BRUSSELS.- Since being established in 2011 by dealers specializing in Old Master painting, Paris Tableau has gradually built up a reputation through the fairs it has organized annually at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. Bringing together the most prestigious specialized galleries, the fair has forged an identity that is recognized both in France and abroad. It has become an essential occasion in the calendar for all lovers of Old Master painting throughout the world.

International in Ambition
After being the guest of the Biennale des Antiquaires at the Grand Palais in September 2016, Paris tableau has decided to explore new horizons and to turn towards the international stage. For its first event abroad, its choice is Brussels. This European capital, which has become an economic crossroads, lies within a terrain that has a rich tradition of collecting and many connoisseurs of the old Masters. The fair will be held in the heart of the city in the magnificent spaces of the Patinoire Royal [royal skating rink] a listed monument of the 19th century.

Well known galleries
To guarantee the quality of the works exhibited and the comfort of visitors, the 2017 edition of Paris Tableau has yet again reasserted its desire to retain an intimate format. The fair will reunite 22 dealers from all over Europe. These include those faithful from the start, the Parisian galleries Didier Aaron, Canesso, Leegenhoek, Talabardon & Gautier, and also de Jonckheere, de Boer from the Netherlands and the English gallery Charles Beddington. new exhibitors will also be joining Paris Tableau such as Colnaghi and the Spanish dealer Ana Chiclana. For its first edition in Brussels, three Belgian galleries will be honoured, Lowet de Wotrenge, Costermans and Jan Muller.

From the Middle Ages to 1900
These 22 international galleries specializing in European Old Master paintings are exhibiting exceptional pictures, ranging from the Middle ages to the 1900s. The greatest names will hang side by side on the walls of their booths.

The Low Countries will be especially honoured with exceptional works such as the Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Jacob Grimmer exhibited by de Jonckheere and the magnificent still Life by Johannes Bosschaert at Costermans, and of course Jéroboam Punished for Adoring False Gods by Jacques Ignatius de Roore on Franck Baulme’s booth. Another work not to be missed is an early composition by Jacob Jordaens with Talabardon & Gautier who discovered the double male nude study which may have been used to prepare a Forge of Vulcan; an Allegory of the Three Ages of Man by Jacob de Backer and his studio with Lowet de Wotrenge, we should also note a Still Life of Fruit and Flowers by David de Coninck with Ana Chiclana and, at Kunsthandel P. de Boer, The Construction of the Tower of Babel, by Marten van Valckenborch.

Looking towards Italy, the Grand Canal of Venice painted by Canaletto’s father, Bernardo Canal is with Charles Beddington and The Bay of Naples seen from a Terrace in Mergellina by Frans Vervloet presented by the Galerie Jacques Leegenhoek are also highlights. another must see is an Allegory of the Arts by Mattia Preti with Giacometti, a Mary Magdalen at the Tomb of Christ by Antiveduto Grammatica with Maurizio nobile, an Abduction of Europa by Luca Giordano with Porcini and a moving St. Jerome by Ludovico Mazzanti at the Galerie Canesso.

The French School appears on the booth of Michel Descours, with an oil on canvas by Jean Daret showing a battle scene designed for a decorative scheme, and also at dDdier Aaron with a spectacular view of an Eruption of Vesuvius painted by Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, and at the Galerie Terrades, where a powerful Self-Portrait as Virgil by Henri Martin can be seen.

Less frequently shown schools are also highlighted such as the Spanish School with a painting on gold ground by Pere Cabanes unveiled by Jan Muller, and the German School with the Fall of Phaeton by Johann Heiss offered by Lullo-Pampoulidès.

Events connected with the History of Art
From the start, Paris tableau has adopted a cultural approach beyond its commercial purpose by organizing events relating to the history of art every year, in this way it has proven that it is the only fair in the world specializing in Old Master painting.

For this 6th edition, an in focus exhibition on Jacques-Louis David’s exile in Belgium and the studio he established in Brussels will complement and shed light on the dealers’ work.