Everything you need to know about Henri Matisse, star of the Grand Palais this spring

Tout ce qu’il faut savoir sur Henri Matisse, star du Grand Palais ce printemps

The Grand Palais in Paris is hosting a major retrospective focusing on the final masterpieces of Henri Matisse, the pioneer of Fauvism. The exhibition highlights the artist's late-career reinvention between 1941 and 1954, featuring his innovative gouache cut-outs, illustrated books, and stained glass designs created while he was bedridden in Nice.

Masterpieces of Art Modeled and Printed in Ultra-High Definition: The Challenge Met by LITO

Des chefs-d’œuvre de l’art modélisés et imprimés en très haute définition : le défi relevé par LITO

Beaux Arts Magazine partnered with the Austrian printing and publishing company LITO to stage a challenge at its 500th-issue launch party. Guests were asked to identify the authentic 15th-century painting by Giovanni Bellini's circle from among four seemingly identical works, three of which were ultra-high-definition reproductions created by LITO. The company's patented modeling and printing technology replicates the texture of brushstrokes, varnish sheen, canvas grain, and even craquelure with unprecedented precision.

whitney biennial technology machine human artists 1234777663

The 2026 Whitney Biennial features a wave of artists grappling with the unsettling intersection of human identity and advanced technology. Works by Cooper Jacoby and Isabelle Frances McGuire highlight a shift away from the sleek, optimistic 'Y2K' tech aesthetic toward a 'techno-horror' that explores data extraction and biometric surveillance. Jacoby’s 'Estate' series uses AI-generated scripts derived from the social media data of deceased individuals, while McGuire’s sculptures utilize 3D medical scans to create distorted, ghostly figures that blur the line between the organic and the digital.

european alliance artistic freedom pledge morning links march 3 2026 1234775415

The European Alliance of Academies has launched 'Re:Create Europe,' a four-year, $2 million initiative designed to safeguard artistic freedom and cultural autonomy across the continent. Funded largely by the European Union, the program will provide financial aid, residencies, and digital resources to artists and institutions facing political censorship, economic precarity, and the impacts of war. Notable beneficiaries include Madrid’s Círculo de Bellas Artes, which will receive funding to offset recent politically motivated local budget cuts.

andrew norman wilson baffler naomi scott new music video 1234771154

Video artist Andrew Norman Wilson, known for a viral 2024 essay in The Baffler about artist precarity, has directed a new music video for British actress and singer Naomi Scott's song "Losing You." Scott, famous for playing Princess Jasmine in Disney's 2019 live-action Aladdin, is releasing her debut full-length album F.I.G. in March. The music video, which Wilson directed, produced, wrote, and edited, is described as disjointed, claustrophobic, and strange, featuring close-ups, mirrors, and a roast chicken tattooed with a broken heart.

centre pompidou grand palais space financial constraints 1234769966

The Centre Pompidou has relinquished one of its two exhibition spaces at the Grand Palais in Paris, citing financial constraints faced by both institutions. The smaller space, known as Gallery 8, was being used for notable programming, including a planned photography exhibition for the bicentennial of the medium, which has now been canceled. The decision follows low attendance for shows like the Art Brut collection of filmmaker Bruno Decharme, and a reported €10 million shortfall at the Grand Palais in 2025, compounded by renovation cost overruns.

barnes foundations coo heritage auctions sales 1234769339

The Barnes Foundation has promoted Will Cary to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, where he will oversee new revenue initiatives, the Calder Gardens partnership, and a newly formed Brand department. Bukia Vakhania Gallery (formerly Gallery Artbeat) is opening a Berlin location on January 15 with a solo show by Nina Kintsurashvili. Heritage Auctions reported $2.2 billion in sales for 2025, its highest-ever annual total, driven by coins, comics, sports memorabilia, and illustration art. Antenna Space will open a Hong Kong outpost in March 2026, directed by Jeff Li. A Deloitte Private and ArtTactic report reveals that 50% of non-bank art lenders experienced loan defaults in 2024, up from 17% in 2023.

li hei di market analysis 1234769048

Li Hei Di, a young Chinese-born painter based in London, has emerged as one of the most closely watched artists in the ultra-contemporary market despite its recent downturn. Since joining Pace Gallery in September 2024 as its youngest artist, Li's works have appeared at auction 12 times, with eight sales in Hong Kong. Nearly every lot has exceeded expectations, often doubling or tripling high estimates. A standout was the painting *There Was One Summer Returning Over and Over; There Was One Dawn I Grew Old Watching* (2023), which sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong for HK$2.67 million—more than double its high estimate—setting a new auction record. Auction specialists and dealers emphasize that Li's market reflects a slow, sustained buildup rather than a speculative spike, with bidding and buying activity spanning Asia, Europe, and the United States.

