Lovers to friends: the intimate story of Van Gogh's sister-in-law and the artist Isaac Israëls

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has published 103 letters from Dutch Impressionist painter Isaac Israëls to Jo Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law, revealing a previously secret romantic relationship between them. The museum is also presenting an exhibition titled "Captivated by Vincent: The Intimate Friendship of Jo van Gogh-Bonger and Isaac Israëls" (through January 25, 2026), which explores their brief physical relationship in the 1890s and its aftermath, including how Israëls incorporated Van Gogh's paintings into his own portraits—a practice he called "Vincenting." Twelve of these portraits are on display for the first time.

Adam Dressner’s Portraits Are for the People

Adam Dressner, a self-taught former corporate lawyer, opened his debut solo gallery exhibition "Hello Stranger 2" at 1969 Gallery in Tribeca. The show features large-scale oil paintings and a salon wall of 60 small acrylic portraits, many painted live in public spaces like Washington Square Park and Grand Central Terminal. Subjects range from celebrities like Joyce Carol Oates and Anna Delvey to everyday New Yorkers such as a neighborhood waiter and a 90-year-old park acquaintance. Dressner painted 18 works on-site in the days before the opening, continuing his practice of wheeling an "art cart" of supplies to make expressive plein-air portraits.

Culture Type | The Month in Black Art: Here’s What Happened in May 2025

The May 2025 roundup of Black art news reports the deaths of two influential figures: international curator Koyo Kouoh and artist-curator Evangeline J. Montgomery, who died at 94. Montgomery's career spanned metalwork, fiber art, and photography, and she was a key advocate and mentor in the African American art community, later working at the U.S. Information Agency. Other highlights include historian Edda L. Fields-Black winning a Pulitzer Prize for her book on Harriet Tubman, the acquisition of Adam Pendleton's entire "Who is Queen" installation by MoMA, and Kapwani Kiwanga winning the Joan Miró Prize. The Met Gala also featured Black dandy style inspired by the Costume Institute's exhibition "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."

On the Met Gala’s Cy Gavin-designed blue carpet, art was front and centre

The 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, raised a record $31 million while celebrating the opening of the Costume Institute's new exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" (May 10-October 26). The event's dress code, "Tailored for You," inspired attendees to embrace Black-dandy fashion, with guests including Rihanna, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, and Kamala Harris. The exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton and Monica L. Miller, explores the evolution of Black style in the Atlantic diaspora from the 18th century to today, drawing on Miller's 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity." It is the Costume Institute's first show to directly address race's impact on style and the Met's first menswear exhibition in over 20 years.

American artist Lauren Halsey’s “sister dreamer” sculpture park opens in Los Angeles.

American artist Lauren Halsey’s “sister dreamer” sculpture park opens in Los Angeles.

American artist Lauren Halsey has opened a new public sculpture park titled "sister dreamer" in Los Angeles. The installation, located in the city's historic West Adams neighborhood, features a series of large-scale, fantastical architectural forms that draw on Afrofuturism and the visual culture of the local community.

Fold in these exhibitions during festival season

Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto begin on May 22, and the article highlights a curated selection of visual art exhibitions in Charleston to enjoy alongside the festival's performances. Featured venues include Robert Lange Studios, Corrigan Gallery, Stevenson and Co., Atrium Gallery, Meyer Vogl, Duckworth Gallery, and the Gibbes Museum of Art, which opens "Mary Whyte: Salt of the Earth" and continues "Rodin: All the Truth in Nature." The College of Charleston's Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, under new director Michael Dickins, presents "Make Room" by In Kyoung Chun and another exhibition through July 25.

11 can’t-miss art shows to see in Phoenix this spring

Phoenix is hosting a diverse array of spring art exhibitions across the city. Highlights include the 19th Annual Erotic Art Show at Exposed Gallery, Amy Menousek's feminist fiber work at Five15 Arts, Rachel Rinker's interactive sound and painting show at Tempe Center for the Arts, a group show of Japanese artists in Arizona at Shemer Art Center, and the "Art is History" exhibition at Lisa Sette Gallery, which critically examines art historical narratives.

