Views from Behind. A Figure Without a Portrait

Vu[e]s de dos. Une figure sans portrait

The exhibition "Vu[e]s de dos. Une figure sans portrait" at Les Franciscaines in Deauville, running from February 28 to May 31, 2026, explores the artistic motif of figures seen from behind. Curated by director Annie Madet-Vache, the show was inspired by a small painting from the museum's own collection, André Hambourg's *L'Enterrement de Poincaré*. Unable to secure loans of iconic works such as those by Friedrich, Delacroix, Ingres, or Vermeer, Madet-Vache instead displays large black-and-white reproductions of these masterpieces alongside contemporary works they inspired, turning the absence of the originals into a conceptual strength.

An exhibition centered on Bartholdi's Champollion, deposited in Nogent-sur-Seine

Une exposition autour du Champollion de Bartholdi, déposé à Nogent-sur-Seine

The Musée Camille Claudel in Nogent-sur-Seine is hosting a new exhibition centered around Auguste Bartholdi’s monument to Jean-François Champollion. The statue, recently transferred from the courtyard of the Collège de France by the Fonds national d’art contemporain, serves as the focal point for a display that explores the history and significance of the work. The exhibition provides a scholarly counter-narrative to recent ideological criticisms surrounding the monument's iconography.

Billionaire Collector Ken Griffin Buys Second Rare Constitution Printing

Billionaire collector Ken Griffin has quietly acquired a second rare first printing of the US Constitution, known as the Van Sinderen copy, through a private deal after it was pulled from a planned Sotheby’s auction in 2022. Griffin, who previously paid $43.2 million at Sotheby’s in 2021 for another copy, now holds the only two copies of the 1787 document still in private hands. The newly acquired document will go on public display starting May 27 at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York, headlining an exhibition titled “The Promise of Liberty” that includes other foundational texts.

Italian Culture Minister Launches Inspection of Venice Biennale’s Russian Pavilion

Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli has launched an official inspection of the Russian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, just days before the exhibition opens. An inspector has been sent to Venice to review all documentation related to Russia's participation, focusing on potential irregularities such as visa issues for Russian artists and delegation members. The investigation follows the Biennale's international jury decision to exclude Russia and Israel from awards due to accusations of crimes against humanity. The Russian Pavilion will be open only during the pre-opening vernissage, after which it will close, with digital documentation displayed in its windows.

Dutch Commission Recommends New Guardianship for ‘Orphaned’ Nazi-Looted Art

A Dutch government-appointed committee has proposed transferring guardianship of thousands of unclaimed Nazi-looted artworks from a state agency to a Jewish foundation, preferably housed at the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam. The plan includes funding for exhibitions and explanatory labels to publicly display the so-called "orphaned" art from the Netherlands Art Property Collection.

IMLS Funding for Freedom Truck Mobile Museums Under Trump Administration

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The Trump administration has launched 'Freedom 250,' a fleet of six 'Freedom Trucks' serving as mobile museums to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These tractor-trailers, which will tour the United States through 2026, feature historical artifacts such as George Washington’s spectacles and an Aitken Bible, alongside interactive AI-powered displays developed in partnership with Hillsdale College and PragerU.

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Six national nonprofit organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging the illegal censorship and removal of educational signage across U.S. national parks. The legal challenge, filed in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, targets the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service for stripping displays related to climate change, slavery, and the history of marginalized groups. The plaintiffs argue these actions violate federal mandates requiring parks to reflect diverse cultural backgrounds and current scientific research.

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A federal judge ordered the National Park Service to return historical displays at the President's House Site in Philadelphia that acknowledge George Washington's ownership of enslaved people. The signs had been removed last month by the NPS, which claimed the action was for "accuracy, honesty and alignment with shared national values." The City of Philadelphia sued, and Pennsylvania's governor filed a supporting brief.

