risque pompeii mosaic looted german restituted 2668012

A Roman erotic mosaic looted from Pompeii by a German Wehrmacht captain during World War II has been returned to Italy and is now on display at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. The heirs of the last owner contacted the Carabinieri in Rome, leading to a diplomatic repatriation via the Italian Consulate General in Stuttgart, Germany, in September 2023. The mosaic, dating to around 79 C.E., depicts a pair of lovers and is thought to have decorated a bedroom floor in a Roman villa.

man ray rediscovered 2663935

A rediscovered watercolor sketch by Man Ray, created in 1913 when he was in his early twenties, has resurfaced after decades in an attic and sold for £18,000 ($24,000) at Dreweatts auction house in Newbury, England, on July 10. The work, titled *Nude Playing Musical Instrument [Study for “Tapestry Painting”]*, is a preparatory study for a lost larger oil-on-linen tapestry and offers rare insight into the artist's pivotal transition from traditional painting to avant-garde experimentation inspired by European modernism encountered at the 1913 Armory Show.

fence boat painting artist hanif panni 2487875

Homeowner Etienne Constable of Seaside, California, was ordered by the town to build a fence to hide the boat in his driveway. Instead of simply concealing it, he hired his neighbor, artist Hanif Panni, to paint a photorealistic mural of the boat on the fence. The story went viral, with Constable paying more for the artwork than the original fine would have been, and local officials praising the creative compliance.

campaign for barbara hepworth sculpture gathers momentum 82025

A campaign to return Barbara Hepworth's sculpture "Rock Form" (1964) to the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton, UK, is gaining momentum. The sculpture, valued at £1 million, was removed from the shopping centre in June 2024 during a redevelopment. Campaigners argue it was originally offered to the previous owner at cost price on the condition of public display, and they fear current owners—the Royal Bank of Scotland and Delancey—may sell it privately.

by the numbers christies 21st century sale edges out estimate aided by bounty of guarantees 2645323

Christie’s 21st-century art sale on Wednesday achieved $96.5 million in total sales, a 20 percent increase over the same sale last year. The auction featured 43 lots, with four withdrawn before the sale, and a sell-through rate of 83.7 percent (92.3 percent after withdrawals). The top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat’s *Baby Boom* (1982), which sold for $23.4 million. The sale was heavily supported by guarantees—24 lots were guaranteed, including 18 with third-party guarantees—accounting for 75 percent of the total presale low estimate. Auctioneer Yü-ge Wang faced cautious bidding, prompting playful remarks as collectors tested lower increments.

the art angle art frames 2633422

Artnet News published a podcast episode featuring writer and editor Katie White, who discusses her article "Bordercore: Why Frames Became the New Frontier in Contemporary Art." White explores how contemporary artists are reimagining picture frames as surreal, sculptural, and symbolic elements that actively comment on, disrupt, or extend the artwork beyond its traditional boundaries. She cites examples like Stephanie Temma Hier's 2021 work "Sparks and Tremors," which combines oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture, and notes that statement frames are increasingly appearing at art fairs and exhibitions after a long period of frameless display.

Centenary of Elizabeth II: Two colossal statues of the queen to be erected in London's St James's Park

Centenaire d’Elizabeth II : deux statues colossales de la reine seront érigées à Londres, dans St James’s Park

London has unveiled the final design and models for a colossal memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James's Park, to be completed by 2028. The centerpiece is a seven-meter bronze statue of the queen at age 28, inspired by a Pietro Annigoni portrait and created by sculptor Martin Jennings. It will be accompanied by a statue of Prince Philip by Jennings and a second, more intimate statue of the queen in old age by Karen Newman. The project marks the centenary of Elizabeth II's birth (1926–2022) and is designed by Foster + Partners. Models are on display at the British Museum until June 21.

