A Historic Return of Art Capital 2026 to the Grand Palais
Art Capital 2026 marks a major milestone for the international contemporary art scene with its iconic return beneath the glass roof of the Grand Palais in Paris. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this landmark event confirms its status as Europe’s leading contemporary art salon, bringing together artists, collectors, and cultural institutions from around the world.
Held under the high patronage of the President of the French Republic and the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Réunion des Musées Nationaux and the City of Paris, this anniversary edition stands as a global reference point for contemporary artistic creation and the international art market.
From February 12 to 15, 2026, more than 3,000 artists from over 40 countries and an audience of approximately 50,000 collectors, curators, and art professionals converged in the French capital for one of the most influential art events of the year.
Art Capital : An International Salon Uniting Four Historic Institutions
Art Capital distinguishes itself through its unique format, bringing together four historic salons under one prestigious banner:
- Salon des Artistes Français
- Salon Dessin et Peinture à l’eau
- Salon Comparaisons
- Salon des Artistes Indépendants
This exceptional convergence positions Art Capital as an essential platform for the discovery of emerging talents, intercultural dialogue, and the promotion of international artistic excellence.
ANKHART: A Strong International Curatorial Vision Since 2018
Since 2018, ANKHART has established itself as a key curatorial force within Art Capital, presenting each year a refined selection of leading international contemporary artists. For the 2026 edition, the gallery showcased ten outstanding artists across the Salon des Artistes Français, Salon Dessin et Peinture à l’eau, and the prestigious IN SITU sector dedicated to solo exhibitions.
This presence reaffirms ANKHART’s mission: to support ambitious contemporary creation, foster international artistic mobility, and build bridges between institutions, the art market, and global collectors.
Artistic Distinctions: Institutional Recognition and Technical Excellence
The 2026 edition was marked by the distinction of emerging artist JIANG Wei, awarded the Bronze Medal at the Salon des Artistes Français. The Salon’s president praised the technical mastery and remarkable sensitivity of her work, highlighting the growing recognition of artists supported by ANKHART.
In the highly selective IN SITU sector, limited to only 32 artists worldwide, two artists recommended by ANKHART were selected.
This dual selection reflects the gallery’s curatorial relevance and its expanding international influence within contemporary art networks.
Commercial Success and Rising International Collector Interest
Beyond institutional recognition, Art Capital 2026 also confirmed the vitality of the contemporary art market. ANKHART secured four on-site sales during the fair:
- two works by Yaki LI
- two works by Dake
These acquisitions underscore the growing interest of international collectors in the artists presented by ANKHART and in emerging global art scenes.
ART CAPITAL 2026 : A Global Platform for Contemporary Art
By combining curatorial rigor, cultural dialogue, and market dynamism, Art Capital 2026 at the Grand Palais establishes itself as a key global stage for contemporary artistic excellence.
This anniversary edition confirms Paris as a central hub within the international art ecosystem and highlights the decisive role of curatorial platforms such as ANKHART in discovering and promoting emerging talents.
At the dawn of new collaborations and within a constantly evolving art market, Art Capital continues its mission: to provide exceptional visibility for contemporary creation and to strengthen artistic exchanges on a global scale.