A $15 million Compton arts center is in the works thanks to this formerly incarcerated painter

Fulton Leroy Washington, the self-taught painter known as Mr. Wash, has unveiled plans for a $15-million community arts hub in Compton, California. Designed by the renowned firm Morphosis Architects, the proposed Art by Wash Studio & Community Center will provide housing, studio space, and a small-business incubator specifically for formerly incarcerated artists. The project was launched alongside Washington’s latest exhibition, “The City of Compton: Then & Now,” which serves as a fundraiser for the construction.

Hmm, what shall we see at Paris Photo 2025?

Paris Photo 2025, the 28th edition of the international photography fair, returns to the Grand Palais from 13-16 November, hosting 179 galleries from 33 countries. Artistic director Anna Planas emphasizes a program spanning photography's full history, from 19th-century works to contemporary digital and blockchain-based pieces. Highlights include a solo installation by Hasselblad Award winner Sophie Ristelhueber, a darkroom demonstration by photographer Renato D'Agostin, and the 'Emergence' sector featuring Prix Maison Ruinart winner Marine Lanier. The fair also offers conversations, performances, and book signings with artists like Todd Hido and Wolfgang Tillmans, plus an exhibition of Latin American photography from the Estrellita B Brodsky collection.

Alexander Morrison

Alexander Morrison, a prominent figure in the art world, has passed away. The article, published by The Art Newspaper, reports on his death and likely includes tributes to his contributions, though the provided text is limited to subscription prompts and footer information, lacking full details on his life and career.

The Wallace Collection appoints Selldorf Architects to lead masterplan to transform its historic London home

The Wallace Collection in London has appointed Selldorf Architects, led by Annabelle Selldorf, to lead a masterplan for Hertford House, its historic home. Selldorf, who recently oversaw renovations at the Frick Collection and the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing, will collaborate with UK practices Purcell and Lawson Ward Studio. The project aims to improve access, sustainability, and visitor experience at the museum, which opened to the public in 1900 and houses over 5,500 works including masterpieces by Velázquez, Hals, and Rubens.

A $1B Evening With Nicole Kidman

Hyperallergic's newsletter reports on a record-setting $1 billion evening sale at Christie's on May 18, which included works by Jackson Pollock and Constantin Brancusi alongside Hollywood star Nicole Kidman. Other stories cover an exhibition at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center celebrating Black American artists in Paris, a painted book cover trend analyzed by Tara Anne Dalbow, a Gaza Square sculpture unveiling in Paterson, New Jersey, and a performance event by Bahar Behbahani on Governors Island.

Joan Semmel Kicks Ass at 93

A profile of 93-year-old artist Joan Semmel reveals her continued artistic vigor and rising market demand. The article details her recent studio visit, her philosophy of persistence, and her significant body of work focused on the female form.

50 Women Artists You Absolutely Should Know

50 artistes femmes que vous devriez absolument connaître

Beaux Arts Magazine is publishing a multi-part series throughout March highlighting 50 historically significant but often overlooked women artists. The series profiles figures like Impressionist painter Marie Bracquemond, whose career was curtailed by her husband, pioneering Spanish photographer Mey Rahola, and Brazilian modernist Tarsila do Amaral, who will be the subject of a major exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg in 2024.

Martha Graham Took Classic Ballet and Turned It Into Modern Dance. It’s Still Moving Us 100 Years Later

The Martha Graham Dance Company, the oldest professional dance troupe in the United States, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a worldwide centennial tour. The company is marking the milestone by performing Graham's classic works, like the 1946 ballet *Cave of the Heart*, alongside newer commissions that continue her innovative legacy.

