Galerie Kugel
Located in Hôtel Collot near the Place de la Concorde in Paris, it the Galerie J. Kugel is specialized in museum-quality artworks from Medieval and Renaissance down to the Empire period. The eclecticism of works of art is tremendous with Kunstkammer objects, silver, furniture, sculpture, ivories, scientific instruments, rock crystal, Russian art, and paintings.
Galerie Kugel
Located in Hôtel Collot near the Place de la Concorde in Paris, it the Galerie J. Kugel is specialized in museum-quality artworks from Medieval and Renaissance down to the Empire period. The eclecticism of works of art is tremendous with Kunstkammer objects, silver, furniture, sculpture, ivories, scientific instruments, rock crystal, Russian art, and paintings.
Antique Art
25 quai Anatole France
75007 Paris, FR
+33 (0) 1 42 60 86 23
galerie@galeriekugel.com
José Maria Sert
Décor for Corina Kavanagh’s music room
Buenos Aires, 1938
Oil and gold on canvas
H. 2,5m x Total L. 14,77m
All our Interviews
Read all our exclusive interviews with antique, modern, contemporary & primitive art dealers.
Interview with Alexis & Nicolas Kugel
Alexis and Nicolas Kugel in their library, 2018 © Vanity Fair
Interview by Pauline Loeb-Obrenan, founder of artfairmag.
When the brilliant art dealer Jacques Kugel died in 1985, his sons Alexis and Nicolas Kugel were only 19 and 22 years old. As the fifth generation of art dealers, they had such a big challenge on their hands: continuing or even surpassing what their father had created. Successful changeover for Galerie J. Kugel which is today recognized as one of the most important antique art galleries around the world. With TEFAF Maastricht taking place early March where Galerie Kugel will exhibit, I spoke to Alexis and Nicolas about this unique fair.
artfairmag: Your gallery has participated in TEFAF Maastricht, Netherlands, almost since its creation in 1988 and I presume you have been the witnesses of many changes. How was the fair at the beginning, before becoming this unmissable event?
Alexis Kugel: This fair is even older. My father participated to the 1978 edition. I was 12 and accompanied him. At one point he asked me to keep the booth for half an hour. It was a traumatic experience. I thought all the visitors were there to rob. We returned in 1990. It was still a bit provincial but we could sense it had all the requirement to become a leading fair.
Nicolas Kugel: In 1990 the fair was very interesting at that time it attracted some Dutch and German clients who would never travel to any other fair. The ambiance between colleagues was excellent and we felt very welcome in this venture.
artfairmag: You have recreated in Hôtel Collot a true connoisseur’s home, presenting furniture, paintings, sculptures and works of art in a luxurious yet intimate décor. It seems challenging to do the same in a fair booth. How do you adapt for a fair, and does it change the way people view your pieces?
A.K: In our case a fair is frustrating because we have to show the wide range of field we are dealing with in a limited space. I encourage everyone to visit our Paris Gallery but we still have very good clients who buy from us in Maastricht for more than 10 years and never visited us in Paris.
N.K: One is always revealing a vision on art by the proximity of the art and the display. Even with a simpler decoration the choice of pieces is our signature like every exhibitor.
“We were raised in the culture of “maximalism” as opposed to “minimalism”. It has been our trademark as long as quantity still rhymes with quality.”
artfairmag: Collectors’ tastes and trends have changed a lot in 30 years. How have you adapted and evolved the way you showcase artworks on a stand?
A.K: We were raised in the culture of “maximalism” as opposed to “minimalism”. It has been our trademark as long as quantity still rhymes with quality. We are trying to reduce the number of pieces to bring to the fair but it is still about 200 instead 300 while some other dealers sometime bring less than 10 pieces.
N.K: We try to improve our display every year, but it depends of the pieces we have been able to gather every year. We try to create a surprise every time.
artfairmag: Last year in Maastricht, you showcased an exceptional décor comprising 28 panels created in the 1930s by José María Sert. Can you give us some insights about what visitors will admire on your stand this time?
A.K: No, I like surprises.
N.K: We typically do not reveal our highlights before the fair opens. What we want to emulate at Maastricht is the effect of surprise and excitement…so you will have to come and see!
artfairmag: After all these years, I have no doubt that you both know the city of Maastricht very well. Can you share some places you like with our readers that will come to TEFAF in March?
