NEW YORK.- The 2008 fair marks the 15th edition of an event for which institutional and private buyers wait all year, such is the range and quality of paintings, drawings, watercolours, and sculpture, from Renaissance gold ground panel paintings through to 20th century Modern art, including a substantial representation of American art.

The International Fine Art Fair remains the only “high end” fair in the world devoted solely to paintings, drawings and sculpture. Exhibitors from both sides of the Atlantic take part in the fair annually. Many are regulars, while newcomers add to the mix, enriching the fair with their own particular speciality. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the participation of American dealers offering American art of the 19th and 20th centuries. Their presence reflects the strength of demand in America for it’s own art works.

The variety of works of art on view span the centuries, from the early Renaissance to late 20th century. Some illustrate how European art, has evolved, becoming increasingly secular after devoutly religious beginnings, with exquisitely executed and invariably rare, gold ground panel paintings. From these early, devotional images, painted perhaps with a Virgin and Child, the fair moves through the centuries to the modern world and the kaleidoscope of images produced in just about every style imaginable in the course of the 20th century by artists on both sides of the Atlantic.

As for the paintings, drawings and sculpture on view, these include traditional scenes, some of which may be highly academic, others more decorative, possibly mythological and allegorical in subject, or perhaps landscapes and cityscapes – views of New York City itself might appear among these. The range of subject matter is enormous and, as we move closer to our own time, its presentation often becomes increasingly abstract and less conventional. Commissions for an important patron, may be seen alongside charmingly informal sketches or even untypical early works before an artist developed a trademark style. Large-scale paintings are offset by small jewel-like oils and watercolours; likewise with sculpture, the museum-destined bronze or marble, alongside a small “maquette” particularly appealing perhaps to the private buyer.

While The International Fine Art Fair offers much that is of museum-quality, it also has a much wider appeal. This is also an ideal hunting ground for the new collector with a limited budget but looking for a quality purchase. Prices start at under $1000 and at the upper end of the scale may rise to in excess of $10m. Irrespective of price tag, every exhibit is vetted for quality and authenticity before it can be offered for sale. Vetting of every item on sale means that the fair provides the most reassuring purchasing environment.

The vetting committees provide an essential service at the fair, examining each and every work of art. Their distinguished membership includes specialists from both the museum and commercial art worlds.

In 2008 The International Fine Art Fair features around 60 dealers from Europe and America. Returnees include: Didier Aaron Inc. (USA, UK & France), Daphne Alazraki Fine Art (USA); ALFA (France); Avery Galleries (USA); Babcock Galleries (USA); Beck & Eggeling International Fine Art (Germany); Nathan A. Bernstein & Co. (USA); W.M. Brady & Co. (USA); Simon Capstick Dale Fine Art (USA); Thomas Colville Fine Art (USA); Connaught Brown (UK); E. & R. Cyzer (UK); Neal A. Fiertag (France); David Findlay Jnr Fine Art (USA); Debra Force Fine Art, Inc. (USA); Galerie du Post-Impressionnisme (Paris); Galerie Berès (France); Galerie Boulakia (Paris); Galerie Taménaga (France & Japan); Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts LLC (USA); James Graham & Sons (USA); Richard Green (UK); Guarisco Gallery (USA); Hawthorne Fine Art (USA); Hill-Stone (USA); Linda Hyman Fine Arts (USA); Lowell Libson Ltd (UK); MacConnal-Mason Gallery (UK); Martin du Louvre (France); John Mitchell Fine Paintings (UK); Moretti (Italy, UK & USA); Mark Murray Fine Paintings (USA); Neffe-Degandt (UK); Jill Newhouse (USA); Owen Gallery (USA): Gerald Peters Gallery (USA); Questroyal Fine Art, LLC (USA); Schillay Fine Art, Inc. (USA); Schiller & Bodo European Paintings (USA); The Sladmore Gallery (UK); Lawrence Steigrad Fine Arts (USA); Stoppenbach & Delestre Ltd (UK) ; Hollis Taggart Galleries (USA); Abby M. Taylor Fine Art (USA); Vincent Vallarino Fine Art Ltd (USA); Tom Veilleux Gallery (USA); Waterhouse & Dodd (UK); Whitford Fine Art (UK); Adam Williams Fine Art Ltd (USA).

New exhibitors in 2008 include: Clarke Fine Art (USA) with American Impressionist paintings; Fine Art Gallery – Jean Paul Perrier (Spain) with 20th century European art; FraMonT (USA) with Impressionist and Modern works of art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries; Galerie Normand (France) with 19th and 20th century (mainly French) paintings; Heinley Fine Arts (USA) offering 19th century French paintings; Kendall Fine Art (USA) join with American and European paintings; McColl Fine Art (USA) with 19th and 20th century American and European paintings; MME Fine Art LLC (USA) with American and European paintings 1800-1940 and Piacenti Art Gallery (Italy) with European paintings and sculpture 1300-1800. In addition, Old Master paintings dealer Maison d’Art (Monaco) return to the fair this year; Potterton Books (UK) with a selection of in-print and out-of-print books from their diverse selection; Vallejo Gallery (USA) join with maritime and marine themed art.

Preview Opening for The Frick Collection: Thursday 8th May when guests can enjoy a special private view of the fair before it opens to the public the following morning.