The Sprawling New David Geffen Galleries At LACMA Open To The Public On Sunday, May 3

The David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will open to the public on Sunday, May 3, after 20 years of development. Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the 900-foot-long horizontal glass and concrete structure overlooks the La Brea Tar Pits and stretches over Wilshire Boulevard. The main floor, elevated 30 feet above street level, offers 110,000 square feet of gallery space for LACMA’s permanent collection. The inaugural exhibition is inspired by four major bodies of water—the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea—and features works by artists including Todd Gray, Do Ho Suh, Lauren Halsey, Tavares Strachan, Jeff Koons, and Diego Rivera. The building also includes open plazas, an outdoor public space, and an Erewhon Cafe, with a larger restaurant and wine bar planned for fall 2026.

Who Do Chicago’s Art Fairs Serve?

Expo Chicago and its satellite fairs serve as a complex barometer for the Midwestern arts ecosystem, highlighting both the successes of local representation and the tensions of institutional growth. While galleries like Andrew Rafacz and Corbett vs. Dempsey demonstrate viable career paths for Chicago-based artists like Melissa Leandro and Gabrielle Garland, the fair's shifting structure reveals a narrowing field for smaller nonprofits.

parties bvlgari chateau marmont

Bvlgari and CULTURED magazine co-hosted a launch party for Bvlgari's new Icons Minaudière collection at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. The event, held in Penthouse 64, brought together a mix of Hollywood actors, visual artists, art dealers, and fashion insiders, with guests including Camila Mendes, Lauren Halsey, Emma Webster, and dealers Shaun Regen and Hannah Hoffman. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and a rare pink moon sighting, and left with a co-developed mini-magazine.

art lauren halsey los angeles park

Lauren Halsey, an artist known for immersive architectural projects rooted in South Central Los Angeles, is expanding her civic engagement with a new sculpture park titled "sister dreamer," opening in March in collaboration with the nonprofit LAND. The article, presented as a studio visit, details her creative process, influences, and upcoming projects, including a limited-edition cycling jersey with Rapha and the Miami Design District to raise funds for cancer research. It also highlights her recent exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Venice Biennale, and the Serpentine Galleries.

At the Tuileries, the PAD Paris Fair Celebrates Design with Elegance This Weekend

Aux Tuileries, le salon PAD Paris célèbre le design avec élégance ce week-end

The PAD Paris (Pavillon des Arts et du Design) returns to the Jardin des Tuileries, showcasing 75 French and international galleries specializing in vintage and contemporary collectible design. Highlights of the 2025 edition include the debut of Gallery Gaïa & Romeo with mid-century Italian ceramics, a contemporary reimagining of Claude Monet’s studio by Amélie du Chalard, and a strong focus on international female designers at Maria Wettergren. Parallel to the main fair, the third edition of the Sustainable Design Biennale is presenting plastic-free material innovations and eco-friendly furniture solutions.

us mashal auction basquiat picasso diane arbus 1mdb scandal

The US Marshals Service is auctioning four artworks by Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Diane Arbus that were surrendered to the US Department of Justice in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. The online-only auction, run by Gaston and Sheehan auction house in Texas, began on July 16 and closes on September 4, with no buyer's premium. The works include Basquiat's *Self Portrait* (1982) and *Red Man One* (1982), Picasso's *Tête de taureau et broc* (1939), and Arbus's *Child with a Toy Hand Grenade* (1962). The pieces were linked to fugitive financier Jho Low and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who surrendered them after they were located in Switzerland.

In Kyoung Chun: Make Room

The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston is presenting "Make Room," a solo exhibition by South Korean-born, Atlanta-based artist In Kyoung Chun. The show features a mix of paintings and site-specific installations, including transparent houses and suspended structures that explore the artist's experience as an immigrant. By blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces, Chun’s work invites viewers into environments that reflect on the fragility and resilience of home.

It’s LACMA’s World, and Hollywood Wants to Play in It

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) celebrated the opening of its new David Geffen Galleries with a star-studded gala that raised nearly $11.5 million. The event brought together architect Peter Zumthor, museum director Michael Govan, and a high-profile mix of Hollywood celebrities, artists, and major donors. The $720 million building, Zumthor's first major project in the United States, marks the culmination of a decades-long development process and is set to open to the public next week.

