PALM BEACH.-The 12th annual Palm Beach | America’s International Fine Art & Antique Fair slated for February 1-10, 2008 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center continues as one of the most exclusive, strictly vetted art and antique fairs in the world. Nearly 90 international dealers hailing from 13 countries—Great Britain, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Monaco, U.S.A. and the United Arab Emirates—showcase their best, representing all disciplines of art, from classical antiquity to 17th c. Dutch and Flemish Old Master paintings, French 18th c. portraiture as well as Modern and Contemporary Art, antiques from Britain and Continental Europe, and the high points of 20th c. design, along with spectacular high jewelry.

“We’ve grown the Fair and brought it to an entire new level by forging strategic partnerships with world renowned companies, from Van Cleef & Arpels to NetJets, and also by enhancing our lecture series, outstanding loan exhibitions, and the Design Committee,” said Dr. Michael Mezzatesta, PhD, Palm Beach Fair Director. “In featuring extraordinary fine arts and antiques spanning 6000 years and across multiple cultures, this event draws collectors at all levels,” he says. On view will be antiquities by New York’s Royal-Athena Galleries to Chinese export porcelain by London’s Cohen and Cohen; to 18th & 19th c. furniture and objets d’art by Mallett and Partridge Fine Arts, both of London; and Macklowe Gallery of New York; to fine silver by The Silver Fund; and arms and armor with specialist dealer Peter Finer of Britain.

Leading the way in masterpieces on canvas are Richard Green of London with Old Masters and 19th & 20th c. paintings; Noortman Master Paintings from Maastricht, Netherlands specializing in Dutch Old Masters, French Impressionists and Post Impressionists; Dickinson of Manhattan offering masterworks from the early Renaissance to Pop Art; Hollis Taggart and Berry-Hill Galleries of New York showcasing Classic Modern paintings; and a host of other dealers with paintings, watercolors and other works on paper and sculpture. Then rounding out the international offerings with both Contemporary and Classical Modern paintings such as works by Gerhard Richter will be Galerie Terminus of Munich.

Not to be missed are the show-stopping stands of high jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels which is serving as the Fair’s exclusive Vernissage sponsor. The Fair’s opening night gala, the Vernissage, is a fundraising event. It supports the Mosaic Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Adding to the glamour of the Vernissage held Thursday, January 31 are Honorary Chairs Viscount and Viscountess Rothermere with Mrs. Martin Gruss serving as Gala Chair. Connoisseur Committee Co-Chairs are Mr. and Mrs. Llwyd Ecclestone as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Ross.

Leaders in the interior design world consider the Palm Beach Fair a mandatory stop and internationally renowned interior designer Mario Buatta is chairing the Design Committee. Noted designers Michael Simon, Robert Couturier, Campion Platt and many other distinguished figures in the field also serve on the committee.

Kicking off the acclaimed Palm Beach Fair lecture series is Dr. Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the acclaimed State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, who will deliver the keynote lecture on Friday, February 1. A record fifteen lectures are complimentary with admission.