Just a short walk from the energetic buzz of Frieze London, Frieze Masters offers a quieter, more contemplative experience; one that bridges the past with the present in striking and unexpected ways. While its contemporary counterpart celebrates innovation and the cutting edge of today’s art scene, Frieze Masters looks back across centuries of creativity, showcasing works spanning ancient civilisations to the late 20th century. Together, the two fairs form a dialogue across time, revealing how history continues to shape and inspire today's art.

*Work on display at Offer Waterman Gallery*

This year’s edition brought together leading international galleries and curators to reframe the classics for a modern audience. Masterpieces by established names hung alongside rediscovered works and thoughtfully curated solo presentations, each offering a glimpse into the enduring relevance of historical art within a contemporary context. From Old Masters and antiquities to modern icons of the 20th century, the fair encouraged visitors to slow down, observe, and appreciate the continuum of artistic expression.

Having explored both fairs during London’s celebrated art week, Frieze Masters stood out for its curatorial precision, elegance, and the quiet sense of discovery that it inspires. Below, I’ve selected a few standout galleries and presentations that captured this spirit, moments that not only honoured the past but redefined how we see it today.

Tenzing Asian Art

Each year at Frieze Masters, Tenzing Asian Art continues to captivate with its quietly powerful presentation, a stand that rewards time, attention, and curiosity. The gallery’s thoughtful curation and harmonious display of works from across the Himalayan region create an atmosphere of discovery, where every object tells a story shaped by history, devotion, and artistry. There is always something new to uncover here, whether a rare bronze sculpture, a ritual object imbued with centuries of reverence, or a fragment of craftsmanship that connects past traditions to the present moment.

Founded in 2006 by Iwona Tenzing, the gallery has built an international reputation for its expertise in rare Himalayan art objects from the early Kashmiri Buddhist period, Pala India, and the Licchavi Nepali era; works that have survived through the passage of time are often preserved within Tibet. Over the years, Tenzing Asian Art has played a key role in helping both private collectors and leading museums build meaningful collections of Himalayan art, each object chosen not only for its beauty but for its cultural and historical significance.

Iwona’s curatorial vision is informed by over three decades of experience, beginning at San Francisco’s Xanadu Gallery, where she helped shape its standing as a leading destination for traditional Himalayan, Chinese, and tribal art. Her long-standing connections to the Himalayas are rooted in years of travel and research, forming a deep personal and professional understanding of the region’s artistic heritage.

Since 2015, Iwona has been joined by Chino Roncoroni, a highly respected dealer and scholar of Himalayan and Central Asian art. Known for his discerning eye and integrity, Chino’s influence extends across decades, from his contributions to international collections to his pivotal role in organising the Art Institute of Chicago’s landmark 2003 exhibition “Himalayas: An Aesthetic Adventure.” Together, Iwona and Chino bring not only deep expertise but a palpable sense of passion and respect to their work, evident in every detail of their stand.

What sets Tenzing Asian Art apart at Frieze Masters is the way in which these historic pieces are presented, not as relics of the past, but as living expressions of cultural identity and artistic mastery. The result is a space that feels both scholarly and soulful, where centuries-old craftsmanship continues to inspire new appreciation among contemporary audiences.

Tomasso

One of my favourite stands at this year’s Frieze Masters was Tomasso, a gallery that embodies the beauty of simplicity. The presentation was understated yet precise, allowing a select range of sculptures to shine. Each piece was carefully chosen to showcase the artistry, technique, and elegance of the craft. There was a quiet refinement to the stand that made it a pleasure to explore, offering moments of discovery at every turn.

Founded in 1993 in Leeds, Yorkshire, by brothers Dino and Raffaello Tomasso, the gallery specialises in European Sculpture, Master Paintings, and Ancient Art, and is recognised internationally for its expertise in European Renaissance bronzes. Over the past three decades, Dino and Raffaello have collaborated with some of the world’s leading museums, including the Bode Museum in Berlin, The Liechtenstein Collection, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Yale Center for British Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

The Tomasso brothers opened their first London gallery in 2010, and today operate from Bardon Hall in Leeds and Marquis House on Jermyn Street, St James’s; a historic hub for the city’s most prestigious art galleries. Over the past 25 years, they have made significant rediscoveries in European Sculpture, Master Paintings, and Ancient Greek and Roman Sculpture, documented in the gallery’s anniversary publication, XXV.

Beyond their commercial work, Dino and Raffaello are dedicated supporters of cultural institutions worldwide, lending artworks and sponsoring exhibitions including Hans von Aachen: Court Artist in Europe at Prague Castle (2010), Bronzeat the Royal Academy of Arts (2012), and Lost Treasures of Strawberry Hill at Strawberry Hill House Trust. The gallery also contributes to art education, supporting work placements and scholarships for Art History students at the University of Leeds and the University of Leicester.

At Frieze Masters, Tomasso’s thoughtful curation and focus on quality over quantity created a stand that was both intellectually and visually rewarding — a celebration of craftsmanship that resonated long after I left.