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Thieves stole the entire silver collection of the Doesburg Silver Museum in the eastern Dutch city of Doesburg in the early hours of Wednesday morning. More than 300 "irreplaceable" objects, including a treasured collection of mustard pots assembled by the museum's founder Martin de Kleijn, were taken after two men forced entry into the 13th-century Martini Church housing the museum. CCTV footage shows the duo using a crowbar to break in and shatter display cabinets. Only ceramics on temporary display were left behind. The museum is insured, but chairman Ernst Boesveld emphasized the loss is about history and cultural heritage, not just the silver price.

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In May 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Mexico City for his first official trip to Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a temporary exchange of two pre-Hispanic codices. The Codex Azcatitlán, held at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris, will travel to Mexico City, while the Codex Boturini, housed at Mexico's Biblioteca Nacional de Antropología e Historia, will go to Paris. Both illustrated manuscripts, rarely displayed due to conservation concerns, recount the Aztecs' migration to Tenochtitlan. The exchange comes amid ongoing Mexican efforts to repatriate Mesoamerican codices from European collections, including the Codex Borgia and Codex Vaticanus in the Vatican and the Codex Borbonicus in France.

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Rome has opened two new subway stations on Line C—Colosseo/Fori Imperiali and Porta Metronia—that double as mini museums, showcasing over 500,000 artifacts unearthed during two decades of excavation. The stations, located 100 feet underground, feature displays of ancient ceramics, frescoes, mosaic floors, and the remains of a Roman military compound and thermal baths, curated by the Colosseum Archaeological Park and Sapienza University. Commuters can view the artifacts without a ticket in the station atriums, and future stations on the line will incorporate additional archaeological finds.

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A painting long attributed to Polish Realist painter Józef Pankiewicz and held by the National Museum in Poznań has been revealed as a forgery. The work, titled 'Vegetable Market at Żelaznej Bramy Square in Warsaw' and dated 1888, was awarded a silver medal at the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris and acquired by the museum in 1948. In 2017, scholar Michał Haake noticed discrepancies between the museum's version and historical reproductions, prompting an investigation. Conservators removed overpainting and found that the canvas, pigments, and composition differed from the original, with Pankiewicz's signature added after completion. The forgery, now attributed to an unidentified early 20th-century artist, is back on display alongside a photo of the original in the exhibition 'Succumb to Illusion.' The original painting has been missing since 1890.

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A couple of volunteer archaeologists, Dilys and Jim Quinlan, discovered a Roman stone relief carving of the winged goddess Victory while excavating at the Vindolanda fort near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England. The 18.5-inch carving was found in the infantry barracks and is believed to have been part of a larger ornamental arch and gate, dating to around 213 CE after the Severan wars. The discovery was identified by Newcastle University professor Rob Collins and announced by the Vindolanda Charitable Trust.

U.S. Returns Hundreds of Looted Antiquities to Italy

U.S. officials formally returned 337 looted antiquities, archival materials, and artworks to Italy during a ceremony at Rome’s La Marmora barracks. The objects, spanning from the Villanovan era (900–700 B.C.E.) through the Hellenistic period (323–31 B.C.E.), include Etruscan, Greek, Italic, and Egyptian artifacts. The repatriation was coordinated by Italy’s Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. Key items include a marble head of Alexander the Great, a bronze sculpture from Herculaneum, and Egyptian basalt sculptures. Some 221 objects were recovered via the Manhattan DA, while the remaining 116 were secured with help from Christie’s.

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Metal detectorists Nick Yallope and Peter Nicolas discovered two rare Roman lead ingots, or 'pigs,' in the community of Llangynfelyn, West Wales. Dated precisely to 87 C.E. during the reign of Emperor Domitian, the artifacts were found buried approximately 1.5 feet underground. Following a geophysical survey by the archaeology trust Heneb, the finds were officially declared treasure under the U.K.’s Treasure Act, marking a significant addition to the region's archaeological record.