Croissant, pigeon… At Nothing Serious gallery, artist Paa Joe transforms Parisian clichés into pop coffins

Croissant, pigeon… À la galerie Nothing Serious, l’artiste Paa Joe transforme les clichés parisiens en cercueils pop

Ghanaian artist Paa Joe has transformed iconic Parisian symbols into vibrant "fantasy coffins" for his solo exhibition, "From Paa Joe to Paaris," at Galerie Nothing Serious. The show features 25 large-scale sculptures, including a Café de Flore cup, a croissant, a Renault 4L, and a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé, all handcrafted in the tradition of Ga burial customs. Created alongside his son Jacob Tetteh-Ashong, these works reinterpret French clichés through a playful yet surreal lens, marking the gallery's return after a four-year hiatus.

First-ever oil painting depicting an artist at work to star in female Old Master exhibition

The first-ever exhibition dedicated to Catharina van Hemessen, Europe's most important early female painter, will open at the Snijders&Rockox House in Antwerp (15 October 2026 – 31 January 2027) before traveling to the National Gallery in London (4 March – 30 May 2027). The show will reunite most of her surviving works for the first time in nearly 500 years, including her groundbreaking 1548 self-portrait at the Kunstmuseum Basel, which is the earliest known self-portrait by a female artist and the earliest surviving oil painting depicting an artist at work. Archival research on her family is underway, and the exhibition will also feature works by her father, Jan Sanders van Hemessen.

Right bank, Left bank: A walk through the sites of “Black Paris”

The article explores the sites of "Black Paris" through a walking tour of locations significant to Black artists and musicians in postwar Paris. It highlights jazz clubs like the Blue Note and Chez Haynes, galleries such as Galerie Huit and Galerie Intemporel, and museums including the Louvre and the Musée de l'Homme, where artists like Gordon Parks, Herbert Gentry, Bob Thompson, and Ernest Mancova found inspiration and community. The tour also examines the film "Harlem-sur-Seine" and the exhibition "Paris Noir," which document these cultural hubs.

Playing it safe: this year’s Turner prize nominees lack the anger – and joy – of previous years

The 2026 Turner Prize nominees have been announced, featuring artists Marguerite Humeau, Tanoa Sasraku, Kira Freije, and Simeon Barclay. The shortlist is notably lacking in painting, video art, and overtly political work, instead offering sci-fi utopianism, jazz performance poetry, ephemeral sculpture, and anti-corporate satire. Critics describe the selection as timid and safe compared to previous years, missing the anger, radicalism, and transformative joy of past editions.

And this one shows the police evicting me: the fabulous fabric visions of Elizabeth Allen

The British textile artist Elizabeth Allen, who lived in a dilapidated hut and gained brief international fame in the 1960s after being discovered by artist Patrick Heron, is the subject of a major rediscovery. A new exhibition at Compton Verney in Warwickshire features works that have been hidden in storage or private collections for nearly fifty years, including the first public display of 'Autobiraggraphy,' a textile work documenting her wrongful eviction in 1934.

Gangnam styles: South Korea’s brutalist gems – in pictures

Photographer Paul Tulett has captured the stark, concrete landscapes of South Korea in his new book, *Brutalist Korea*, published by Prestel. The photo series highlights a range of architectural landmarks, from Tadao Ando’s minimalist Jeju Glass House and Zaha Hadid’s futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza to the playful geometry of the Paju Kindergarten. Tulett’s work documents how the raw, monumental aesthetic of Brutalism has evolved from the country’s postwar industrialization into a sophisticated tool for modern urban experimentation.

Vincent in Brixton review – a radiant portrait of the artist as a young romantic

A revival of Nicholas Wright's 2002 play "Vincent in Brixton" is receiving a tender production directed by Georgia Green at the Orange Tree Theatre. The play dramatizes a speculative romantic episode from the young Vincent van Gogh's life when he lived as a lodger in south London, focusing on his relationship with his widowed landlady, Ursula.

