A few from Art Genève 2025, a fair of quality and finesse, where painting takes center stage. A selection of galleries and outstanding guests, along with excellent hospitality that leaves no service or comfort lacking (as one might expect). Scrolling through the booths, there was plenty of Parisian and Swiss art, with some spots featuring well-known artists and Milanese projects. Here’s a little review of what I saw and what happened.

Art Genève is and remains a fair of excellence, highly selective, chic, and elitist— in the best possible way. It mirrors the spirit of Geneva itself: a city of luxury and beauty at a steep price, with a strong international flair and a tradition of intercultural dialogue, home to numerous international organizations and embassies. A fancy fair, not mainstream, where both the guests and artists are at the highest levels. Now in its 13th edition under the direction of Charlotte Diwan, the fair showcases the city’s local vibe while hosting international galleries, projects, and foundations.

Small in size, it offers a comfortable experience for both journalists and visitors. Its compact nature means you can enjoy it without the usual headache or sore feet that come with larger fairs in places like Paris, London, or New York. One of the perks is how easy it is to find spots to chat, work on your laptop, or sit down between the stands and have a quick word with collectors and gallerists. And yes, conversations happen in at least four native languages—lucky those who can keep up. The curation of the space, though small, is evident in the details (e.g., there's even a designated smoking area).

This year, there’s also a special selection dedicated to contemporary art books and artist prints, organized by HEAD - Genève. Art Genève 2025 collaborates with major Swiss institutions like Kunst Museum Winterthur, MASI Lugano, Musée des Beaux-Arts du Locle, and Fondation Gandurpour l'Art. Additionally, the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (MAH) will present a major exhibition by American artist Carole Bove, who was born in Geneva. The show at MAH is a reimagining of the museum's collection, creating an almost tactile, anthropological timeline, with a dialogue between regional archaeological finds and contemporary pieces, illuminated in moments of light and shadow. Geneva’s local and municipal art funds will showcase carefully curated works, and for the first time, the Plaza Foundation will present an exciting new project blending cinema and contemporary art in an original setting.

Geneva’s art market is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan microcosm—a key meeting point for collectors, gallerists, and independent curators. Situated by Lake Geneva and at the heart of international relations, the city is the perfect place for a market that combines cultural refinement with the global appeal of elite collecting. It’s not a place where you’ll find the frantic pace of art megastores or dizzying market swings. Here, art is seen as both an emotional and cultural investment, as well as a true status symbol—an element that reflects a sophisticated vision of life. In the heart of the city, you’ll find collectors from all over the world, many drawn by Switzerland's reputation as a stable and secure hub for high-class investments. Geneva's galleries stand out for their ability to combine tradition and innovation, with a strong preference for artistic expressions that are both challenging and intellectually stimulating. With a selection that ranges from painting to installation, from sculpture to photography, the exhibition scene is rich in works that tell universal stories while also staying deeply connected to local roots.

Compared to other global fairs, like Art Basel or Frieze, which mainly focus on the market and the high finance side of art, Art Genève puts more emphasis on inclusivity and the cultural aspect. Still, it manages to stand out by highlighting new trends and emerging talent. Among the major Swiss art fairs, it’s known for its focus on quality art, balancing established galleries with emerging spaces, and its strategic positioning in the cultural landscape of Geneva. The fair is a key event for collectors, curators, critics, and art lovers, and is particularly appreciated for its ability to bridge the gap between the art market and cultural institutions, all while staying true to the authentic and cool side of contemporary art. Compared to larger, more established fairs, Art Genève plays on a more intimate, refined approach. The fair, after all, is not just a commercial or positioning platform—it’s a space for cultural exchange, dialogue between the market and the critics, and networking.

Open to the public from January 30 to February 2 at Palexpo, with 80 international galleries participating—both solo shows and group exhibitions—painting dominates the contemporary art scene. The MAMCO (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) launches its “dynamic acquisition” project, where works are acquired and displayed in the booth, which starts off empty and gradually fills up throughout the day. The prize dedicated to Swiss artists is the Prix Mobilière, offering 30,000 francs, and it features a dedicated space for the finalists. Numerous international guests are invited to take part in panel discussions over the three days of the event. The organization invites both public and private institutions—21 participants this year, to be exact—such as collections, museums, and art schools to offer visitors a more nuanced view of the current art world.

Attendees, mostly industry professionals, are welcomed into a visually sophisticated and human-scale environment that reflects Switzerland’s cosmopolitan attitude and offers a showcase of art of exceptional beauty. Art Genève is an event with the power to set trends and guide the conversation for collectors, the art market, and the business of art every year.