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283 art galleries at Art Basel Miami

From December 6 to 8, 2024, the Miami Beach Convention Center presents a new edition of one of the most important art fairs in the world.

Source: Art Basel · Image: Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 · Courtesy Art Basel

Art Basel is delighted to announce the participating exhibitors and first details of its 2024 edition in Miami Beach, taking place from December 6-8, 2024 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Led for the first time by Bridget Finn, Art Basel’s stalwart fair in the Americas will host 283 galleries from 34 countries and territories presenting the best of their world-class programs, including 32 first-time participants, marking the fair’s biggest cohort of newcomers since 2008.

Reflecting the fair’s singular position at the geographic and creative nexus of North and South America, Art Basel Miami Beach will showcase historical rediscoveries and bold, contemporary proposals from leading galleries in the Americas as well as premier international exhibitors whose programs attend to artistic production in the region. Nearly two-thirds of exhibitors at this year’s show hail from the Americas, representing the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and Uruguay – a testament to Art Basel’s mission to platform artistic excellence in the region and to support discovery and generative collaboration between regional and international art scenes and markets.

Exhibitors from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina will join the Miami Beach fair for the first time. Newcomers from the United States come from Florida, New York, California, Illinois, Texas, and Oregon, alongside several galleries from Canada. From Europe, the fair will see an expanded presence of newcomers from Spain, Portugal, France, and Poland, with Romania being represented at the show for the first time. There will also be a significant showing of new joiners from Asia, hailing from China, Singapore, and South Korea, with a first-time presence of Indonesia at the Miami Beach show.

A significant increase compared to recent years, 25 galleries will enter the show’s main sector, Galleries, for the first time this edition. This comes after the introduction of a new minimum-size booth option aimed at creating a more accessible and equitable starting point for small and mid-size exhibitors entering the main sector of the show. Galleries furthermore benefit from the fair’s sliding scale pricing system, whereby galleries with a larger booth pay more per square meter than galleries with a smaller booth. Adopted in 2019 and implemented across Art Basel’s four fairs globally, the linear sliding scale system was created to ensure a more level playing field for galleries across all segments of the market. Five galleries have also opted to share a booth at this year’s show, a model introduced by Art Basel in 2019.

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BY ALBERT CHEN

A rare portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson by the relatively obscure Italian artist Leonardo Guzzardi (1798-1800) has astounded the art world by selling for £94,380 ($120,000) at Bonhams Old Master Paintings auction in London on December 4. This result far exceeded its initial estimate of £6,000–£8,000 ($7600–$10,200), achieving over 15 times the anticipated value.

The striking portrait, painted in 1799, depicts Nelson in full naval dress, complete with the sash of the Order of the Bath, standing aboard a ship with a naval engagement unfolding in the background. Guzzardi’s work, long overshadowed by other depictions of Nelson, is notable for its raw and realistic portrayal of the war hero, emphasizing his battle scars and weathered appearance. The sale highlights not only Guzzardi’s rediscovery as an artist but also a growing trend among collectors showing heightened interest in works by lesser-known Old Masters.

Guzzardi, believed to have been associated with the Neapolitan Court during its exile to Palermo, captured Nelson in one of his most defining moments as a naval leader. While many artists of the time idealized Nelson, Guzzardi opted for a more candid approach, preserving the admiral’s humanity alongside his celebrated status. The dramatic backdrop of a naval conflict amplifies the historical gravitas of the piece.

This surprising sale underscores a shift in art investment trends, where collectors are increasingly seeking unique and historically significant works by overlooked artists. Guzzardi’s painting exemplifies this movement, demonstrating that even relatively obscure figures can command significant attention in today’s market. The portrait’s remarkable price is also a testament to the enduring fascination with Nelson, one of Britain’s most revered naval commanders, and the timeless appeal of Old Master artworks.

The auction result at Bonhams New Bond Street confirms a strong appetite for rediscovered gems and suggests that the allure of Old Masters, even from lesser-known artists, is gaining momentum in the art market.

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The post Obscure Artist Stuns Auctioneers: Leonardo Guzzardi’s Portrait of Lord Nelson Sells 15 Times Estimate appeared first on World Art News.

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