Dealing in Splendour. A History of the European Art Market

For all those passionate about art history, collecting, and the art market, the major new exhibition Dealing in Splendour. A History of the European Art Market is a must-see. Hosted in the sumptuous rooms of the Liechtenstein Garden Palace in Vienna, the exhibition offers a unique overview of the mechanisms that shaped the European art market from the ancient world through to the nineteenth century, revealing the connections, sales strategies, art fairs, and key figures that supported the circulation of artworks and collections over the centuries.

This exhibition does not simply present works of art, but tells the story of collecting and of the market forces that gave them value. The princely House of Liechtenstein boasts a collection built through more than four centuries of active acquisitions, shaped not only by the personal tastes of successive princes but also by market dynamics, international fairs, and the commercial innovations that defined European art. It is a rare opportunity to understand how the relationship between artists, dealers, collectors, and institutions has evolved—an essential perspective for anyone who collects or evaluates art with a critical and cultural eye.

At the heart of the exhibition lies the extraordinary collecting history of the Liechtenstein family, one of the oldest and most important in Europe. Over more than four centuries, the princes assembled a museum-level collection guided by an informed and discerning vision, capable of identifying the great masters of their time and engaging with the international art market. The collection is renowned for its exceptional quality and for absolute masterpieces, from Rembrandt and Van Dyck to Brueghel and Canaletto, alongside remarkable examples of sculpture and the decorative arts, all bearing witness to a concept of collecting understood first and foremost as a cultural act rather than a purely patrimonial one.

The exhibition successfully weaves together outstanding works of art and historical context, offering visitors an in-depth yet accessible reading of how taste, value, and desire have been shaped over time. It is a valuable opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike, inviting them to view artworks not only as objects of beauty, but as protagonists in a broader story of exchange, vision, and strategy.

Dealing in Splendour. A History of the European Art Market is on view at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace in Vienna from 30 January to 6 April 2026.