hong kong venice biennale kingsley ng angel hui 1234766955

Hong Kong will send two artists, Angel Hui and Kingsley Ng, to represent the special administrative region at the 2026 Venice Biennale, marking the first time a duo has been selected. The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) are collaborating for the first time on the presentation, which will take place at the Campo della Tana as a collateral event. Hui, a gongbi ink painter born in 1991, and Ng, a media artist and associate professor born in 1980, will explore "the poetic rhythms of daily life" in dialogue with the Biennale's main exhibition theme, "In Minor Keys." The selection follows HKADC's decision in April to oust M+ museum as the exhibition's organizer, a role it had held since 2013, without citing a reason.

perez art museum miami gift 7 million caribbean cultural institute 1234765271

The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) has announced two major gifts totaling $7 million for its Caribbean Cultural Institute (CCI). The Mellon Foundation contributed an additional $2 million, while the Green Family Foundation (GFF) donated $5 million, leading to the institute's renaming as the Green Family Foundation Caribbean Cultural Institute. The funds will support operating expenses and the endowment of the CCI, which was originally established in 2019 with a $1 million Mellon grant. The Green Family Foundation, founded by Steven J. Green and Dorothea Green, has deep philanthropic roots in Miami, including ties to Florida International University and local art initiatives. Current CCI fellows include artist M. Florine Démosthène, writer Rianna Jade Parker, and anthropologist Celia Irina González.

sothebys hong kong sells 125 works from japans okada museum for 88 m so founder can settle 50 m legal bill 1234763159

Sotheby's Hong Kong sold 125 works from Japan's Okada Museum of Art in a white-glove auction on Saturday, netting $88 million (plus fees). The sale set auction records for Japanese artists Kitagawa Utamaro and Hokusai, with Utamaro's *Fukagawa in Snow* fetching $7.1 million and Hokusai's *The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa* selling for $2.8 million. The collection was sold by museum founder Kazuo Okada, an 83-year-old billionaire, to settle a $50 million legal bill stemming from a long-running feud with casino magnate Steve Wynn. Okada's law firm, Bartlit Beck, successfully pursued the fee in binding arbitration after Okada contested the amount.

gulf art scene global force 1234757320

The article reports on the rapid expansion of the Gulf art scene, with a packed calendar of events from November to March including Abu Dhabi Art, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, Noor Riyadh, Desert X AlUla, Art Basel Qatar, Art Dubai, and the Sharjah Biennial. Institutional buying is surging as Abu Dhabi prepares to open its Guggenheim, Qatar Museums acquires for the Art Mill, and Saudi Arabia buys for multiple planned museums. The number of collectors is also growing, driven by a "Covid bounce" of high-net-worth individuals relocating from Europe and India to tax-efficient Dubai and Doha, with 6,700 millionaires moving to the UAE in 2024 alone.

sue williamson retrospective iziko south africa 1234747138

Sue Williamson's first-ever retrospective, "There's something I must tell you," is on view at the Iziko National Gallery in Cape Town through September 24, 2025. The exhibition spans five decades of her practice, which combines photography, drawing, and installation to explore themes of memory, remembrance, and the enduring impacts of apartheid and colonialism in South Africa. Key works include the video "There's something I must tell you" (2013), featuring conversations between anti-apartheid activists and their granddaughters; "A Few South Africans" (1982–87), a series of photo etchings celebrating influential women; and the installation "Messages from the Moat" (1997), which memorializes enslaved people brought to Cape Town. A new installation, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (2024), is also featured.

Sonic investigations non-profit to be artist-in-residence at London's Gasworks

The non-profit organization Earshot, founded by artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan, has been awarded a three-year studio bursary at London's Gasworks. The bursary, backed by Spanish patron Mercedes Vilardell, provides an annual stipend and covers monthly rent for a studio space at the south London exhibition and residency space. Earshot uses sound in the defense of human and environmental rights, and the residency gives it a platform to operate independently after an incubation period with Forensic Architecture. Abu Hamdan and Earshot will also take over the Barbican Centre this autumn for an event titled Repercussions, featuring installations, performances, screenings, and live music.