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President Donald Trump has launched the 'Freedom Truck' fleet, a series of six mobile exhibitions traveling across the United States ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Funded by a $14.1 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the project features interactive displays, AI-powered historical figures, and artifacts provided by Glenn Beck’s American Journey Experience. The tour, organized by conservative groups like PragerU and Hillsdale College, focuses on a patriotic narrative of American independence and sovereignty.

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Technical analysis of a 16th-century portrait of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle has revealed that the artist deliberately reworked the queen's hands to clearly display five fingers. Using infrared reflectography and tree-ring dating, researchers determined the painting dates to 1583, during the reign of her daughter, Elizabeth I. This specific composition, known as the 'Rose' portrait, is now identified as the earliest scientifically dated panel portrait of the doomed queen.

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Rome's new Colosseo-Fori Imperiali metro station opened on Tuesday after 11 years of construction, featuring archaeological treasures uncovered during excavation, including ceramic fragments, statues, oil lamps, stone vessels, and 28 ancient wells. The station, part of Metro Line C, also revealed a nearly 260-foot early second-century military barracks and a home with frescoes and mosaics at the nearby Porta Metronia station. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri attended the opening ceremony, and the city plans to open a museum in the station.

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The Borso d'Este Bible, often called the 'Mona Lisa of Illuminated Manuscripts,' has gone on rare public display at the Italian Senate in Rome as part of the Vatican's Holy Year celebrations. The two-volume manuscript, commissioned by Duke Borso d'Este in the mid-15th century and created by calligrapher Pietro Paolo Marone and illuminators Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi, is usually kept in a safe at a library in Modena. It was transported with elaborate security and is now showcased behind humidity-controlled glass with a digital touch-screen experience for visitors.

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A 35-year-old man wearing a kilt was arrested at Perth Museum in Scotland on July 12, 2025, after allegedly breaking the glass protecting the Stone of Destiny, a 336-pound historical artifact central to British coronations. The museum was evacuated as a precaution, and no artifacts were damaged. The man is set to appear at Perth Sheriff Court, and the Stone of Destiny display remains closed.

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RM Sotheby's is hosting an online auction titled "The Champions – Schumacher and F1 Legends" from July 24 to 30, featuring 280 lots of Formula 1 memorabilia. Highlights include a Cartier Automatic watch gifted by Enzo Ferrari to Fiat executive Gianni Agnelli in 1988, estimated at €10,000–€20,000, and over 150 lots related to Michael Schumacher, such as racing suits, helmets, and boots from his career. Other notable items include watches presented to Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher, as well as memorabilia from drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna, and Fernando Alonso. A selection of 35 lots will be displayed at the Concours of Elegance in Tegernsee, Germany.

Russia's Venice Pavilion to Close to the Public in Compliance With Sanctions

Russia will return to the 61st Venice Biennale with its national pavilion, but the exhibition will only be physically open to the press and select guests during the vernissage dates of May 5–8. From May 9 onward, the pavilion will remain closed to the public, with multimedia documentation of performances displayed on screens at the windows. The arrangement follows leaked emails among Biennale Foundation President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, General Director Andrea Del Mercato, and Russian Pavilion Commissioner Anastasia Karneeva, revealing efforts to comply with EU sanctions while still allowing Russia's participation after two consecutive absences since its invasion of Ukraine.

Patrick Mukabi: Inside the life and legacy of artist who nurtured a movement

Legendary Kenyan painter Patrick Mukabi, known as Panye, has died at age 56 after an illness. Born in Nairobi in 1969, he studied graphic design at the Technical University of Kenya before dedicating himself to fine art. His bold, colorful works were displayed at venues like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Java House outlets, and in over 20 countries. He developed the Cover Girls series celebrating curvy women and worked at major art spaces including the Nairobi National Museum, Kuona Artists Collective, GoDown Arts Centre, and the Railway Museum. At Dust Depo Studio, he mentored many young artists, teaching them both technique and the business of art. His protégé Jimmy Kitheka recalls Mukabi's warmth and discipline, and how the studio became a creative hub. Even during his illness, the art community rallied to support him through benefit exhibitions like the Patrick Mukabi Medical Fund Benefit Art Exhibition in April 2026 and a solo show at Banana Hill Art Gallery.

