Muzeu Braga, Portugal’s newest art museum bridging art and critical thought

Portuguese construction and engineering group DST has opened Muzeu, a contemporary art museum in Braga's historic center, housed in a former courthouse redesigned by architect José Carvalho Araújo. The inaugural exhibition, 'Sejamos realistas, exijamos o impossível' (Let us be realistic, let us demand the impossible), features works by international artists Alex Katz, Nan Goldin, Annie Leibovitz, and Anselm Kiefer alongside leading Portuguese artists such as Ângela Ferreira, Pedro Calapez, and Ana Vidigal. DST CEO José Teixeira, who has built one of Portugal's most significant private art collections, aims to position the museum as a cultural anchor for the city.

Highlights from New Orleans Auction Galleries' Spring Fine Art and Design Sale

New Orleans Auction Galleries has announced its Spring Fine Art and Design sale, scheduled for April 23, 2026. The auction will feature 279 lots spanning over a century of artistic production, highlighted by significant works from Mexican modernist José Clemente Orozco, Abstract Expressionist Grace Hartigan, and Southern Regionalist John McCrady. The collection explores diverse themes ranging from the metaphysical to social and political commentary through painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

Prague, opening of the exhibition “De Chirico – Painting is the Magical Art”

Prague, opening of the exhibition “De Chirico – Painting is the Magical Art”

The Italian Cultural Institute in Prague has inaugurated a major retrospective titled “De Chirico – Painting is the Magical Art,” dedicated to the master of Metaphysical art. Curated by Lorenzo Canova, the exhibition features over 70 works sourced from prominent private collections across Europe, spanning the artist's career from the 1930s through his final creative years. The display includes his iconic Italian Piazzas, Baroque-inspired horses, and "silent life" still lifes, alongside a significant selection of graphic works and lithographs.

Sotheby’s to hold $141M Modern, Contemporary Art Sale in London

Sotheby’s is preparing to host a major Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale at its London headquarters on March 4. The auction features a high-profile selection of works with a total estimated value exceeding £110 million ($140.8 million), anchored by masterpieces from the impressionist and modern eras.

A Francis Bacon self-portrait and a Surrealist avian painting: our pick of the March auctions

Major auction houses in London are preparing for a series of high-profile sales in March, featuring significant works by Francis Bacon, René Magritte, and Osman Hamdi Bey. Highlights include a 1972 Bacon self-portrait gifted to his doctor following a studio injury, a rare Magritte "leaf-bird" painting appearing at auction for the first time in 25 years, and a monumental 19th-century work by Turkish artist Osman Hamdi Bey being sold by the Penn Museum.

Comment | Reflecting on my father’s art and life on the occasion of his posthumous exhibition

The article is a personal essay by the author reflecting on the life and art of their father, Samuel Kahn (1927-2007), a self-taught artist and clinical psychologist who struggled with bipolar depression. A posthumous exhibition titled "Samuel Kahn, Ph.D. + Friends" opens on 29 January at the Gordon Art Galleries at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, featuring around 50 of his wood-carvings, paintings, and sketches. The author describes how they once believed their father had wasted his life, but now sees his vibrant, untrained works as a source of joy and connection.

St. Peterburg Museum of Art showcases Caravaggio masterpieces

The St. Petersburg Museum of Art in Florida is hosting "In Caravaggio's Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi," the first U.S. exhibition of 40 Baroque paintings from the private collection of art historian Roberto Longhi. The centerpiece is Caravaggio's "Boy Bitten by a Lizard," one of two Caravaggio works in the show, which runs until March 22. Curator Dr. Stanton Thomas notes the exhibition is designed to evoke a cinematic, dramatic experience of light and emotion.

In a Billionaire’s Playground, Six Artworks Could Predict the Market

The New York Times reports on a closely watched auction at Christie's in Palm Beach, where six high-value artworks from a billionaire's collection are expected to set market benchmarks. The sale, taking place in the exclusive playground of the ultra-wealthy, features works by artists such as Basquiat and Richter, and is seen as a barometer for the current state of the art market amid economic uncertainty.

