Nigel Ip

HIGHLIGHTS | Frieze Masters 2026 – Regent’s Park, London

Oct 19, 2026

2–3 minutes

Between a Triceratops skull and a Lucio Fontana, the diversity of Frieze Masters has always been its strength and selling point. However, some rather important exhibitors have decided to take a break this year, leaving massive gaps in the offerings we have grown to admire over the years.

For the first time in my lived experience, no manuscript dealers featured in the exhibitors list, leaving the shimmer of illuminated gold leaf to rest on the shoulders of antiquities dealers selling arms and armoury, and South Asian bronze bodhisattva statues.

Ceramics remain strong across the board from Renaissance maiolica to Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, while Western tapestries and embroideries compete with the increased presence of Asian textiles. Antique furniture also hasn’t changed much.

Fine art, on the hand, has largely moved away from Surrealism’s anniversary celebrations, capitalising on current exhibitions with some exhibitors offering up their Renoir paintings, while others have David Hockney’s paintings and graphic works for those missing the late beloved artist, who will be celebrated with a monograph next year at Tate. Even Lang Jingshan, the father of Chinese art photography, has a solo presentation in the Spotlight section. I also spotted a crouching Aphrodite in a nod to the Ashmolean’s new show.

Meanwhile, a (rather underwhelming) Dutch still life formerly in the royal collection of King Charles I appears to be the historical highlight of note. There is also a Rubens oil sketch that can be very easily missed.

Finally, the trend of joint exhibitor stands has plateaued. It’s just not that noticeable anymore, but the model still remains popular.

Here are my highlights:

Philip de László, Portrait of the Honourable Marguerite de Fontaine Drever Joncey, 1917 (Colnaghi, stand C4)

Karen Taylor Fine Art (stand F16)

Camille Pissarro, La gardeuse d’oies, brouillard, matin d’hiver, 1886 (Bailly Gallery, stand A8)

Alonso Berruguete, Pair of Busts representing a Roman Soldier and a Roman Senator (probably Saint Marinus and Sainst Asterius) (Tomasso, Stand D8)

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Study for the mural ‘Sir Launcelot’s Vision of the Sanc Grael’ for the Oxford Union Debating Hall, 1857 (Philip Mould & Company, stand E7)