The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) is known for its carefully curated selection of exhibitors and attracts major dealers from around the world who come to view works that span 7,000 years of art. Exhibitors are divided into sections covering such areas as antiques, classical antiquities, design, Haute Joaillerie, modern art, paintings and paper.

This year, a loan exhibition housed in the TEFAF Paper section will focus on significant Italian paintings and sculptures from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries from the Gallerie Borghese in Rome. Called “Galleria Borghese – An Italian Legacy,” the show will feature 13 pieces that offer a look into the art of collecting.

For its Curated section, TEFAF Maastricht has this year chosen the theme “La Grande Horizontale,” focusing on works by contemporary artists based on the reclining or recumbent figure.

At the Art Symposium, set for the fair’s opening day, the TEFAF Art Market Report for 2017 will be presented. Among the findings of the report are a shift from auctions to dealer sales in 2016. While the auction market in Asia remains stable, Europe saw a drop in auction sales; the drop in the United States was especially dramatic at 41 percent. Dealer sales, meanwhile, rose 20-25 percent over 2016, such that private sales now account for about 70 percent of all sales worldwide.

While the majority of art dealers were optimistic about the potential for online platforms to help increase sales, dealers also said they still believed that fairs remain the most effective arenas for acquiring new and prospective customers, according to the report.

These findings point to the continuing importance of fairs such as TEFAF, whose appeal is evidenced by its decision to launch in New York in 2016. The fair began its fall New York edition last year; a second annual event there will hold its inaugural edition this May.

TEFAF Maastricht runs March 10-19.