Man Ray: When Objects Dream

The article presents an extensive list of artworks by the avant-garde artist Man Ray, spanning from 1914 to the mid-1940s. It includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, and readymades such as "Cadeau (Gift)" (1921), "The Rope Dancer Accompanies Herself with Her Shadows" (1916), and "L’énigme d’Isidore Ducasse" (1920). Many entries are marked "Returned to lender," indicating these works were part of a loan exhibition that has now concluded, with pieces being sent back to their respective owners.

How Javier Milei’s war on history is threatening art spaces in Argentina

Argentina's President Javier Milei has escalated his campaign to rewrite the history of the country's 1976-1983 dictatorship by closing art and human-rights spaces on the grounds of the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory in Buenos Aires, a former clandestine prison turned memorial and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In January, the Haroldo Conti Cultural Centre was shuttered for 'internal restructuring,' with 50 of its 87 employees fired; in early April, the government halted operations at Espacio Memoria, suspending salary payments and funding pending an audit. Both centres are public institutions managed by the Human Rights Secretariat, which has undergone mass layoffs and changes under Milei's administration.

Heikki Marila's exhibition

The Sara Hildén Art Museum in Tampere, Finland, opens a major retrospective of Finnish painter Heikki Marila on February 8, covering thirty years of his career. The exhibition features both new and previously unseen works, tracing Marila's evolution from early 1990s paintings critiquing power, Finnish national identity, and social structures—such as *Parliament house* (1996)—to later series inspired by the Isenheim Altarpiece, 17th-century Dutch flower paintings, and Baroque celestial imagery. Highlights include his Carnegie Art Award-winning flower paintings from 2011, the *Jacob’s Wrestling* triptych (2014), and recent works like *The Bolt series* (2024) that address contemporary violence.

Korea's longest-running art fair to open with largest exhibition to date in April

The Galleries Association of Korea has announced that the 2025 Galleries Art Fair will be its largest edition since its inception in 1979. Opening on April 8 at the Coex convention center in Seoul, the fair will feature 169 member galleries, including major names like Kukje Gallery and Gana Art. The event will include a "Zoom In" section highlighting 10 emerging artists and a special archival exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Galleries Association of Korea.

The best exhibitions to see in London this weekend

The Financial Times' critics have curated a list of the most compelling art exhibitions to see in London during 2026, featuring shows dedicated to Henry Moore, Cecily Brown, Tracey Emin, and Francisco de Zurbarán. The recommendations span a range of styles and periods, from modern sculpture to contemporary painting and Baroque still lifes, offering a diverse cultural itinerary for weekend visitors.

Il Padiglione Italia alla Biennale? “Deve essere uno spazio di possibilità”. Intervista alla curatrice

The article announces Chiara Camoni's project "Con te con tutto" for the Italian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, curated by Cecilia Canziani. The project emphasizes relational and communal practices, rejecting the identity-driven rhetoric of national representation. It stems from a fifteen-year dialogue between artist and curator, incorporating workshops, shared readings, and collaborative works like "La Giusta Misura." The pavilion is conceived as an ecosystem of artworks, texts, and activations rather than a linear exhibition, with a catalog designed as a critical reader.

Restoration of L’Aquila’s Teatro San Filippo, Damaged by Earthquake, Concludes After 17-Year Closure

Si conclude all’Aquila il recupero del Teatro San Filippo danneggiato dal terremoto. Era chiuso da 17 anni

The Teatro San Filippo in L’Aquila has officially completed a comprehensive restoration process after being shuttered for 17 years due to the devastating 2009 earthquake. The reopening ceremony, attended by Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, marks the return of a historic site that originated as a 17th-century Baroque church before being converted into a theater and artistic hub in the 1970s. The project was funded through a combination of state resources and private donations, including significant contributions from the "Artisti Uniti per l’Abruzzo" initiative.

