The opening of the BRAFA Art Fair Brussel, which took place on Saturday 24 January was a most wonderful event. I was more than pleased to admire the impressive, beautiful works of art which were on display by the participating galleries. I had a close look at the galleries and really the BRAFA is worthwhile visiting.
The 71st edition of BRAFA, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious art fairs, will be opening its doors from Sunday, January 25th to Sunday, February 1st, 2026 at Brussels Expo (Halls 3, 4 and 8). With seven decades of history behind it, the Fair combines excellence, diversity and eclecticism, offering Brussels an international showcase for ancient, modern and contemporary art.
Under the chairmanship of Klaas Muller for the second year, BRAFA continues to assert its position as an unmissable event for collectors, curators, decorators and art enthusiasts from all over the world. This year, nearly 150 galleries from 19 countries will be presenting a carefully selected range of works, from Old Master paintings, 19th century paintings, modern art, contemporary art, decorative arts to design, jewels, carpets and rare books, etc. Before the opening, each piece is examined by approximately 100 international experts, who guarantee their quality, authenticity and provenance. BRAFA therefore remains a barometer of the European art market, reflecting the trends and vitality of the sector.
A loyal sponsor of the Fair for almost 20 years is Delen Private Bank. The Guest of Honor of the BRAFA 2026 is the King Badouin Foundation. The Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary. For BRAFA visitors it is an opportunity to discover extraordinary works of art and heritage that belong to us all. Since 2007 the Foundation has been present at BRAFA, sharing treasures with art lovers, collectors and experts.
You will be able to admire an exceptional exhibition, the model of the China House. After the World’s Fair in 1900, when the French Architect Alexandre Marcel was commissioned by King Leopold II to design and build the China House, he ordered a model of the house in Shanghai, made by Chinese craftsmen in 1903-1904 on a scale of 1:10. The model has many sculpted and decorative details. The model was saved by the Art & History Museum and was restored in 2024-2025. The restoration of the China House on the outskirts of the royal estate of Laeken will begin in 2026 and once completed in 2028, this extraordinary building will be accessible to the public. Queen Mathilde has accepted the High Patronage of the whole project.
I admired beautiful paintings, bronze sculptures, objects, jewels, etc. among others works of the Sint-Martens-Latem school (Leon de Smet, Gustave de Smet, Constant Permeke, Frits van den Berghe, Emile Claus, etc) at Galerie Oscar de Vos; Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dijck, Jordaens at Klaas Muller; Nicky de Saint Phalle at Ary Jan; Charles Leickert at Douwes Fine Art; several works of Christo; Victor Vasarely at Repetto Gallery; Germaine Richier and Joan Miro at Galerie de la Béraudière; Lucas van Valckenborch at De Jonckheere; Renée Margritte at Virginie Devillez Fine Art; Ferdinand Léger at Galerie Hadjer; René Lalique at Epoque Fine Jewels; Marc Chagall at Stern Pissarro Gallery; Jan van Goyen at Floris van Wanroij; Canaletto at Hartford Fine Art; Yukiya Izumita at Galerie Hioco, etc, too many to mention.
In addition to the impressive works of art, BRAFA offers a rich and varied cultural program. The BRAFA Art Talks with daily lectures by curators and experts on various art topics are popular with visitors and exhibitors. BRAFA also offers daily Art Tours, where visitors are guided through the highlights of the fair. Also, every day at 12.00 hrs. a concert will take place.
The opening was a festive event and perfectly organized. We were continuously treated with all kind of tasting dishes/sandwiches, snacks, wines, champagnes, etc. We even were treated with Belgian “frites”.
If you have the possibility to visit the BRAFA, I can strongly advise you to do so.
BRAFA takes place from Sunday 25 January to Sunday 2 February 2025, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the Brussels Expo. For more information, see brafa.art
Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro