14 Must-See Museum Shows in New York This Spring

New York museums are launching a significant slate of spring exhibitions, featuring major retrospectives and thematic surveys. Highlights include "Noguchi's New York" at the Noguchi Museum, exploring the sculptor's unrealized urban projects; "Raphael: Sublime Poetry" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a comprehensive look at the Renaissance master; and "Gothic by Design: The Dawn of Architectural Draftsmanship," also at the Met, focusing on medieval architectural drawings.

13 Nudes That Changed Western Art History

The article presents a curated list of 13 seminal Western artworks featuring the nude form, highlighting how each piece shifted artistic conventions and cultural perceptions. It begins with the Paleolithic Venus of Willendorf and moves chronologically through works by artists including Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Lavinia Fontana, and Édouard Manet, analyzing their groundbreaking approaches to depicting the human body.

The Met is Finally Treating Lee Krasner as Pollock’s Equal—Will the Market Follow?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced a major upcoming exhibition titled "Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous," which aims to present Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock as artistic equals. While the museum's narrative seeks to reframe Krasner as a formidable figure of the New York School on her own terms, the art market continues to reflect a significant valuation gap. Pollock’s auction record stands at over $61 million, while Krasner’s peak public sale remains just under $12 million, highlighting the persistent commercial struggle for female Abstract Expressionists.

Two Growing London Galleries Launch Second Spaces—and More Art Industry News

The art world is seeing a wave of institutional shifts and physical expansions, headlined by the appointment of Melissa Chiu as the new director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. In London, galleries Edel Assanti and Emalin are both expanding their footprints with new locations, while the National Gallery has selected Kengo Kuma for a massive £350 million extension project. Meanwhile, the European Commission has threatened to pull €2 million in funding from the Venice Biennale unless it reverses its stance on Russian participation.

Frida Kahlo: Making of an Icon

frida kahlo making of an icon

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has launched a major exhibition titled "Frida Kahlo: Making of an Icon," which explores the artist's transformation from a relatively unknown figure during her lifetime into a global cultural phenomenon. Curated by Mari Carmen Ramírez, the show features over 200 objects related to "Frida mania" alongside works by 80 contemporary artists who have been influenced by her legacy. The exhibition traces her life from her childhood in Mexico City and her tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera to her emergence as a symbol for various social movements.

michele pred projecting democracy

Artist and activist Michele Pred has opened a solo exhibition at Nancy Hoffman Gallery in New York, showcasing a body of work that addresses the erosion of civil and reproductive rights. The exhibition features her signature electroluminescent wire-stitched vintage handbags, sculptures made from found objects like wooden gavels and disarmed bullets, and large-scale inflatable abortion pill sculptures. Pred’s practice, rooted in her upbringing between California and Sweden, utilizes approachable domestic objects to deliver urgent political messages regarding bodily autonomy and social justice.

lee krasner jackson pollock the met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced a major joint exhibition titled "Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous," scheduled for this fall. Featuring over 120 works, the show marks the first comprehensive joint presentation of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner’s entire careers, rather than focusing solely on their years as a married couple. Curated by David Breslin and Brinda Kumar, the exhibition will utilize the Met’s deep holdings alongside significant international loans to trace the evolution of these two Abstract Expressionist titans from their early WPA days to their late-career innovations.

matisse acquavella spring 2026

Acquavella Galleries in New York will present a major exhibition, 'Matisse: The Pursuit of Harmony,' from April 9 to May 22, 2026. The show assembles 50 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper spanning half a century, including the complete 'Back' series and significant loans from private collections and major museums.

renovated frick expansion reopening highlights

The Frick Collection reopens to the public on April 17 after a five-year closure and a $220 million expansion and renovation by Selldorf Architects. The project adds 18,000 square feet, including 10 new galleries in the family's original second-floor living quarters, a marble staircase, cafe, gift shop, and a new auditorium. The percentage of the collection on view has increased from 25% to 47%, and Ukrainian artist Vladimir Kanevsky has created porcelain floral arrangements for the reopening. New director Axel Rüger, who joined from London's Royal Academy of Arts, welcomed journalists at a press preview.

magdalene odundo interview

Magdalene Odundo, the 75-year-old Kenyan-born British ceramic artist, discusses her lifelong practice and the cultural and spiritual significance of the ceramic vessel in a recent interview at her studio in Farnham, England. Her career has reached new heights following a record auction result this past summer, when an untitled 1990 piece sold for £723,900 ($995,462) at Sotheby's London, nearly tripling its estimate. This milestone coincides with her debut solo exhibition at Xavier Hufkens in Brussels, running until January 24, featuring works including the large-scale installation Transition II (2014) with 1,001 miniature glass vessels.

john p axelrod dead collector

John P. Axelrod, a prominent art collector and retired lawyer, was killed in a hit-and-run incident on January 3 in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood while walking his dog. The suspect, William Haney, 42, allegedly drove onto a pedestrian mall and struck Axelrod before fleeing; he has been charged with murder and animal cruelty. Axelrod, 79, was a longtime collector of American painting, African American and Latin American art, and decorative arts, and was listed on the ARTnews Top 200 Collectors list from 1997 to 2000.

paris galerie 1900 2000 closed new york branch

Galerie 1900-2000, a Parisian gallery specializing in Dada and Surrealism, has closed its New York branch on Madison Avenue, which opened in February 2023 as a joint venture with Galerie Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois. The Manhattan outpost's last exhibition ended in September, with principal David Fleiss citing a slow market during difficult global times as the reason for the closure, though he did not rule out a future return to New York.

martin wong painting unseen art basel miami beach ppow

A long-unseen 12-foot-wide painting by Martin Wong, titled *Tai Ping Tien Kuo (Tai Ping Kuo)* (1982), will be exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach next month courtesy of New York gallery P.P.O.W. The work, which features a rare nude portrait of the artist’s mother and stepfather, was last shown publicly in 1987 at the Asian Arts Institute in New York. It was kept in storage for decades because Wong’s mother, Florence Wong Fie, objected to its display out of modesty. The painting adopts a classical three-panel altarpiece format, blending Chinese American history with references to Western art, the Taiping Rebellion, and Wong’s own Lower East Side influences.

ethel stein puppeteer weaver

The article profiles 20th-century textile artist Ethel Stein, who remained largely unrecognized during her lifetime despite creating technically rigorous weavings. A new exhibition titled "Master of the Loom" at New York's Sapar Contemporary (on view through November 17) showcases her geometric, rhythmic works. Stein, who studied under Josef Albers at the Bauhaus and designed a unique loom now held by the Art Institute of Chicago, also had a playful side: she began her career as a puppeteer and created the puppet that became Lamb Chop, the beloved character performed by Shari Lewis on PBS. The exhibition highlights works such as "Rust Abstract," "Indigo 25," and "Black and White," which demonstrate her mastery of complex weaving structures and geometric abstraction.

raquelin mendieta ana mendieta estate administrator dead

Raquelín Mendieta, the longtime administrator of the estate of her sister, artist Ana Mendieta, died on October 24 in Miami at age 79 due to a long illness. Raquelín took charge of Ana's legacy after the artist's death in 1985, organizing a retrospective at the New Museum in 1987 and partnering with Galerie Lelong in 1991 to establish a market for Ana's work. Under her stewardship, Ana's art was acquired by major museums like the Whitney Museum and included in over 600 group shows and 55 solo exhibitions, including 16 museum retrospectives.

artnews awards 2025 nominees

ARTnews has announced the nominees for the 2025 ARTnews Awards, which honor excellence in art at US institutions and galleries. The awards, now in their second year, feature six categories: Emerging Artist, Established Artist, Lifetime Achievement, Best Thematic Museum Exhibition, Best Gallery Group Show, and a newly introduced Best Historical Artist category. The jury includes five top US curators and two ARTnews editors, with winners to be celebrated in November.

art galleries closing museum restaurants wet paint

Artnet News' Wet Paint column reports a wave of gallery closures and rumors in New York's art scene. Blum and Venus Over Manhattan have recently shut down, while Clearing's Bowery space temporarily became a Tank Air clothing pop-up, not a permanent closure. Micki Meng sent a cryptic 'I'm quitting' email but clarified it was a reference to Marcel Duchamp, not a business closure. Jack Barrett Gallery is relocating, not closing, and Tramps has closed its Washington Square Park location while planning a new Paris outpost. Jack Hanley, who closed his gallery in January, is now painting in the Hamptons.

design market report 2025 auction results tiffany lalanne

Amid a sluggish broader art market, the design category is surging. Major auction houses—Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips—held design sales in early June 2025 that far exceeded expectations. Sotheby’s New York design sales totaled $37.5 million, Christie’s $23.6 million, and Phillips $4 million, representing a 62.3 percent year-on-year increase across all three houses. Notable highlights include the Goddard Memorial Window by Tiffany Studios, which sold for $4.29 million, the second-highest price for a Tiffany window at auction. The sales attracted many new buyers, with Sotheby’s and Phillips reporting over 20 percent of buyers were new to the houses.

frick john singer sargent painting

The Frick Collection in New York, which recently reopened after a major expansion, does not own a single painting by John Singer Sargent, despite founder Henry Clay Frick's admiration for the artist. Sargent declined Frick's request for a portrait commission late in his career, and after Frick's death, his daughter Helen Clay Frick turned down an opportunity to purchase Sargent's iconic portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw in 1922 because the museum's trustees were undecided about the institution's future. The painting now resides at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. However, the Frick will receive a study for Sargent's famous 'Madame X' as part of a promised gift from collectors Elizabeth and Jean-Marie Eveillard.

