On February 26, Budapest’s most significant art showcase, Art and Antique, opens its doors at the Bálna. At the exhibition and fair, held for the eighth time, more than 50 renowned galleries and auction houses will participate, and thousands of artworks will be on display across a larger area than ever before.

Among the items offered for sale is a special collection of documents containing the handwritten signatures of every President of the United States. Visitors can also see a painting by József Rippl-Rónai, a 500-year-old Buddha statue, and numerous remarkable artworks, photographs, pieces of furniture, jewelry, tapestries, and sculptures.

At the press opening of the Art and Antique exhibition and fair, the Central Antiquarian Bookshop presented a historical rarity: a collection of documents bearing the signatures of U.S. presidents. This diverse material includes official state appointments and oath documents, personal letters, copper engravings, and signed photographs. The significance of the collection lies in its completeness – assembling a series that covers every president is now an almost impossible challenge. Everyone visiting the fair can view the collection, valued at HUF 145 million. The antiquarian’s stand will also display Attila József’s handwritten Christmas message to his first love.

The public can also admire never-before-seen works by two major internationally recognized figurative painters of Hungarian origin, Tibor Csernus and István Sándorfi, at the Kálmán Makláry Fine Arts stand.

Almost every adult Hungarian is likely familiar with Zwack’s iconic “shipwrecked man” Unicum poster, which has been reproduced countless times. However, the original 1909 version is an exceptionally rare treasure, and it will be presented at the Budapest Poster Gallery stand.

The selection of more than fifty galleries and auction houses includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry, watches, and rugs between February 26 and March 1 – with extended opening hours until 9 PM on Saturday. The offer ranges from centuries-old art treasures to Hungarian and international contemporary works. The program will also be enriched by guided tours, presentations, and prize draws.

“Art and Antique is the best program for art lovers during these four days. The exhibition and fair captivates collectors while also offering an unforgettable, colorful, and easygoing experience to those who enjoy getting lost in the diverse world of artworks and galleries. As organizers, our goal has always been to present the very best of the Hungarian art and art trade scene. We are pleased that today tens of thousands of people already mark the Art and Antique dates in their calendars in advance” – said Ádám Tausz, the event’s chief organizer.

Participating galleries: acb Galéria, Amikor Galéria, Ar2day Gallery, ARTCORE Art & Design, BÁV ART Aukciósház és Galéria, Budapest Poster Gallery, Cogito Art Galéria, Csók István Galéria és Antikvitás, Dávid Galéria, Einspach & Czapolai Fine Art, Equilor Wealth Office, Erdész Galéria, Faur Zsófi Galéria, Földvári Books, INDA Galéria, Initio Arts and Design, K Galéria, Kálmán Makláry Fine Arts, Kilim Szőnyeg, Kisterem Galéria, Kordás Galéria, Központi Antikvárium, Lumas Galéria, Medgyessy-Kovács Galéria, Moró Antik Galéria, NACO, Nagyházi Galéria és Aukciósház, NÁSFA Antik Galéria, Nemes Galéria, Neo Deco, Neves Kor-Társ Galéria, Noble Art Nexus, November Galéria, Ódon-Fon Antiques & Prop House, Opera Antikvitás, Orgona 22 Galéria, Primtex&Bernabo Art-Furniture, ProArt Frame, RCB Random Contemporary Budapest/Balaton, Rechnitzer Galéria, Roland Gyetvai Works of Art, SCH-Galéria, SVD Ékszer, Szikra Galéria, The Space Gallery, TOBE Gallery | TOBE Project, Viltin Galéria, Vintage Galéria, Virág Judit Galéria, Woodelier, WOP Galéria Budapest.