Brussels 26.01.2026 As a barometer for the art market, the opening days of the 71st edition of BRAFA indicate an utmost promising start to 2026. The atmosphere among the 147 exhibitors is exceptionally positive and, during the first three days – by invitation only and reserved for the fair’s most loyal collectors – several major sales have already been finalised.

For her debut at BRAFA, Greta Meert (stand 61) sold three works on the opening night,
including a piece by Belgian artist Edith Dekyndt and a superb Superficie bianca by Enrico
Castellani (2002), acquired for €500,000. It is also a memorable first participation for Mulier Mulier Gallery (stand 21), which has already placed around ten works, including a 1968 Tom
Wesselmann (€80,000) and a Tadashi Kawamata (approx. €10,000). Christophe Boon from
Boon Gallery (stand 34) is proud to announce the sale of a major work by Korean artist Kim
Tschang Yeul between 350.000 and 400.000 €.

At De Jonckheere, several red dots are already visible, notably for a beautiful pair of still lifes by Van Kessel II. Bernard de Leye (stand 149) has sold a spectacular South German ivory
cabinet signed Wilhelm Beuoni Knoll, formerly in the Weber von Treuenfels family collection.
At Klaas Muller (stand 4), President of BRAFA, red dots are also multiplying; as they are on
the stand of Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke (stand 38), who is delighted to have sold not only
an important oil on canvas by Serge Poliakoff but also several more accessible works under
€5,000 to younger collectors – a promising sign for the future.

Galerie A&R Fleury (stand 52) has sold Nuit (1968), an oil on canvas by Maria Helena Vieira
da Silva, as well as a 1959 bronze by Alicia Penalba, Relief japonais, while choosing not to
disclose the sale prices.

BRAFA remains a stronghold for Stone Gallery (stand 5), where minerals and fossils continue
to fascinate collectors of all ages. A Siberian woolly rhinoceros skull, approximately 50,000
years old, was sold on the first day.

Stern Pissarro (stand 25) also reports an excellent start, having sold a beautiful 1917 oil by
Renoir depicting a woman in a landscape. Thomas Deprez Fine Arts (stand 109) confirms its
key role in fin de siècle Belgian art, placing a pair of Victor Horta chairs (1909) for just under
€20,000, an exceptional Serrurier Bovy coat rack for around €30,000, and an alabaster bas
relief, Judith, by Joseph Rulot.

Maison Rapin (stand 16) sold a group of papier mâché botanical models from the Brendel
collection of the University of Namur for between €60,000 and €80,000.
Patrick Derom Gallery (stand 43) has placed a major work by James Ensor, La prêche de Saint
Babylas (1892, primed panel), along with three works by Belgian artist Léon Spilliaert.

At Galerie Alexis Pentcheff (stand 50), Camoin’s La Liseuse au sein nu sold for €40,000. The solo show dedicated to the sculptural work of Eugène Dodeigne at Francis Maere Fine Arts
(stand 46) is also off to a strong start, with a 1958 Idole already acquired.

The fair has only just begun, yet the outlook is already extremely promising. If BRAFA is indeed the barometer of the art market for the year ahead, the message is unmistakably positive. Even in a historically fluctuating context, collectors continue to enrich their collections and find the welcoming, softly lit aisles of this 71st edition an atmosphere that is incredibly conducive to buying art.

After just three days, 25,000 visitors have already passed through the doors of BRAFA,
discovering the new layout, the newly introduced gastronomic hall, and the captivating
scenography. An edition that is clearly set to leave its mark.

Dates and Location
From Sunday, January 25 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday,
January 26, 2026, by invitation only
Evening opening on Thursday, January 29, 2026, until 10 p.m.

Brussels Expo – Halls 3, 4 & 8. Entrance via Hall 4
Place de Belgique 1 / 1020 Bruxelles