All of Italy Rediscovers Bice Lazzari: After the Brera Exhibition, the Second Stage Opens at the National Gallery in Rome

Tutt’Italia riscopre Bice Lazzari. Dopo la mostra a Brera, ecco la seconda tappa alla Galleria Nazionale di Roma

The major retrospective "Bice Lazzari: The Languages of Her Time" has arrived at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAMC) in Rome following its debut at Palazzo Citterio in Milan. Curated by Renato Miracco and featuring over 200 works, the exhibition traces the Venetian artist’s journey from her early collaborations with architects to her late-career mastery of abstract painting. The show highlights her constant experimentation across various media, including textiles and jewelry, before she fully dedicated herself to painting in her fifties.

Museum Sculptures in Park Sanssouci Return Restored

Musen-Skulpturen im Park Sanssouci kehren restauriert zurück

Eight 18th-century marble sculptures depicting Greek muses have been reinstalled in the western pleasure garden of Park Sanssouci in Potsdam following a six-month restoration project. The works, created by Berlin sculptor Friedrich Christian Glume, represent figures like Melpomene (Tragedy), Klio (History), and Thalia (Comedy) and have been cleaned, repaired, and given a protective coating.

Ella Maillart, intrepid photographer of the 1930s, highlighted in an exhibition in Lausanne

Ella Maillart, photographe baroudeuse des années 30 mise en lumière dans une exposition à Lausanne

Ella Maillart, a Swiss photographer and adventurer from the 1930s, is the subject of a new exhibition in Lausanne. Born in Geneva in 1903, Maillart was an Olympic sailor and champion skier before turning to travel and photography. She journeyed across the Soviet Union, Central Asia, and China, often by train, ski, or camel, documenting remote cultures and political landscapes. Her travels included a 6,000-kilometer trek from Beijing to Kashmir with British writer Peter Fleming, and a road trip from Geneva to Kabul with friend Annemarie Schwarzenbach. The exhibition highlights her photographs and writings, which blend geographical exploration, political chronicle, and personal meditation.

“100% L’Expo”: 5 Young Talents Shaping Today’s Art at La Villette

« 100 % L’Expo » : 5 jeunes talents qui font l’art d’aujourd’hui à La Villette

The Grande Halle de La Villette in Paris is hosting "100% L’Expo," a major showcase featuring emerging talents from art schools across France. Curated by Inès Geoffroy, this year’s edition highlights a diverse range of multidisciplinary installations focusing on themes of living ecosystems, diasporic memories, and new spiritualities. Notable participants include Zoé Saudrais, whose work blends activism with ceramics and textiles, and Joséphine Berthou, who presents a tense, two-screen video installation exploring social aggression.

Even More Drawings for Versailles

Encore d'autres dessins pour Versailles

The Palace of Versailles has acquired several drawings during the Paris Drawing Week sales in March 2026, including a rare study by Charles de La Fosse for the royal chapel's dome decoration. The drawing, depicting a reclining nude man for "The Resurrection of Christ," was purchased at the Rossini auction of Paul and Florence Vercier's collection for €3,800. This acquisition adds to Versailles' growing collection of La Fosse works, following earlier purchases of an angel study in 2016 and a ceiling project in 2023.

Fresh voices of Pakistani art

The Islamabad Art Gallery has launched 'Souch Say Saqafat Tak,' a landmark exhibition showcasing the debut works of recent art school graduates from across Pakistan. Curated by Raheel Arshad in collaboration with Khyal Art Space, the show features a diverse array of mediums including digital glitches, traditional calligraphy, and abstract portraiture. The opening event drew significant cultural figures, including writer Irfan Ahmed Urfi and photographer Mobeen Ansari, highlighting a collective effort to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025: honouring strength, vision and legacy

The City of Perth (Boorloo) is celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025 from 6 to 13 July, marking 50 years of honoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,' is highlighted through a NAIDOC Week Exhibition at Council House Foyer (7 July–15 August), featuring works from emerging and established artists, supported by Mossenson Galleries and the Janet Holmes à Court Collection. Events include an Artist in Conversation with Tyrown Waigana on 9 July, the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony on 5 July, and cultural performances by Wadumbah. Other city-wide events include the Goologoolup NAIDOC Screenings and the Wangening Bardip – Healing Stories Through First Nations Art exhibition.

