Art Basel Paris Opens Under Heavy Security as Collectors Defy Protests

Image: Collected

Art Basel Paris launched its invitation-only Avant-Première preview at the Grand Palais on Tuesday, drawing major international collectors despite nationwide protests, riots and looting that had raised questions about whether the art world’s elite would travel to the French capital.

The preview opened at 3 p.m. behind concrete anti-ram barriers, with Paris police and private security officers patrolling the venue around the clock. Fair director Karim Crippa had assured VIP guests that the event would proceed as planned and that visitors would be thoroughly screened at entry.

Unrest Raises Concerns

The protests began over conditions in French schools and broadened into demonstrations over the cost of living. Around 550,000 people marched nationwide on Saturday, including roughly 110,000 in Paris, while violent fringe groups clashed with police and looted shops. The Grand Palais was briefly locked down that evening but reopened without reported damage.

Some dealers and advisers said collectors had canceled trips to Paris because of the unrest, and the preview appeared less crowded and less American-dominated than last year’s edition. Still, leading collectors including Jon Shirley, Komal Shah, Don and Mera Rubell, Pamela Joyner and Glenn Fuhrman were among those seen at the opening.

$100 Million Modigliani Headlines Fair

The most expensive work on view is Amedeo Modigliani’s Nu étendu (Lolotte) (1917), presented by Pace Di Donna Schrader and valued at more than $100 million. The rare reclining nude had not been shown publicly for roughly a century, and gallery principal Emmanuel Di Donna said a sale would likely take time.

Hauser & Wirth reported sales of Gerhard Richter’s Rokokotisch (1965) and Georg Baselitz’s Der Hirte (1965), each for about $10 million. White Cube sold two Julie Mehretu paintings for $7.85 million each, while Thaddaeus Ropac said his gallery had made 15 sales during the opening period.

Market Resilience Amid Tension

Despite the security concerns, several dealers described strong early demand. “This opening afternoon has been very strong and collectors came ready to make decisions quickly,” Ropac said in a statement.

The fair features 211 exhibitors and continues with VIP days on Wednesday and Thursday, before opening to the public from Friday through Sunday. Further protests are expected over the weekend, keeping security at the Grand Palais and nearby auction houses under close watch.