The true story of the Caravaggio theft by the Sicilian Mafia behind the Arte series 'The Caravaggio Conspiracy'

La véritable histoire du vol du Caravage par la mafia sicilienne derrière la série « Le Complot Caravaggio » sur Arte

The theft of Caravaggio’s 'Nativity with Saint Francis and Saint Lawrence' from the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo remains one of the world's most notorious unsolved art crimes. Stolen in October 1969 by professional thieves who cut the massive three-meter canvas from its frame, the masterpiece has been missing for over 50 years. Investigations have long pointed toward the Sicilian Mafia, with various theories suggesting the work was displayed at secret summits, hidden in Switzerland, or tragically destroyed.

Nora Schultz at Galerie Meyer Kainer

Nora Schultz at Galerie Meyer Kainer

Nora Schultz has opened a new solo exhibition, "Now and The non-watch," at Galerie Meyer Kainer in Vienna. The show, running from January 23 to March 14, 2026, features a collection of new sculptural and installation works documented through 32 images. The presentation is a continuation of Schultz's practice of creating site-responsive pieces that often incorporate industrial materials and explore the mechanics of display.

Alice Peach “Still Curly” at Iowa, New York

Alice Peach’s solo exhibition "Still Curly" at Iowa, New York, features a series of new sculptures constructed from popsicle sticks. These humble, mass-produced materials are transformed into modular, skeletal forms that mimic biological structures such as spines and torsos. The works are displayed in various states of tension, either splayed against the gallery walls or suspended from the ceiling to create a sense of precarious movement.

'Hidden heritage' Metro art shown in exhibition

An exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is showcasing "Blazing Trails," a project by local artist Sofia Barton originally commissioned for Tyne and Wear Metro trains. The artwork celebrates the hidden heritage of north-east England by depicting lesser-known community leaders, including suffragette Kathleen Brown and Chinatown founders Koon Kiu Cheng and Peter Cheng. The display runs until 27 September in the Baltic's pop-up shop.

From street gang to civil rights group, the Young Lords’ impact is on display in a new DePaul art exhibition

The DePaul Art Museum in Chicago has opened a new exhibition titled "Tengo Lincoln Park en mi Corazón: Young Lords in Chicago," curated by Jacqueline Lazú. The show explores the history and activism of the Young Lords Organization, a group that began as a Puerto Rican street gang in the 1950s and evolved into a civil rights advocacy group fighting against displacement and discrimination in Lincoln Park. The exhibition features objects like purple berets, protest art, and photographs, and is the result of decades of collaboration between DePaul University and the Young Lords.

New Hong Kong fairs offer fresh opportunities for a changing market

Hong Kong Art Week 2026 features several new art fairs offering alternative models to traditional events. ArtHouse Tai Hang, led by former Christie's executive Jacky Ho, displays works across ten locations in a residential neighborhood with a pay-only-if-sold financial model. Check-in, organized by Alex Chan, requires all artworks to be suitcase-sized and includes daily performances. Pavilion, founded by Ysabelle Cheung and Willem Molesworth, presents a boutique, curated alternative to high-pressure fairs.

Art Exhibits: What's on display in the Fort Wayne area

This article is a local arts calendar listing current and upcoming exhibitions in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. It highlights new shows such as "Grounded in Light" featuring Julie Wall at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, "Summer Selections" of student work at Purdue University Fort Wayne's Visual Arts Gallery, and "Archetypes" by printmaker Chuck Sperry at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Also listed are ongoing exhibitions including the "46th National Print Exhibition" at Artlink, a tribute to late ceramic artist Tom Sherbondy at Ruth Koomler Art Gallery, and several other shows at venues like the Orchard Gallery, Allen County Public Library, Garrett Museum of Art, and Honeywell Center.