‘The way the world is, something daft is appealing’ – why everything from pizzas to podcasts has a cartoon character on it

A distinctive cartoon illustration style, rooted in 1920s 'rubber hose' animation and influenced by graffiti, vintage Americana, and underground comics, has become ubiquitous in contemporary branding. This aesthetic, characterized by exaggerated, jointless limbs and friendly faces, now adorns everything from independent pizza shops like London's Yard Sale Pizza to wine labels for Top Cuvee, podcasts, and even global fashion collaborations.

A Sculptor’s Life, in Constant Motion

A major retrospective of Alexander Calder’s work has opened in Paris, offering a comprehensive look at the sculptor’s career-long obsession with movement and balance. The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with his iconic mobiles and wire sculptures, emphasizing the physical and temporal experience of art that shifts with the surrounding air and light.

Ida Ekblad’s Experimental Space Where Artists Come to Play

Artist Ida Ekblad has converted a 1960s Brutalist villa in Oslo into a dynamic, non-commercial studio and project space named 'Villa Ekblad.' The space serves as her primary studio but is also designed to host spontaneous collaborations, workshops, and experimental projects with other artists, functioning as a creative laboratory removed from market pressures.

Fake Warhol, Haring and Banksy works seized in Italy

Des faux Warhol, Haring et Banksy saisis en Italie

Italian authorities have seized 143 counterfeit artworks attributed to Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Banksy. The works were on display in the exhibition "Pop to Street Art: Influences" in Reggio Calabria, Italy, and were provided on loan by a Belgian company. The carabinieri, in a transnational investigation extending to Liège, Belgium, identified the operation as part of a larger forgery network known as "Operation Cariatide." Eleven works remain under expert examination.

What Do Danh Vo’s Curated Collections Add Up To?

The article reviews the exhibition 'Danh Vo: Untitled' at the Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan, which presents a collection of objects curated and arranged by the artist. The show features a diverse array of items, including a 17th-century Flemish painting, a meteorite, a taxidermied peacock, and personal memorabilia, all displayed without explanatory labels in a large, warehouse-like space.

The best fashion exhibitions to see for spring 2026

Major museums across Europe are launching a series of high-profile fashion retrospectives for the Spring 2026 season. Highlights include the first official exhibition dedicated to Helmut Lang at MAK Vienna, a comparative study of Azzedine Alaïa and Christian Dior in Paris, and a comprehensive Vivienne Westwood retrospective at The Bowes Museum. Additionally, the V&A in London is hosting the UK’s first-ever Schiaparelli exhibition, while Charleston explores the literary influence of the Hogarth Press through a collaboration with designer Kim Jones.

10 Chicago art exhibitions we’re most excited about in spring 2026

Chicago’s major cultural institutions have unveiled a diverse lineup of exhibitions for the spring 2026 season, ranging from historical retrospectives to pop-culture crossovers. Highlights include the U.S. debut of the Pokémon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum, a rare display of Henri Matisse’s cut-paper maquettes at the Art Institute of Chicago, and an immersive recreation of Anne Frank’s Secret Annex at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. Other notable shows explore the intersection of contemporary art and Caribbean music genres at the MCA Chicago and a site-specific residency by Brendan Fernandes at the Driehaus Museum.

Addison Gallery Unveils New Spring Exhibitions Highlighting American Art And Phillips Academy Connections

The Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy has launched its spring exhibition season, featuring a diverse range of shows that draw from its 29,000-object permanent collection and visiting loans. Key highlights include an exploration of Parasol Press and its founder Robert Feldman, a showcase of geometric abstraction by Carmen Herrera and Leon Polk Smith, and a thematic survey of American Modernism featuring works by Edward Hopper and Charles Sheeler.