Offer Waterman

A fixture of London’s art scene for more than 25 years, Offer Waterman has built an international reputation for its exceptional 20th-century and contemporary art. Founded in Chelsea in 1996, the gallery now occupies a five-storey Georgian townhouse on St. George Street in Mayfair, a former showroom for William Morris & Co. Spread across three exhibition floors, with a library and research centre on the fifth, the space offers a relaxed, understated environment that encourages visitors to engage deeply with the works on display.

The gallery’s approachable and knowledgeable team is dedicated to helping collectors at every level build remarkable, individual collections. Over the years, Offer Waterman has become known for its historically significant exhibitions, including Frank Auerbach, Early Works (2012), David Hockney, Early Drawings (2015), Robert Rauschenberg: Transfer Drawings from the 1960s and 1970s (2016), and William Turnbull, Centenary Exhibition (2022). In 2023, the gallery collaborated with fashion designer Jonathan Anderson on On Foot, an exhibition that placed 20th-century British art in dialogue with Anderson’s designs and contemporary works by other artists. Most recently, in autumn 2024, Frank Auerbach: Portraits of London, produced with Francis Outred, presented 25 major landscapes from private and museum collections and drew over 5,000 visitors.

Beyond its exhibitions, Offer Waterman is an established benefactor of museums and arts organisations, supporting projects such as the Tate’s David Hockney retrospective (2017); the Royal Academy of Arts exhibitions Lucian Freud: The Self-portraits (2019) and David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy (2020); and Barbara Hepworth: Art and Life at the Hepworth Wakefield (2021–22). In 2023, the gallery sponsored two major exhibitions by leading female artists: Lucie Rie: The Adventure of Pottery at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, and Gwen John: Art and Life in Paris and London at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.

At its core, Offer Waterman remains committed to sourcing and presenting exceptional works of art. With a continually evolving inventory and an innovative exhibition programme, the gallery complements its presence at major international art fairs while offering collectors and visitors alike the opportunity to experience the depth, nuance, and enduring appeal of 20th Century and contemporary art.

Frestonian Gallery

The Frestonian Gallery showcased a range of Adrian Berg’s work, which was a rare combination of place, process, and poetic resonance. Each painting returns to the landscape that inspired it, set beside the Gloucester Gate of Regent’s Park, where Berg lived and worked for nearly twenty years. The canvases capture his daily passage through the park; the shifting light, the changing seasons, and the ordered beauty of nature, forming a decades-long visual love letter to Regent’s Park, rediscovered on his own doorstep.

Founded in London in 2017, Frestonian Gallery is committed to promoting modern and contemporary art and representing artists from diverse backgrounds and generations. Central to its approach is the belief in the power of partnership, fostering long-term, energising relationships with artists, collectors, curators, institutions, and academics, both in the UK and internationally.

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The gallery occupies The People’s Hall to the west of Holland Park, a historic building once at the heart of the ‘Republic of Frestonia’; an extraordinary 1977 protest movement that declared independence from the United Kingdom and even applied for UN membership. Through the 1980s, the hall became a creative hub for writers, artists, musicians, and cultural activists. Today, Frestonian Gallery channels this spirit of independence, curiosity, and bold artistic expression, creating exhibitions that feel both intimate and intellectually invigorating.

At Frieze Masters, their presentation of Adrian Berg exemplified this ethos; a thoughtful, measured curation that allowed the subtle power of each landscape to speak for itself, leaving visitors with a deep sense of connection to both the artist and the places that shaped his vision.

Axel Vervoordt

Axel Vervoordt’s stand never fails to captivate with its signature blend of elegance, restraint, and timeless beauty. This year was no exception; the presentation offered a serene and contemplative space in which each object could be fully appreciated, from ancient antiquities to carefully selected works of modern and contemporary art. The gallery’s approach feels effortless yet profoundly considered, inviting visitors to experience the subtle dialogue between past and present, material and form.

Founded in Belgium, Axel Vervoordt has long been renowned for his refined aesthetic, which balances simplicity and sophistication across his galleries, residences, and curated collections worldwide. The gallery represents a unique intersection of expertise in antiquities, fine art, design, and objets d’art, drawing international collectors and institutions who share a passion for exceptional craftsmanship and enduring quality.

At Frieze Masters, the Vervoordt stand exemplified the gallery’s ethos: each piece was allowed to breathe within the space, creating moments of quiet reflection and discovery. The careful curation demonstrated not only the intrinsic value of each work but also how Vervoordt’s vision transforms historical objects into living elements within a contemporary narrative. It is this ability to marry history, materiality, and design sensibility that makes Axel Vervoordt such a compelling presence at the fair, year after year.

Exploring Frieze Masters is always a journey through time, where history, craftsmanship, and contemporary dialogue intersect in unexpected and inspiring ways. This year’s fair offered moments of quiet discovery alongside bold curatorial statements, reminding visitors of the enduring power of art to connect past and present. From the carefully considered sculptures of Tomasso to the poetic landscapes of Adrian Berg at Frestonian Gallery, and the timeless elegance of Axel Vervoordt, each stand revealed a story; of place, process, and passion. Whether seeking historical insight, contemporary resonance, or simply the joy of encountering extraordinary works, Frieze Masters remains a highlight of London’s art calendar, and a testament to the continued vitality and relevance of collecting and experiencing art across the centuries.