24.01.2026

BRAFA 2026: An art fair that brings history to life

Building design

BRAFA in Brussels is once again attracting art lovers this year. Photo: © Olivier Pirard

When the doors of Brussels Expo open at the end of January, the international art world will once again be looking to Belgium with great anticipation. BRAFA 2026 is all about exceptional provenances, rediscovered masterpieces and objects whose history is just as fascinating as their aesthetic impact. The renowned fair for art, antiques and design proves once again why it is one of the most important cultural events in Europe.

BRAFA is taking place for the 71st time this year. This makes the fair one of the oldest and most renowned art fairs in the world. What makes this edition special is the consistent focus on works with historical depth. BRAFA 2026 sees itself not only as a marketplace, but also as a stage for stories: of legendary collections, papal elegance, archaeological rarities and visionary private collectors. Each work presented tells of cultural upheavals, personal passions and art-historical turning points.
Another central concern of the fair, which attracts not only collectors but also museum professionals, is the close cooperation with the King Baudouin Foundation. In 2026, the foundation will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and will also be BRAFA’s guest of honor. This award recognizes the long-standing commitment of the foundation and its philanthropists to the preservation of Belgium’s cultural heritage and the promotion of art and culture.

The King Baudouin Foundation

As guest of honour, the King Baudouin Foundation will organize a series of lectures around masterpieces from its collection. Visitors will not only be able to discover inspiring stories behind the Foundation’s stand, but also learn about projects that illustrate the link between philanthropy, heritage, culture and social well-being.
Since its establishment in 1976, the foundation has been committed to strengthening solidarity and building a better world. Today, it brings together 154 funds dedicated to culture, the arts and heritage. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the Foundation has built up a comprehensive collection of over 29,000 works and 31 archives, ranging from archaeological objects and modern art to painting, design, lace and jewelry. Numerous works are on long-term loan to over 100 museums and public institutions to make them accessible to the general public.

At BRAFA 2026, the King Baudouin Foundation will present both new acquisitions and outstanding works from previous purchases, including:

New acquisitions:
– Pol Bury, bangle Boules des deux côtés d’un carré, 1968 – a masterpiece of kinetic art
– Evelyne Axell, L’égocentrique 2, 1968 – a powerful Pop Art work that celebrates freedom and subjectivity
– Brussels Lace in Point de Gaze, 1860-1880

Previous acquisitions:
– Jean-Baptiste Bonnecroy, View of Brussels, 1664-1665
– The silver owl, the oldest known Antwerp work of art made of coconut
– Processional shield of the Procession of the Holy Blood, Bruges 1529
– Cornelis de Vos, portrait of Jan Vekemans, 1624

The foundation will also host the BRAFA Art Talks. Personalities from the art world, curators, museum curators and experts from the art market will share their knowledge in discussions. The Art Talks will take place from January 24 to February 1, 2026, each at 4 pm (with the exception of Monday, January 26). BRAFA 2026 thus not only offers an insight into historical works of art, but also turns the anniversary of the King Baudouin Foundation into a moment of celebration for art, cultural heritage and philanthropy.

Viennese modernism rediscovered

An outstanding example of this year’s BRAFA approach is provided by the Florian Kolhammer Gallery from Austria. Their presentation is dedicated to Vienna’s intellectual and artistic spirit of optimism around 1900, focusing on a spectacular pair of Secession armchairs designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich and executed by Friedrich Otto Schmidt combined with the textile design “Abimelech” by Koloman Moser. These pieces of furniture, originally created for the second Vienna Secession exhibition in 1898, are far more than design icons: They embody the aesthetic revolution of an entire era.

Roman elegance between church and couture

Vagabond Antiques from Great Britain opens up a fascinating dialog between past and present. On display is a pair of Roman neoclassical consoles from around 1770. Once owned by Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli, they later became part of the collection of fashion designer Stefano Gabbana. Siena marble, Breccia Africana and original gilding combine ecclesiastical dignity with secular sophistication – a perfect example of how historical furniture can provide timeless inspiration.

Old masters, premieres and international highlights

The fair also set strong accents in the field of Old Masters. A rare self-portrait by Rembrandt van Rijn was on display at Douwes Fine Art – an impressive work of great intimacy and psychological depth that underlines the fair’s high museum standards.
Hartford Fine Art – Lampronti Gallery presents another outstanding highlight with a work by Artemisia Gentileschi. The Italian Baroque painter is one of the most important female artists in art history today. Her powerful visual language and dramatic use of light make her works sought-after top pieces on the international art market.
Beck & Eggeling, another internationally renowned gallery, is also represented for the first time. Their participation provides new impetus and underlines the fair’s openness to high-caliber newcomers in the exhibitor field.

Archaeological masterpieces

Lovers of antique art will also get their money’s worth. Colnaghi will be presenting a rare Apulian epichysis from the 4th century BC, which once belonged to the famous collection of Eugène Piot. The finely crafted vessel, attributed to the Menzies circle, shows Hermaphroditos and a young woman in an exceptionally detailed depiction. Comparable works can be found in renowned museum collections today – a clear highlight of BRAFA 2026. “Reading Diogenes” by Michaelina Wautier (ca. 1650), whose attribution to the artist was only made in 2024, also deserves special attention – an outstanding work that impressively underlines Wautier’s art-historical significance.
The fair is also aimed at collectors of archaeological and paleontological treasures. Whether antique objects or evidence of the history of the earth and mankind – these disciplines expanded the spectrum of the fair and underlined its interdisciplinary claim.

