In an extraordinary departure from convention, Gagosian Gallery has been granted special permission to showcase a 17th-century Old Master painting at Art Basel Paris, breaking the fair's traditional focus on modern and contemporary art. The prestigious gallery will present Peter Paul Rubens' "The Virgin and Christ Child, with Saints Elizabeth and John the Baptist" (circa 1611-14), marking a rare exception to the fair's usual post-20th century artwork requirement.
With only 206 galleries competing for attention under the Grand Palais' iconic glass roof, standing out at Art Basel Paris requires bold strategies. While some dealers might opt for eye-catching sculptures or unconventional displays, Gagosian has chosen to rewrite the rulebook entirely. The Flemish master's oil on panel work, measuring 48 by 38 inches, was most recently sold at Sotheby's New York in 2020 for just over $7 million.
"Art Basel Paris gave Gagosian the green light to break the mold in recognition of the painting's exceptional quality and its resonance with other modern and contemporary works in our booth," the gallery stated. The decision required extensive deliberation, with an Art Basel spokesperson confirming that "following discussions within the Art Basel management team and approval from Art Basel Paris Selection Committee, Gagosian has been exceptionally authorized to present [the Rubens work]."
While the fair's main sector typically restricts exhibits to works created between 1900 and 2025, there is precedent for earlier pieces in specialized sections. The Premise sector, comprising nine distinct curated presentations, was specifically designed to include pre-1900 artworks. This year, for instance, Parisian gallery Pavec will showcase works by French Impressionist Marie Bracquemond from the late 1800s.
The Rubens painting carries significant art historical importance. According to Sotheby's 2020 catalog entry, renowned connoisseur Ludwig Burchard declared it "the prime version of this popular subject" upon viewing it in the early 1950s. Another version of the composition hangs in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum's permanent collection in Madrid, with Gagosian describing its own version as comparable in quality.
Gallery founder Larry Gagosian explained his personal connection to the period, telling ARTnews: "I have great affinity for Old Masters and Rubens in particular, which goes back at least 30 years, when I organized an exhibition of works by the artist at my New York gallery." He referenced his 1995 exhibition "Peter Paul Rubens: Oil Paintings and Oil Sketches" at his 980 Madison Avenue location. Gagosian noted a "renewed interest in the period, particularly when I think of artists like John Currin, Jenny Saville, Anna Weyant, and Glenn Brown, where there is clearly an inspiration."
The Rubens masterpiece will be displayed alongside contemporary works by John Currin, Jadé Fadojutimi, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Jenny Saville, and other influential postwar and contemporary artists. "In the context of our booth, and the spectacular Beaux Arts architecture of the Grand Palais, I felt the Rubens would resonate and be a treat for the audience in Paris," Gagosian added.
While surprise artworks at art fairs aren't uncommon, they typically comply with established guidelines. Last year's Art Basel Paris saw Hauser & Wirth present Kazimir Malevich's 1915 "Suprematism, 18th construction," which had previously sold at Sotheby's in 2015 for $33.6 million. The work proved to be a major draw, and the Swiss mega-gallery later confirmed to ARTnews that it had sold for a similar figure.
Similarly, at this year's Art Basel in Switzerland, Hauser & Wirth headlined its booth with a mesmerizing Mark Rothko from the early 1960s that wasn't featured in any pre-fair promotional materials. As gallery co-founder Iwan Wirth explained to ARTnews, "There's only so much you can see on a screen—nothing replaces the moment you stand in front of a work in real life."
Art Basel Paris will open its doors to VVIPs on Tuesday, followed by VIP preview days on Wednesday and Thursday, giving collectors and art enthusiasts their first opportunity to experience this unprecedented fusion of Old Master craftsmanship with contemporary artistic vision.
