Editor’s Note: A few weeks after this interview, Robert Noortman died on January 14, 2007, of a heart attack.

Robert Noortman, 60, commanded a pivotal position in the art world as a Netherlands-based Old Masters dealer and founding director of The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF). The Maastricht, Holland, show attracted more than 83,000 in attendance last year, and the latest event (March 9–18), is expected to host even more art fans since contemporary art is now a major part of the dealers’ offerings.

One example of Noortman’s extraordinary prescience in jumpstarting TEFAF is the growth of the dealer roster. The first edition of that fair—held 32 years ago—began with a mere 26 dealers. Now it’s a 220-dealer event, stamped with an international “museum seal of approval.” Attendance for museum directors, curators and trustees was up approximately 30 percent in 2006, and included representatives from major fine arts institutions throughout Europe and the United States.

A second indicator of Noortman’s expertise is the “Best Catalogue Published by TEFAF Exhibitors Award” last March. Collectors and curators alike are still clamoring for his 100 Old Masters catalogue, packed with choice paintings and drawings. Throughout the year, his Maastricht gallery, Noortman Master Paintings—which was sold in June 2006 to Sotheby’s Holdings for shares in the auction house worth approximately $56.5 million—is a mandatory stop for connoisseur collectors and novices alike.

WHAT ARE THE ATTRACTIONS TO OLD MASTERS, BOTH ARTISTICALLY AND FINANCIALLY?
They are extremely beautiful and important paintings from critical junctures in both history and art history. Plus, they are still relatively cheap—for the cost of a Richard Prince oil painted only a few years ago, you can get a major Dutch 17th-century marine painting from Ludolf Backhuysen.

WHAT HAS MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE OLD MASTERS MARKET?
Dealers. Simply look at the growth of TEFAF, which was started by dealers and last year drew directors, curators and trustees from more than 110 museums, including the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.