Focus on Belgian art history

Virginie Devillez Fine Art sets a further accent with a selection from the collection of Belgian art connoisseur Tony Herbert. On display are works by important artists such as Edgard Tytgat, Rik Wouters, Gustave De Smet and Jean Brusselmans. This selection reflects the trained eye of a collector who contributed significantly to the international recognition of Belgian modernism and whose collection is still considered a reference for Belgian art in the early 20th century. In addition, numerous works by Léon Spilliaert can be discovered at the fair, whose symbolist imagery is one of the most striking and at the same time most poetic positions of Belgian modernism.

More than just a trade fair: a cultural experience

However, BRAFA 2026 is not only impressive because of its exhibits. The fair sees itself as a holistic experience. The elegant scenography, culinary offerings in the new Food Hall, champagne bars and a comprehensive concierge service ensure a stay at the highest level. The program is complemented by the BRAFA Art Talks, in which experts, collectors and curators discuss current issues in the art market.
BRAFA 2026 will take place from January 25 to February 1, 2026 in Halls 3, 4 and 8 of Brussels Expo. An exclusive preview day on Monday and extended opening hours on Thursday evening offer additional opportunities to visit the fair.

A must-attend event for art lovers

In the end, it becomes clear that this edition is more than just a presentation of precious objects. BRAFA 2026 stages art as living history and creates connections between past and present. For collectors, experts and visitors interested in culture, it is an unmissable event in the international art calendar – inspiring, educational and full of discoveries.

03.01.2025

Event

Archikon 2023

Building design

The visualization shows a building with an open façade in the background. In front of it is a stream with animals and a green bank. Next to it, people are out and about. — Archikon is looking for new working environments - like this one for the New Bantlinstrasse Urban Space Ideas Workshop, City of Reutlingen. © asp Architekten GmbH Stuttgart (AG with Treibhaus Landschaftsarchitektur, Hamburg - Steteplanung, Darmstadt)

The State Congress for Architecture and Urban Development will take place in Stuttgart on April 19. The event will focus on the topics of “Work – Life – Places: When work changes, places change”. Find out more about the ARCHIKON 2023 congress and the program here.

The 20th century paradigm of the separation of functions still has an impact on urban planning today. Transformations in the work process have an impact on neighborhoods, architecture and the environment. If there is a shift towards a more sustainable economy in the future, this will also have an impact on built structures. For this reason, the State Congress for Architecture and Urban Development chose the theme “Work – Life – Places” for this year’s edition of ARCHIKON. When work changes, places change”. Both the upheaval in the economy and the advancing digitalization demand a statement in architecture. For Markus Weismann, State Board Member of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects and Chairman of the New Working Worlds Strategy Group, this debate is not limited to the redesign of the classic office building: “Against the backdrop of comprehensive structural change, we should be much more concerned with intelligent, networked work on all scales.”

And so, on April 19, ARCHIKON 2023 will set itself the task of questioning existing structures. The aim is to involve all generations in the development of new solutions. The congress will offer a wide range of events to attract a broad audience. On the one hand, ARCHIKON 2023 will take a look at overarching framework conditions. On the other hand, it will also look at individual scale levels in detail. Input from the fields of regional and urban planning as well as interior design, and the examination of cultural, social and professional aspects will provide a comprehensive picture. The program includes debates and presentations in plenary sessions as well as seminars on specialist topics.

An opening dialog will be followed by the Positions seminar series. Ten specialist lectures will be held in parallel to impart the latest knowledge and innovative solutions. Prof. Dr. Alain Thierstein from the Technical University of Munich, for example, will speak on workplaces between urban and rural areas. At the same time, Ulrich Pohl from COBE Architects in Copenhagen will be talking about the interiors of the day after tomorrow. And Ricarda Pätzold from the German Institute of Urban Affairs in Berlin will give a keynote speech on inner cities as places of work.

After the lunch break, representatives from planning, municipalities, science and business will debate the extent to which changing values are affecting the built environment. They will shed light on cultural, economic and technological aspects. The panel discussion will be followed by a second seminar block. This is entitled Reflections. The seminar topics of the morning will be reflected on in discussion rounds following keynote speeches – for example by Beat Aeberhard from the Basel Cantonal Department of Urban Planning & Architecture or Jörn Wächtler from the Adidas company in Herzogenaurach. The group of debaters is diverse. In addition to mayors and business representatives, the discussion group includes university lecturers and planners.

The second seminar block will be followed by a review of the most exciting seminar content. Markus Müller, President of the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects, and Markus Weismann will then give an outlook on professional policy. For the organizers, one thing is very clear with regard to future working environments: “Planners are affected by this change at all scales and have the opportunity to shape the changes spatially.“

Registration for the congress is still open. Participation costs 185 euros for chamber members. A reduced rate is offered for young professionals, students and trainee lawyers.

Also represented as a speaker at Archikon 2023: Andrea Gebhard. Here the Chairwoman of the Federal Chamber of Architects in conversation.

29.11.2024

Industry news

On the trail of Romanesque wall paintings in Westphalia

Building design

detail). The rich ornamental design in the Westphalian style of painting is striking. The apse is decorated with the originally strongly colored

In 2012, the LWL-Denkmalpflege, Landschafts- und Baukultur in Westfalen began a multi-year project which, until 2016/17, focused on art and restoration research into the most important examples of Romanesque wall painting between 1160 and 1270 in Westphalia. A publication has now been released. The need for interdisciplinary cooperation in the research of cultural monuments and their decoration has been recognized for decades […].