São Paulo Biennial Names Two Rising Brazilian Curators for 2027 Show

The Bienal de São Paulo has appointed Amanda Carneiro and Raphael Fonseca as chief curators for its 37th edition, opening in fall 2027. Both are Brazilian curators: Carneiro is a curator at MASP and previously assisted Adriano Pedrosa on the Venice Biennale's main exhibition; Fonseca, based in Lisbon, also curates the Taiwan Pavilion in Venice and works at Culturgest and the Denver Art Museum. The selection follows the success of Cameroonian curator Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung's 2023 edition.

the every woman biennial champions more than 200 artists heres a look inside 2456943

The fifth edition of the Every Woman Biennial, titled "I Will Always Love You," concludes its run at La MaMa Galleria in New York. Featuring over 200 female and non-binary artists, the salon-style exhibition showcases a diverse range of media including neon sculpture, textiles, and video, alongside a series of high-energy performances. Notable participants include Michele Pred, Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot, and Swoon, with the event maintaining its tradition of honoring the legacy of Whitney Houston while providing an inclusive platform for contemporary creators.

Louvre Robbery: Security Overhaul and Investigation Update

louvre robbery 2701689

The Louvre Museum has announced a massive €80 million ($92 million) security overhaul following a brazen daytime heist on October 19, where thieves stole imperial jewels valued at €88 million. The investigation revealed significant institutional failures, including outdated software and weak passwords like "Louvre," allowing local thieves to enter via a movers' lift and escape on scooters in under seven minutes. While four suspects from the Paris suburbs have been charged, the majority of the stolen items remain unrecovered.

artemisia gentileschi record nga acquisition 2743003

A self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi sold for $5.69 million at Christie’s New York, setting a new auction record for the artist. The painting, *Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria*, is one of only five self-portraits by Gentileschi and is believed to be the earliest, painted when she was around 20 years old in Florence. It far exceeded its presale estimate of $2.5–$3.5 million. On the same day, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., announced its acquisition of another Gentileschi work, *Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy* (circa 1625), funded by a gift from Nina J. Cohen and the Patrons’ Permanent Fund.

national portrait gallery shells record 4 million artemesia gentileschi self portrait 1314446

London's National Gallery has acquired a recently rediscovered self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi, 'Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria' (c. 1615–17), for £3.6 million ($4.7 million). The painting was purchased from a London dealer who had secured it at a Paris auction in December, where it set a new auction record for the artist. The acquisition marks a significant addition to the museum's holdings, as it is only the 21st work by a female artist in its collection of over 2,300 pieces.

editors picks december 17 1412719

Artnet News's weekly roundup highlights six free holiday-themed art installations and events across New York City through early January 2019. Featured works include Bovey Lee's paper snowflake installation 'Flower Knot Snowflake' at 10 Hudson Yards, Studio Cadena's yellow vinyl 'Happy' installation at Flatiron Plaza, David Hoey's window displays at Bergdorf Goodman, a For Freedoms Christmas tree at the New York EDITION hotel, LAB at Rockwell Group's 'Luminaries' light show at Brookfield Place, and a Charles Dickens manuscript exhibition at the Morgan Library & Museum.

tate strike 1902476

More than 100 staff members at the Tate galleries in England began an indefinite strike on August 18, 2020, protesting the institution's plan to cut over 300 jobs from its commercial arm, Tate Enterprises. The PCS union voted overwhelmingly in favor of striking after Tate confirmed 313 redundancies, citing anticipated revenue loss from a long-term drop in visitor numbers due to the pandemic. Workers are demanding that 10% of government bailout funds be invested in Tate commerce, that no redundancies occur while senior staff earn six-figure salaries, and that Tate push for more government aid. The strike has closed several Tate gift shops, with picketing scheduled through August 22 and an indefinite strike from August 24.

pioneer works choke hole performance 2712023

At Brooklyn's Pioneer Works, a drag queen professional wrestling event called Choke Hole, part of artist Raúl de Nieves's exhibition, was disrupted when audience member and performer Chiquitita stormed the stage. She objected to a skit that made light of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations, shouting that 'ICE is not entertainment!' and hurling the microphone into a video screen. The performance, titled ARMAGEDDON, featured an alien queen plot involving nuclear codes and ICE, and Choke Hole later apologized, removing the segment from subsequent shows.

work of the week emily carr 2651164

A painting by Emily Carr, titled *Fir Trees* (ca. 1935), sold for CA$576,000 ($418,370) at Cowley Abbott’s live auction of Canadian and international art in Toronto on May 28, more than doubling its low estimate. The work is a vivid example of Carr’s signature forest scenes, reflecting her deep connection to the British Columbian landscape and her association with the Group of Seven. The auction also saw strong results for other Group of Seven artists, including Franklin Carmichael’s *Old Orchard* (1940) at CAD$768,000, and for Marcelle Ferron’s untitled 1964 abstract painting at CAD$696,000.

