Fair [Getty Images/Shutterstock/iStock/Alamy] 
issue 17 May 2014

In 1967, two Cologne-based gallerists came up with the Cologne Art Market — a trade fair where German galleries could set up temporary gallery-style spaces for a few days to showcase their stock. The following year, three dealers in Basel copied the idea but opened up their event to international galleries.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in