Inside LACMA's lavish opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries with George Lucas, Ed Ruscha and Jeff Koons

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) held a lavish opening gala for its new David Geffen Galleries, a $724 million concrete building designed by architect Peter Zumthor. The event drew a constellation of artists including Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Mark Bradford, Refik Anadol, Todd Gray, Do Ho Suh, and Lauren Halsey, as well as Hollywood figures like Will Ferrell and Sharon Stone. LACMA director Michael Govan hosted the evening, which featured conversations about the building's design, the interplay of light and art, and the significance of the new space for the museum's future.

peter zumthor's david geffen galleries open at LACMA as a sweeping glass-and-concrete arc

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has officially opened the David Geffen Galleries, a massive glass-and-concrete structure designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. Elevated nine meters above the ground and spanning Wilshire Boulevard, the 275-meter-long building replaces several older structures to house the museum’s permanent collection. The inaugural installation, developed by a team of 45 curators, abandons traditional chronological displays in favor of a geographic framework organized around four major bodies of water: the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.

LACMA New David Geffen Galleries Open 4/19... Installation of Do Ho Suh's 'Gyeongbokgung Jagyeongjeon'

LA카운티미술관(LACMA) 뉴 데이빗게펜 갤러리 4/19 오픈...서도호 작 '경복중 자경전' 설치

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has announced the official opening of the David Geffen Galleries on April 19, 2026. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, the 900-foot-long horizontal structure spans Wilshire Boulevard and features a single elevated exhibition level for the museum’s permanent collection. The inaugural installation, curated by a collaborative team of 45 specialists, rejects traditional chronological or geographical hierarchies in favor of a thematic approach centered around global oceanic frameworks.

peter zumthor's fluid concrete david geffen galleries to open at LACMA in april 2026

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will open its new Peter Zumthor-designed David Geffen Galleries on April 19, 2026. The 274-meter-long concrete structure, elevated on piers over Wilshire Boulevard, will become the museum's primary home for its permanent collection, offering over 10,000 square meters of exhibition space. The project, which includes the Elaine Wynn Wing, culminates a two-decade campus transformation.

LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries Will Open on April 19, 2026

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) announced that its David Geffen Galleries, designed by architect Peter Zumthor, will open on April 19, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The opening will be followed by two weeks of priority member access and a free day for NexGenLA youth members on May 3. The 900-foot-long building spans Wilshire Boulevard and will house LACMA's permanent collection, featuring approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects across 110,000 square feet of gallery space. The inaugural installation is organized around the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea, emphasizing cultural exchange and migration, and includes works by Georges de La Tour, Henri Matisse, Francis Bacon, Vincent van Gogh, and new commissions by artists such as Todd Gray and Lauren Halsey.

Rijksmuseum announces plans for €60m sculpture park

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced plans to build a €60 million Modern sculpture garden, called the Don Quixote Pavilion and Garden, on a nearby triangular plot of land. The project is funded by an exceptional donation and long-term art loans from the Don Quixote Foundation, established by billionaire businessman Rolly van Rappard. The garden will feature three pavilions designed by Foster + Partners, with landscaping by Piet Blanckaert, and will display sculptures by Alberto Giacometti, Jean Arp, and Henry Moore. The museum aims to open the space free of charge this autumn, but planning permission has not yet been granted, and the project includes the restoration of three listed buildings.

Harlem’s Studio Museum reopening was a fitting reflection of its history and work

The Studio Museum in Harlem reopened in November 2025 after a seven-year reconstruction, unveiling a new building designed by Adjaye Associates and Cooper Robertson that incorporates architectural elements of Harlem, such as masonry-framed windows and a staircase evoking brownstone stoops. The reopening featured a major exhibition highlighting alumni from its renowned artist-in-residence program, which began in 1968 with Tom Lloyd as the first recipient. Founded by Charles E. Innis and a coalition of artists, activists, and philanthropists, the museum has long served as a nexus for artists of African descent, expanding the canon of Black art during the civil rights and Black Power movements.