Rules are made to be broken seems to be the spirit of Art Basel Paris which has lifted its previous diktat on nothing pre-20th century by allowing Gagosian to bring an old master to what is very much a modern and contemporary show.
The painting in question - Peter Paul Rubens’s The Virgin and Christ Child, with Saints Elizabeth and John the Baptist - was given special authorization to be included in the main sector of the fair.
The gallery says the rules were changed "in recognition of its exceptional quality and its resonance with other modern and contemporary works in Gagosian’s booth".
It will be on show alongside more typical Art Basel fare including work by John Currin, Jadé Fadojutimi, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin and Jenny Saville.
Art Basel's rival Frieze has run a separate Masters fair featuring historic paintings alongside its contemporary London event for several years.