Masterpieces You Can’t Miss at the PAN 2016

The 30th edition of PAN Amsterdam has started and the annual art fair will feature over 150 leading gallery owners, antiques and art dealers. The PAN is a jack-of-all-trades and has lots to offer in different disciplines and for every art lover. This eclectic theme reflects the spirit of the times. Want to make sure you’ve hit the highlights? To lend a hand we’ve selected 5 masterpieces you must see at the 2016 edition of PAN. 

_{Galerie Rob Koudijs -Ralph Bakker, Bonding, 2016}

'It’s the most smooth and flexible necklace I’ve ever seen’. The newest piece of Ralph Bakker (1958) - Bonding - is hot off the press. Bakker manages to unite the traditional values of refined craftsmanship with radical modernity. The jewel is made of gold, silver and enamel and costs €18,000. Gallery Rob Koudijs –stand no. 126- specializes in contemporary art jewellery, which communicates ideas, has sculptural qualities and an innovative use of materials. Amongst the other artists that the gallery represents is David Bielander; the winner of the Robbe & Berking Prize 2016.

_{Röell Fine art & antiques – Hendrik Samuel Schouten (1785 - 1840), ‘Caribbean Indians at the river side’}

At stand no. 105, Röell Fine art & antiques, you’ll find an unique diorama by Hendrik Samuel Schouten (1785-1840). The three-dimensional diorama depicts Caribbean Indians in their natural environment at the river. They’re exposed in a way that looks very real, the work is even laced with twigs and dried moss. Schouten produced the work at the Jagtlust plantation in Suriname where he was a planter. This is the only known diorama by Hendrik Schouten. His older brother Gerrit Schouten (1779-1839) became a well-known artist, who made over forty dioramas. Guus Röell is an expert in the field of colonial antiques and rare artefacts from the West Indies to Japan.

_{J. van Wisselingh & co – Isaac Israels (1865-1934), Woman with cigarette, Signed Ca. 1910.}

This painting by Isaac Israels (1865-1934) captures a passing moment in time. The snapshot of the elegant lady lighting her cigarette reveals his talent for capturing the subject’s character with just a few brushstrokes. The vigorous, impressionistic touch typifies Israels’ prodigious work. E.J. van Wisselingh & Co -stand no. 42- specialises in Dutch and French masters of the 19th & 20th century. Other highlights of their wonderful collection include Jacoba van Heemskerck, Karel Appel, Shinkichi Tajiri, Camille Jean-Baptiste Corot and Jan Sluijters.

_{Foumani Persian Gallery – 
Cosmos Vilt Carpet, 203 x 140 cm., Uzbekistan ca. 1920}

Foumani Persian Gallery -stand no. 36- is leading in the field of exclusive and antique Persian carpets and kilims. Every kilim tells a story – this one tells the story of the Cosmos. The deep and expressing colours are dyed using natural resources. The Kilim is impressively crafted out of one piece of felt. Felt is made of pure wool. It has thereby also the properties of wool. So it feels soft to the touch because it consists of resilient fibers. The colourful Bidjar, which was part of the exhibition The Frick Collection in Mauritshuis, is also definitely worth a look.

_{Willem Van de Velde the Elder (1611-1693), Amsterdam Harbour view}

Last but not least, this masterpiece by Willem Van de Velde the Elder (1611-1693) should not remain unseen. Van de Velde was initially a sketch artist. This pen drawing is extremely labour intensive. With this relatively new technique at the time, he was aiming at an elite clientele who were looking for something special. In this area he took the opposite direction of his competitors who, at the time, chose labour-saving painting techniques. This excellent ridge detailed work with its narrative character captures a nostalgic ambiance. The drawing exposes the unbelievable skill of the virtuous Van de Velde within maritime art. The Amsterdam harbour view can be admired at Bijl- Van Urk BV -stand no. 80-. They’re specialised in Old Master Paintings, especially from the seventeenth century.

For more curated antique, art and jewels also have a look at Gallerease!