A.K: Harry’s Bar at the Beaumont Hotel is a nice restaurant with a bistrot atmosphere. To stay, or for a drink, the Kruisherenhotel, a former monastery and 15th-century Gothic church. Don’t miss out on the Treasury at the Basilica of St. Servaas, which houses beautiful medieval artworks.
N.K: The Bonnenfanten Museum and discovering the small streets of the old city.
More Interviews
TOMASSO
Previously known as Tomasso Brothers Fine Art, the gallery is specialized in high-quality European Sculpture from the early Renaissance to the Neo-Classical period.
Galerie Chenel
Colnaghi
Created in 1783, Colnaghi is one of the oldest galleries. Specialised in the European Old Master paintings and sculptures, it is co-directed since 2015 by Jorge Coll.
Rafael Valls
Opened in 1976 by Rafael Valls and directed by Toby Campbell, the gallery focuses on Old Master Paintings – Dutch, Flemish and Spanish paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Laura Lati’s full review about Frieze Art Week 2024 is now available on artfairmag.com 🙌🏻
@art_infatuated_laura @friezeofficial @newartdealers @futurefairs
#friezeartweek #newyorkart #newyorkartweek #frieze #frieze2024 #contemporaryart #newyork #artlover
May 11
Laura Lati’s full review about Frieze Art Week 2024 is now available on artfairmag.com 🙌🏻
@art_infatuated_laura @friezeofficial @newartdealers @futurefairs
#friezeartweek #newyorkart #newyorkartweek #frieze #frieze2024 #contemporaryart #newyork #artlover
In conversation with @ravellepillay, a talented young artist from South Africa, represented by @goodman_gallery. Ravelle is known for exploring colonial legacies. She discussed her blend of figuration and abstraction, drawing from personal and national archives. Despite challenges, she remains committed to making a positive impact on the art scene.
#ravellepillay #southafrican #southafricanart #southafricanartist #africanart #contemporaryafricanart
May 8
In conversation with @ravellepillay, a talented young artist from South Africa, represented by @goodman_gallery. Ravelle is known for exploring colonial legacies. She discussed her blend of figuration and abstraction, drawing from personal and national archives. Despite challenges, she remains committed to making a positive impact on the art scene.
#ravellepillay #southafrican #southafricanart #southafricanartist #africanart #contemporaryafricanart
My article about @urbanartfair 2024. Dive into the 8th edition of this article fair dedicated to urban art.
#urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #jefaerosol #arturbain #invader #bleklerat #misstic #levalet
May 6
My article about @urbanartfair 2024. Dive into the 8th edition of this article fair dedicated to urban art.
#urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #jefaerosol #arturbain #invader #bleklerat #misstic #levalet
@friezeofficial New York by @art_infatuated_laura for @artfairmag. Laura’s picks include:
• @h.ollyh.endry at @stephenfriedmangallery
• @kenpricestudio_official at @xavierhufkens
• @jesse_wine at @themoderninstitute
• @studiotomassaraceno at @tanyabonakdargallery
#frieze #friezenewyork #friezeweek #friezeartweek #kenprice #jessewine #tomassaraceno #hollyhendry
May 4
@friezeofficial New York by @art_infatuated_laura for @artfairmag. Laura’s picks include:
• @h.ollyh.endry at @stephenfriedmangallery
• @kenpricestudio_official at @xavierhufkens
• @jesse_wine at @themoderninstitute
• @studiotomassaraceno at @tanyabonakdargallery
#frieze #friezenewyork #friezeweek #friezeartweek #kenprice #jessewine #tomassaraceno #hollyhendry
@danyszgallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Associate director Clémence Demolling presents a sculpture by @xmarkjenkinsx from 2021, ‘Holy Bible of War Cinema’.
#markjenkins #markjenkinsart #streetart #urbanart #urbanartfair #arturbain #contemporaryartist #artworkoftheday #strikingart
May 2
@danyszgallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Associate director Clémence Demolling presents a sculpture by @xmarkjenkinsx from 2021, ‘Holy Bible of War Cinema’.
#markjenkins #markjenkinsart #streetart #urbanart #urbanartfair #arturbain #contemporaryartist #artworkoftheday #strikingart
@jefaerosol at @urbanartfair 2024. The artist was featured in two booths: @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
Such a talented and inspiring artist!