laura raicovich circus of life counterpublic 2650113

Writer and curator Laura Raicovich is organizing a weekend-long festival called the "Circus of Life" in St. Louis, Missouri, taking place October 24–26 at the Big Top circus grounds in the Grand Center Arts District. The event is part of Counterpublic, a triennial civic exhibition founded in 2019 by James McAnally, and will feature artists, writers, theater groups, performers, and activists. Raicovich leads a team of four "ringleaders" including Kenneth Bailey, Galen Gritts, Jeanne van Heeswijk, and Nontsikelelo Mutiti, with additional participants such as Chloë Bass, Hilma's Ghost, and Kameelah Janan Rasheed. The program includes performances by Bread and Puppet Theater, conversations with Roxane Gay and Nermeen Shaikh, workshops, a parade, and communal meals, all free and open to the public.

as costs rise dealers in asia take a pragmatic approach to fair participation 2641645

The article reports that two major Asian art fairs, Taipei Dangdai Art and Ideas and Art Busan, are currently running through May 11, but both have seen significant drops in exhibitor numbers. Taipei Dangdai is down 32% to 53 galleries, while Art Busan is off 16% to 109 galleries. Dealers cite rising costs, geopolitical uncertainties, and fair fatigue as reasons for a more selective, pragmatic approach to participation, focusing on regional fairs and transactional value over visibility.

op ed museums gender and pay 2648256

The article examines how gender pay disparities and the fear of a "pink-collar" profession persist in the art museum world, triggered by comments from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about "masculine energy" in the workplace. It recounts a 2020 forum where National Gallery of Art director Kaywin Feldman expressed concern that art museums becoming predominantly female could lower salaries, a remark initially seen as sexist but later contextualized by the author's investigation into the origins of such fears. The author traces the concept to a 2016 New York Times article citing research on how female-dominated fields see pay drops, and explores how even progressive leaders like Feldman can inadvertently perpetuate gender bias.

conclave hidden ritual 2641551

On May 8, 2025, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel signaling the election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost has strong ties to Peru and was appointed Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023. The article explores the secretive process of the papal conclave, noting that 133 cardinals voted under Michelangelo's famed ceilings, and draws parallels to the 2024 film *Conclave* which some cardinals reportedly used for insight.

digital art mile basel 2640132

The Digital Art Mile returns to Basel, Switzerland, from June 16 through 22, 2025, timed to coincide with Art Basel. Organized by Artmeta and staged at the historic Rebgasse, the event features a fair, exhibition, and public program showcasing a wide spectrum of digital and computer-based practices—from 1960s early computer art to humanoid robots and autonomous AI agents. This year's edition includes roughly 11 exhibitors, with solo presentations by Nigerian digital artist Osinachi (at Kate Vass Galerie) and generative artist Tyler Hobbs (via LaCollection), as well as group shows and a conference program exploring themes like the digital art market, AI in generative practices, and institutional engagement with new media. A central exhibition, Paintboxed—part of the Tezos World Tour—examines the legacy of the Paintbox, an early digital painting system.

tefaf restores black book of hours 2638098

TEFAF has selected the Black Book of Hours, a rare 15th-century illuminated manuscript from the Hispanic Society Museum and Library in New York, as the recipient of its 2025 Museum Restoration Fund. The manuscript, one of only seven known black vellum books of hours, will be displayed at TEFAF New York at the Park Avenue Armory before undergoing conservation treatment by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia. The work involves disbinding the 149-folio volume, high-resolution imaging, and addressing centuries of wear.

At MAXXI L'Aquila, exhibition dedicated to Ai Weiwei recounts catastrophes and memory

From April 29 to September 6, 2026, MAXXI L'Aquila presents "AI WEIWEI: Aftershock," an exhibition curated by Tim Marlow featuring approximately seventy works by Chinese artist, architect, and activist Ai Weiwei. The show spans his entire career, focusing on themes of earthquakes, wars, political repression, and memory. The centerpiece is the installation "Straight" (2009–2012), made from 150 tons of steel rods recovered from schools that collapsed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, displayed across three rooms. The exhibition is held at Palazzo Ardinghelli, a Baroque building that houses MAXXI L'Aquila and was itself restored after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, creating a dialogue between the works and the building's history of recovery.