Every June, Art Basel reminds us where the modern art fair tradition began. The gold standard of art fairs since its founding in 1970, the Swiss fair is both sprawling and exacting, with top galleries from around the world offering a sweeping view of the commercial art market now—from buzzy emerging names to breathtaking blue-chip masters. The fair itself is very much the center of gravity, but the city has more to offer. Basel may be one of the most enjoyable fair weeks precisely because its li...

Every June, Art Basel reminds us where the modern art fair tradition began. The gold standard of art fairs since its founding in 1970, the Swiss fair is both sprawling and exacting, with top galleries from around the world offering a sweeping view of the commercial art market now—from buzzy emerging names to breathtaking blue-chip masters. The fair itself is very much the center of gravity, but the city has more to offer. Basel may be one of the most enjoyable fair weeks precisely because its li...