Fine Arts Paris: Under the Glass Dome of the Grand Palais

Here I am, strolling under the majestic glass dome of the Grand Palais, where FAB Paris is held in November. The subdued light gives the artworks an almost mystical aura. It’s a world where past and present intertwine, where each piece tells a story, and where every hall reveals a new treasure. The light filtering through the glass roof delicately falls on the protean sculptures, striking portraits, 19th-century paintings, dazzling jewelry, and rare books, inviting a slow and contemplative exploration.

Immersion in Art

Walking through the aisles of FAB Paris feels like a visit to a museum. Many of the works on display have already been exhibited in prestigious institutions, and others have all the qualities to one day grace such places.

“We are delighted to finally invest the Grand Palais, a place of excellence for Parisians as well as art lovers from around the world.” – Louis de Bayser, President of FAB Paris.

Cartier Jewelry

Around a corner, I am dazzled by the brilliance of the jewelry on display. Among them, Cartier’s spectacular creations stand out for their refinement and elegance. Each piece is a work of art in itself, where precious stones sparkle with intensity. The exhibitor confides to me, almost in a whisper, that a particular necklace was commissioned by a famous French actress for a gala evening in Cannes.

Protean Sculptures

From the entrance, my eyes are captivated by sculptures of varied and surprising forms. One particularly striking piece is by a contemporary sculptor, whose bronze figures seem to almost breathe. The gallerist, with an enigmatic smile, shares an anecdote about an improbable meeting between the artist and a Japanese collector on a summer evening in Tokyo. This fortuitous encounter gave birth to a lasting friendship and several fruitful collaborations.

The Art of Portraiture

Moving forward, I come across an exhibition dedicated to portrait art. The faces, painted with almost photographic precision, seem to follow the visitors with their gaze, creating an intimate and emotional connection. One painting, in particular, catches my attention: that of a young woman with a melancholic expression. The painter, present on site, shares the story of his model, a childhood friend he had not seen for years and who he had accidentally met again during a trip to Italy. Their reunion inspired this nostalgic work.

19th-Century Paintings and Their Fantasies

19th-century paintings, with their bucolic scenes and whimsical representations, offer a window into a bygone era. I linger long in front of a canvas depicting a lush summer garden, where children play near a pond. The artist passionately recounts how he rediscovered this work in his grandmother’s attic, hidden behind piles of old letters and childhood memories. This discovery was a true revelation for him, prompting him to delve deeper into the research of this forgotten painter.

Rare Books and Prints

Finally, I end my visit at the stands dedicated to rare books and prints. The scent of old parchment, the rustle of delicate pages, everything here breathes history and knowledge. An exhibitor shows me a beautifully illustrated incunabulum, explaining how it was found in an abandoned library of an old castle in Scotland. Each page seems to be a door to another world, another time.

Philanthropy and Education

Philanthropic ArsNova, an endowment fund initiated by the champagne house Taittinger, will invite young people from the association Métis to discover the art of collecting by creating their own selection at the salon.

A Plethora of Exhibitors

Among the exhibitors, over 25% are newcomers and a third are foreign dealers representing nine different countries. Well-known names include Applicat-Prazan, Didier Aaron & Cie, Xavier Eeckhout, as well as prestigious galleries like De Jonckheere, La Présidence, and Opera Gallery.

New entrants include Röbbig München, Adam Williams Fine Art Ltd, Richard Green, and many others. Non-Western art will be represented by galleries such as Monbrison, Tenzing Asian Art, and Jean-Christophe Charbonnier, while rare books and autographs will be highlighted with exhibitors like Stéphane Clavreuil and Jean-Baptiste de Proyart.

As the day draws to a close and the lights soften, I head towards the exit, taking with me memories of this day immersed in the world of art. FAB Paris is a gateway to the past, present, and future of humanity, where each object and each work tells a story, and where every visitor is invited to become, for a moment, an explorer of the artistic soul.