See Why Switzerland’s Art Basel 2017 Is Masterpiece of a Fair

A look inside the most prestigious art fair in the world.

June 17, 2017 5:00 am
Art Basel 2017
The artwork by John Baldessari "Ear Sofa; Nose Sconces with Flowers (in Stage Setting)" is displayed during Art Basel at Basel Messe in Basel, Switzerland. (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious art fairs, celebrated its 48th year in grand fashion in the Swiss town.

The works of 4,000 artists (ranging from early 20th century to contemporary artists) were selected by 291 renown galleries from 34 countries and six continents.

It is estimated that $2.8-3.4 billion will be bought and sold by the time the fair ends on Sunday.

Art Basel 2017
“Vivian” by New Zealander artist Francis Upritchard (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
A security guard stands behind “Titi Tire” by US artist Jeff Koons at the Gagosian gallery’s stand during Art Basel
(Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
“Boy with red nose in a blue velvet dress” a painting by German visual artist Hans-Peter Feldmann (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Artworks by Otto Piene “Blue Star Linz” and Secundino Hernandez “Four Seasons, Between Summer and Fall” (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Artwork by Yves Klein (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
The artwork by John Baldessari “Ear Sofa; Nose Sconces with Flowers (in Stage Setting)” is displayed during Art Basel at Basel Messe in Basel, Switzerland. (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Speak Louder by US fabric sculptor, dancer, and performance artist Nick Cave is pictured at Unlimited show during Art Basel (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
A visitor looks at the artwork by Darren Bader during Art Basel at Basel Messe Basel, Switzerland. (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
A painting by British painter and sculptor Glenn Brown is displayed at Gagosian gallery during Art Basel. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
“Rob Pruitts Official Art World / Celebrity Look-alikes Series” by US conceptual artist Rob Pruitt at Unlimited show during Art Basel (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
“Sleeping girls” by Belgian visual artist Hans Op de Beeck (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
A woman walks past “Untitled” by Dutch artist David Nuur displayed at Pland B gallery during Art Basel (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
A visitor looks at artworks by Stefan Tcherepnin and Tobias Madison (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Artwork by Adrian Villar Rojas is displayed at Art Basel (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
The artwork by Markus Schinwald “Maschine” is displayed for Art Basel at Basel Messe (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Artwork by Urs Fischer “Bruno & Yoyo” is displayed during Art Basel 2017 (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Artwork by Song Dong “Through the Wall” (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Art Basel 2017
Mark Manders “Large Composition with Red” (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
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