Winners of LCE photographer of the year 2026 – in pictures

The London Camera Exchange has announced the winners of its 2026 Photographer of the Year competition, which received nearly 14,500 entries across 14 categories. The overall winner is UK-based retired teacher Sophia Spurgin for her spontaneous portrait 'Fish Eyes,' capturing a fisherman in Hoi An, Vietnam. Other category winners include Colin Page, Dikye Ariani, and Brooke Shaden.

Proof of life — Curator’s Choice celebrates Nelson Mandela Bay’s creative pulse

The Curator’s Choice exhibition at Art on Target in Nelson Mandela Bay showcases 10 selected artists, ranging from emerging talents to established practitioners, including an octogenarian and recent graduates. The show, now in its third year, is an offshoot of the annual Same Size-Same Price-No Signature exhibition and was curated by Art on Target director Bretten-Anne Moolman. Artists were chosen by a diverse panel of over 20 local professionals, educators, and art lovers, and were given eight months to prepare new works for the exhibition, which opened on 13 May.

Inside the Mint Museum’s 4-year quest to bring rare Caravaggio show to Charlotte

The Mint Museum in Charlotte has successfully secured a rare exhibition featuring the works of Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, culminating a complex four-year negotiation process. This landmark show marks a significant achievement for the regional institution, bringing world-class masterpieces that are seldom seen outside of major European capitals or top-tier global museums to North Carolina.

Michaelina Wautier: a ‘compelling’ and revealing exhibition

The exhibition of Michaelina Wautier’s work introduces audiences to a long-overlooked master of the 17th-century Baroque period. Born in Mons around 1614, Wautier operated within the elite circles of the Spanish Netherlands, sharing a studio with her brother Charles and securing patronage from the court of the Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. Despite her technical brilliance and ability to navigate complex historical and religious subjects, her name remained largely absent from the art historical canon until this recent reappraisal.

All Florida Exhibition selections explore identity, history and place

The Alliance for the Arts has launched its 40th Annual All Florida Exhibition, featuring 43 artworks selected from over 450 submissions across the state. Juried by Tim Jaeger, the director and chief curator of galleries at Ringling College, the exhibition showcases a diverse range of media including hyper-realist paintings, abstract works, and free-standing sculptures. The selected pieces by 39 different artists explore cohesive themes of identity, history, and place.

Arts Open – an exhibition growing with every year

The 2025 Arts Open by Guernsey Arts has opened at the George Crossan Gallery in St Peter Port, featuring over 130 artworks from 132 artists. The exhibition includes a wide range of media from oils and acrylics to embroidery and crochet, and drew a large crowd at its private preview event, with queues stretching through the Market Buildings. Organizers Louise Le Pelley and Jared Fox highlighted the inclusive, no-judgment submission process that welcomes both professional artists and first-time exhibitors.

PROGETTO, a new project space for contemporary art opened in Lecce

A new contemporary art space called Progetto opened in Lecce, Italy, on June 28, 2019, with a solo exhibition titled "fortaleza" by artist ektor garcia. Founded by artist Jamie Sneider, who splits time between the United States and Puglia, the space is located in a 16th-century building in the ancient Jewish quarter of the baroque city. Progetto will host international artists for short residencies and exhibitions, fostering dialogue with the region's history and landscape.

BU Art Galleries Announces Summer 2025 Exhibitions

Boston University Art Galleries has announced its summer 2025 exhibitions, featuring two shows opening June 5 on BU's Charles River Campus. 'Boston Young Contemporaries 2025' is a cross-institutional exhibition showcasing work from current and recent MFA graduates of BU, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, juried by curator Selby Nimrod. The second exhibition, 'Nothing Matches Everything Shines,' presents multimedia installations by artist Loretta Park in the 808 Gallery windows, curated by Madeleine Delpha, using found objects and traditional handcraft to challenge conventional notions of beauty and value.