Once a prestigious art event, the Paris Biennale ends after 60-year run

The event has declined over the years following a forgery scandal and competition from other fairs

A view of the nave of the Grand Palais, once the home of the Paris Biennale. The event is now ending its decades-long run, though organisers are working on a new event that will be held in a semi-permanent structure outside the Grand Palais. AFPShow less

Once a prestigious art and design event in the French capital, the Paris Biennale is ending its six-decade run, The Art Newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Established in 1959 by the Syndicat National des Antiquaires (SNA), the show was held at the Grand Palais, and offered an expansive selection of works, from antiquities and jewellery to art and textile works. In recent years, however, the event has fallen out of favour, particularly following a scandal in 2016, where its antique dealers faced charges of forgery.

Over the years, other art fairs such as Frieze and The European Fine Art Fair (Tefaf) have challenged the Paris Biennale's appeal and attendance has fallen dramatically. The SNA's decision to convert it into an annual event in 2016 failed to help, and The Art Newspaper reports that its visitor numbers shrunk from 90,000 in 2012 to 32,000 in 2017.

Covid-19 has also had an impact, with the Biennale's 2020 iteration cancelled because of the pandemic. However, its online auction with Christie's did not meet its estimate of €7 million ($8.3m) to €10m ($11.9m), instead bringing in only €1.5m ($1.7m).

A new event will replace the Paris Biennale in November, though details on what it will offer have yet to be announced. It is reported to include antique dealers, jewellers, watchmakers and other luxury craftsmen. The event will be held in a semi-permanent structure close to the Grand Palais as the historic site is undergoing reconstruction.