#urbanart #jefaerosol #jefaérosol #jefaerosolart #urbanartfair #graffiti #streetart #aerosolart #aerosol
Apr 29
@jefaerosol at @urbanartfair 2024. The artist was featured in two booths: @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
Such a talented and inspiring artist!
#urbanart #jefaerosol #jefaérosol #jefaerosolart #urbanartfair #graffiti #streetart #aerosolart #aerosol
@underdogs_gallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Jessica Louro presents the work of the duo of artists @pichiavo who mixes Greek aesthetic with graffiti art.
#urbanart #pichiavo #pichiavograffiti #pichiavostudio #streetart #graffiti #urbanartfair #arturbain
Apr 28
@underdogs_gallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Jessica Louro presents the work of the duo of artists @pichiavo who mixes Greek aesthetic with graffiti art.
#urbanart #pichiavo #pichiavograffiti #pichiavostudio #streetart #graffiti #urbanartfair #arturbain
@mazelgalerie at @urbanartfair 2024 where I’ve came across the work of @levalet.art, a highly talented artist who create these amazing works with a peaceful foreground with an impactful background.
A real art crush (I’ve bought two pieces of him for my personal collection!)
#levalet #figurativeart #urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #meaningfulart #contemporaryart
Apr 27
@mazelgalerie at @urbanartfair 2024 where I’ve came across the work of @levalet.art, a highly talented artist who create these amazing works with a peaceful foreground with an impactful background.
A real art crush (I’ve bought two pieces of him for my personal collection!)
#levalet #figurativeart #urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #meaningfulart #contemporaryart
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at @urbanartfair 2024:
• @jefaerosol at @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
• @underdogs_gallery
• @mazelgalerie
• @danyszgallery
• @ekowgalerie
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #jefaerosol #aerosolart #graffiti #streetart #artfair
Apr 26
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at @urbanartfair 2024:
• @jefaerosol at @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
• @underdogs_gallery
• @mazelgalerie
• @danyszgallery
• @ekowgalerie
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #jefaerosol #aerosolart #graffiti #streetart #artfair
@urbanartfair 2024 has just opened the doors of its 7th edition in Paris! Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into this vibrant art and experience the raw, the real, the street-brought-indoors!
Artists featured in the video:
• Keith Haring at @vroomandvarossieau
• @ernestpignon at @art_to_be_gallery
• @missticofficiel at @art_to_be_gallery
• @ladypinknyc at @graffitiandco
• @invaderwashere at @galerieangebasso
Photo cover at @brugier_rigail_galerie and first scene at @malagacha_gallery with @svengraffiti
Thank you @gkeroparis for the very arty jumpsuit and @karinearabianparis for the shoes 💚
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #streetart #graffiti #invader #ernestpignonernest #keithharing #misstic #ladypink
Apr 25
@urbanartfair 2024 has just opened the doors of its 7th edition in Paris! Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into this vibrant art and experience the raw, the real, the street-brought-indoors!
Artists featured in the video:
• Keith Haring at @vroomandvarossieau
• @ernestpignon at @art_to_be_gallery
• @missticofficiel at @art_to_be_gallery
• @ladypinknyc at @graffitiandco
• @invaderwashere at @galerieangebasso
Photo cover at @brugier_rigail_galerie and first scene at @malagacha_gallery with @svengraffiti
Thank you @gkeroparis for the very arty jumpsuit and @karinearabianparis for the shoes 💚
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #streetart #graffiti #invader #ernestpignonernest #keithharing #misstic #ladypink
@matta___________ at @miartmilano 2024. Co founder Pietro Rossi presents the solo show dedicated to Maximilian Arnold @maxadnorl.
#miart #miart2024 #maximilianarnold #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #emergingart #excitingart #collage
Apr 24
@matta___________ at @miartmilano 2024. Co founder Pietro Rossi presents the solo show dedicated to Maximilian Arnold @maxadnorl.
#miart #miart2024 #maximilianarnold #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #emergingart #excitingart #collage
@primomarellagallery at @miartmilano 2024. @danielemarella presents an incredible work by Kenji Sugiyama.
@kenjisugiyama_works
#miart #kenjisugiyama #miniatureworld #miniaturework #contemporaryart #amazingart #amazingartwork
Apr 23
@primomarellagallery at @miartmilano 2024. @danielemarella presents an incredible work by Kenji Sugiyama.
@kenjisugiyama_works
#miart #kenjisugiyama #miniatureworld #miniaturework #contemporaryart #amazingart #amazingartwork