This March, the beloved art fair Salon du Dessin returns to the City of Light with a showcase of leading historic, Modern, and contemporary art. Hosted at the glittering Palais Brongniart, the fair runs from March 20–25, coinciding with Drawing Week (La Semaine du Dessin) and numerous satellite shows and sales. The Salon du Dessin will once again host 39 exhibitors, including four galleries making their debut: Paolo Antonacci, Emanuel von Bayer, François Delestre Fine Arts, and Gallery 1900–2000—the last of which is slated to feature a range of Surrealist and 20th-century avant-garde works on paper.

Fernando Botero, Femme au collier de perles (1999). Courtesy of Galerie Berès.

As the art world converges on Paris for Drawing Week, Salon du Dessin serves as a focal point for the myriad art events—in part due to its founding of the weeklong affair, which is in its 24th consecutive year. Drawing Week is an off-site program for visitors to explore, which is planed in partnership with roughly 20 institutions, including the Musée d’Art Moderne Centre Pompidou, the Musée des Art Décoratifs, and the Archives Nationales.

This year, the  Fondation Dubuffet has been invited to exhibit at the fair, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of its founding. Exhibiting 55 carefully selected works on paper dating between 1935 and 1985, the presentation will emphasize Jean Dubuffet’s singular innovation and aesthetic range.

Edme Bouchardon, Médée sur un char tiré par des dragons ailés (1723/1732). Courtesy of Didier Aaron and Cie.

One of the core themes of the fair is rooted in the annual International Meetings of the Salon de Dessin, which for the 32nd edition is titled “Traveling Artists: Forms and Functions of Travel Drawing.” Led by Curator of Old Master and 19th Century Drawings at the Debra and Leon Black Collection, New York, Marco Simone Bolzoni; the event will draw sharp focus on the art historical period between the Renaissance and 17th century.

Gian Domenico Tiepolo, La rencontre de Jésus et Zachée (n.d.). Courtesy of Éric Coatalem.

Speaking of what’s in store at the upcoming edition, Salon du Dessin President Louis de Bayser said, “The selection will include drawings from the Renaissance to the 21st century in all the different schools. You will see in the fair drawings from Jacques de Gheyn (17th century Northern schools at Haboldt-Pictura), 18th century French and Italian artists (Edmé Bouchardon at Paul Prouté or Giambattista Tiepolo at Härb-Nuti), as well as 19th century drawings from other countries such as a Mary Cassatt pastel (at Galerie Eric Coatalem), a strange Alfred Kubin drawing (at Ambroise Duchemin) or a Fernand Khnopff portrait (at Lancz Gallery).The 20th century is well-represented with an extensive selection of drawings from major movements, such as Surrealism (at Galerie 1900-2000) showing works ranging from Gino Severini (at Bottegantica) to Jean Dubuffet (at Galerie de la Présidence), and Frantisek Kupka (at Galerie Berès and Galerie Antoine Laurentin), through to a 1999 Sol Le Witt gouache (at Zeit Contemporary Art).”

Mary Cassatt, Portrait de Pierre (ca. 1906). Courtesy of Éric Coatalem.

Together with its multi-decade history of showcasing some of the world’s premier art and artists, the forthcoming edition of the Salon de Dessin promises to further solidify its standing not only as a stalwart Parisian art event, but an international one as well.

Salon du Dessin will be held March 20–25, 2024, at the Palais Brongniart, Paris.