BIAF 2026: First Works Unveiled at the 34th Florence International Antiques Biennale

Ahead of its opening on September 26, 2026, in the halls of Palazzo Corsini, the 34th Florence International Antiques Biennial (BIAF) presents a preliminary selection of the works that will be featured in this year’s edition. Under the direction of the new Secretary General, Bruno Botticelli, and with the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the City of Florence, the Metropolitan City of Florence, and the Chamber of Commerce—and with the support of main sponsor Gucci—this historic exhibition and market will be open to the public through October 4, 2026.

The selection of works, vetted by a committee of 63 international experts—including museum directors, curators, and conservators—is just a first glimpse of the masterpieces that will be on display. The new exhibition design, created by Matteo Corvino with furnishings by Minotti, is conceived to create a dialogue between the old masters and the avant-garde movements of the 20th century and contemporary art.

Among the sculptures, several masterpieces spanning over five centuries of art history stand out. Longari Arte Milano presents a refined polychrome glazed terracotta “Infant Jesus” by Andrea della Robbia, while Tomasso Ltd. exhibits a monumental terracotta “Madonna and Child” by Giovanni de Fondulis. Also of exceptional significance is the marble *Maggio* (*Apollo*) by Antonio Novelli, created between 1628 and 1630 for the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris and offered by Botticelli Antichità, as well as *La Carità* by Lorenzo Bartolini, presented by Walter Padovani. The 20th century is represented, among others, by Antonio Maraini’s *Bagnante* and Marino Marini’s *Bozzetto per l’Arengario a Milano*.

The section dedicated to painting brings together prestigious works, confirming the high caliber of the event. Among the masterpieces are the exquisite gold-ground painting *The King of Brittany, Father of Saint Ursula, in Prayer* by Paolo Veneziano (Galerie Canesso), *Madonna and Child with Adoring Angels* by Neri di Bicci (Flavio Gianassi FG Fine Art), the Madonna and Child with Saints by Lorenzo Costa (Fondantico di Tiziana Sassoli), Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane by Mattia Preti (Maison d’Art), and Judith and Abra with the Head of Holofernes by Francesco Furini (Rob Smeets Old Master Paintings). Rounding out the exhibition are paintings by Bernardo Strozzi (St. Catherine of Alexandria from Enrico Frascione and Frascione Gallery), Luca Giordano (Rebecca at the Well from Gallo Fine Art), and Anton Maria Vassallo’s Cleopatra with its original asp-themed frame (Goldfinch Fine Arts). Antichità Giglio, meanwhile, presents the monumental View of Monte Pisano with the Medici Aqueduct by Jakob Philip Hackert.

Significant attention is also given to graphic art, featuring Guercino’s preparatory drawing for *Saint Jerome Writing* (Cortona Fine Art) and Giuseppe Vannini’s drawing for Antonio Canova’s monument to Alfieri in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence (Alessandra Di Castro).

The exhibition also showcases the decorative arts and fine Italian craftsmanship through works such as a Guttatoio bearing the Medici coat of arms from the Officina Granducale Medicea (Altomani & Sons), a sumptuous 17th-century cabinet from the Trapani workshop (Brun Fine Art), and a Venetian-made trumeau in the Louis XV style (Attilio Cecchetto Antiquario).

The exhibition concludes with a rich selection of 20th-century works that demonstrate the continuity between the ancient and the modern. Two works by Umberto Boccioni will be on display: the Divisionist *Impression of Venice* from 1907 (Enrico Gallerie d’Arte) and *Portrait of the Sculptor Ripamonti*, a watercolor and pastel from June 1916, the year of his untimely death (Bottegantica); paintings by Gino Severini, such as the oil painting *Les deux canards* (Galleria Russo) and *Symbole de l’Eucharistie* (circa 1927), a refined *papiers collés* and mixed-media work with a rich history of exhibition appearances (Osart Gallery); works by Vittorio Zecchin (Three Princesses, Ed Gallery) and Umberto Brunelleschi, with the Parisian canvas *La Fête du Soleil* (Paolo Antonacci), highlight the Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, as do the “Archi e corde” porcelain vases designed by Gio Ponti for Richard-Ginori in 1927 (Raffaello Pernici); works by Alberto Savinio (Untitled, 1929, from Galleria d’Arte Frediano Farsetti) and Giorgio de Chirico (Self-Portrait of the Clouds, 1948, from Gian Enzo Sperone) epitomize the great Italian metaphysical and surrealist period, Also on display will be a precious oval glass cup with red, yellow, and black murrine designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini (Galleria Carlo Virgilio & C.) and a “Spatial Concept, Expectations” by Lucio Fontana (Tornabuoni Arte).

In the coming months, the catalog of works will be further expanded. The program will also include initiatives carried out in collaboration with major Florentine cultural institutions, including an exhibition of Michelangelo’s first drawing for the façade of the Church of San Lorenzo, whose restoration will be supported by the Fondazione CR Firenze and entrusted to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, as well as new joint projects with the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi.

BIAF 2026: First Works Unveiled at the 34th Florence International Antiques Biennale

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.