Marlene Dumas becomes first contemporary woman artist to join Louvre's permanent collection

Marlene Dumas has become the first contemporary woman artist to join the Louvre's permanent collection. Nine site-specific paintings by the South African-born artist were unveiled at the Paris museum last Thursday, now on permanent display in the Porte des Lions atrium. The series, titled Liaisons, depicts faces that draw on the "horrors" of the world today, as described by the artist. Dumas collaborated with Donatien Grau, the Louvre's head of contemporary programmes, and was selected by director Laurence des Cars, who called her the "obvious choice" for the commission.

french art galleries struggle amid wavering art market survey reveals 1234747374

A survey by market researcher Iddem, conducted among the Professional Committee of Art Galleries (CPGA), reveals that 85% of French gallery owners are pessimistic about the art sector's economic outlook in 2025. Turnover among French galleries dropped 6% in 2024, while the global art market fell 12% per the UBS Art Basel 2025 report. Philippe Charpentier, new CPGA president, told Le Monde the market has regressed to 2010 levels, with one-fifth of dealers reporting sales declines of over 20%. France also struggles to attract young collectors, unlike Asian markets where buyers average in their thirties, according to CPGA vice president Magda Danysz.

italy cuts art vat to 5 percent 1234745954

Italy has announced a reduction in its VAT on art sales from 22 percent to 5 percent, the lowest rate in the European Union. The move, approved in a cabinet meeting and set to take effect within days, follows sustained pressure from Italian galleries, artists, auction houses, and art market players. The new rate must be approved by parliament within 60 days to become permanent. The change aligns with an EU directive allowing member states to lower taxes on art sales to at least 5 percent, and comes after the government initially resisted calls for reform.

À Bordeaux, la métamorphose du MADD

The Musée des arts décoratifs et du design (MADD) in Bordeaux has reopened its design-focused wing after three years of renovation, featuring a new entrance pavilion designed by Antoine Dufour Architectes that connects the historic Hôtel de Lalande and the former municipal prison. The overhaul includes a monumental shelving display of eighty vases by designers such as Andrea Branzi and Gaetano Pesce, a new "gallery of know-how" dedicated to rotating thematic presentations (starting with ceramics), a graphic arts cabinet showcasing the Jacques Sargos collection of over 130 drawings, and improved climate control for conservation.

Suspect Arrested for $240,000 Damage to Chihuly Glass Artworks

A man was arrested for allegedly breaking into the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition in Seattle and destroying multiple glass sculptures, causing an estimated $240,000 in damage. The suspect, Alexander Taylor Weis, reportedly threw glass at security staff and attempted to stab a guard with a shard before being apprehended by police.

ai art market revolution 2666766

A survey by PwC found that 88% of U.S. companies plan to increase AI budgets, and the art world is following suit. The article explores how AI is infiltrating the art market beyond controversial authentication and IP issues, covering topics like autonomous agents, data privacy, logistics partnerships (Carpenters Workshop Gallery with Convelio), and new AI-powered search tools being developed by Artnet using Google's Gemini. It also notes that collector Jorge Pérez used AI assistance to acquire 24 works at Art Basel in Basel.

five art world power players form new advisory firm 2661022

Five major art world figures have formed a new advisory firm called New Perspectives Art Partners, aimed at serving high-end collectors and institutions. The founders include former Christie’s and Philips CEO Ed Dolman and his son Alex (Dolman Partners), Brett Gorvy of Lévy Gorvy Dayan, Philip Hoffman of the Fine Art Group, and former Sotheby’s rainmaker Patti Wong of Patti Wong and Associates. All five will maintain their existing roles while collaborating on complex, project-driven client needs, leveraging their collective expertise and regional networks.

Arles Drawing Festival: What Not to Miss at This Fourth Edition

Festival du dessin d’Arles : ce qu’il ne faut surtout pas rater pour cette quatrième édition

The fourth edition of the Arles Drawing Festival has opened, featuring over forty exhibitions across the city. The highlights include two major private drawing collections being publicly presented: Marin Karmitz's collection, displayed at the Sainte-Anne church under the title "Et la vie continue…", and the Collezione Ramo from Milan, showcased at the Museon Arlaten chapel as part of a focus on Italian art.