paint drippings art industry news jun 16

This week's art industry roundup covers major developments across art fairs, auction houses, and galleries. Ahead of Art Basel in Basel, Artnet's Editor-in-Chief Naomi Rea investigates how the trade lost control of the pricing narrative amid a market breakdown. The Armory Show announces its 2025 edition with over 230 galleries and new curated sections, while Frieze will open a gallery space in Seoul. Sotheby's London will auction Pauline Karpidas's collection estimated at over $81 million, and a rare Rodin marble sold for $1.2 million. Caroline Lang steps down as chair of Sotheby's in Switzerland after four decades. Gallerist Kamel Mennour donates 180 works to Paris's Musée d'Art Moderne, and Marian Goodman Gallery now represents the estate of Ana Mendieta.

r h quaytman robert de niro sr award

Actor Robert De Niro announced that artist R.H. Quaytman has won the 2016 Robert De Niro Sr. Prize, awarded to a mid-career painter for excellence and innovation. Quaytman, represented by Gladstone Gallery and Miguel Abreu Gallery, is known for mixed-media works on wood panels that blend photography, printmaking, and technology, often organized into series called "chapters." She will receive a $25,000 prize at a ceremony in New York on December 14. The selection committee included curators from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum.

black dandyism art history met gala 2025

The article previews the 2025 Met Gala, which coincides with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The gala's dress code will celebrate Black dandyism, inspired by Monica L. Miller's 2009 book *Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity*. Co-chairs include actor Colman Domingo, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and musician Pharrell Williams. The exhibition, guest-curated by Miller, will feature historical and contemporary clothing, artworks, and photographs organized into 12 sections such as "Respectability," "Disguise," and "Cool." The article also highlights five art historical examples of Black dandyism, including a 1772 portrait of Julius Soubise.

tony bechara painter dead el museo del barrio

Tony Bechara, a Puerto Rican-born artist known for his intricate multicolored grid paintings and his long tenure as board chair of El Museo del Barrio, died on his 83rd birthday. His death was confirmed by the museum, though no cause was given. Bechara spent decades creating labor-intensive canvases built from thousands of hand-painted quarter-inch squares, exploring randomness and controlled chaos. Beyond his studio practice, he served as board chair of El Museo del Barrio for 18 years, was a trustee at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Rail, and championed the work of painter Carmen Herrera, helping to secure her a Whitney Museum survey in 2016.

duabis alserkal avenue 2025 art dubai

Alserkal Avenue in Dubai's Al Quoz Industrial district has transformed from a cluster of warehouses and auto shops into a major cultural hub, now housing around 90 creative businesses including 17 contemporary art galleries. Founded in 2008 by Emirati patron Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, the Avenue began with a single gallery, Ayyam, and has since expanded through a $13.6 million investment to replace a marble factory with purpose-built spaces. Key galleries include Carbon 12, The Third Line, and Green Art Gallery. The centerpiece is Concrete, an exhibition hall designed by Rem Koolhaas's OMA, currently hosting Imran Qureshi's solo show 'Vanishing Points,' curated by Nada Raza. Other notable exhibitions include Michael Sailstorfer's 'Air Electric' series at Carbon 12.

Matisse Is a Crowd-Pleaser. Here’s What the Crowds Rarely Get to See

Acquavella Galleries in Manhattan has unveiled a major exhibition featuring over 50 works by Henri Matisse, many of which are rarely seen pieces drawn from private collections. This comprehensive survey includes paintings, drawings, and sculptures that span the artist's prolific career, offering a unique glimpse into works that typically remain behind closed doors.

Appropriation Culture: Richard Prince and Arthur Jafa

An upcoming exhibition at ArtReview pairs artists Richard Prince and Arthur Jafa to explore the ethics and aesthetics of image appropriation. Jafa's work, such as the video "Love is the Message, The Message is Death" (2016), uses found footage of police violence and Black cultural icons, while Prince's "Girlfriends" series rephotographs amateur snapshots from biker magazines. Jafa has cited Prince as a key influence on his own practice of transposing images across contexts.

In Venice, 22 unmissable exhibitions on the sidelines of the biennial

À Venise, 22 expositions incontournables en marge de la biennale

The article highlights 22 must-see exhibitions happening alongside the 61st Venice Biennale, which is expected to be affected by geopolitical tensions but still promises artistic vibrancy. Notable events include Bvlgari's dual projects featuring artists Lotus L. Kang, Lara Favaretto, and Monia Ben Hamouda; the unveiling of the Asscher collection at the Ama Venezia foundation with works by Charles Ray, Jenny Saville, and Richard Serra; and the inaugural exhibition "The Only True Protest Is Beauty" at the Fondation Dries Van Noten, showcasing 200 objects across fashion, design, and art. Other highlights include a dialogue between Picasso, Morandi, and Parmiggiani at the Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa.

15 Shows to See in New York City This April

Hyperallergic has published a curated list of 15 gallery and independent art exhibitions to see in New York City during April. The guide highlights shows that might be overshadowed by major institutional blockbusters, featuring artists like E. Jane, Robert Bergman, Kamrooz Aram, and Chris "DAZE" Ellis across venues in Chinatown, Chelsea, Tribeca, and Queens.

What ‘Costume Art’ Gets Wrong About the Body

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute spring exhibition, featuring nearly 400 objects, pairs garments and ensembles with Western figurative artworks from the museum's permanent collection in dyadic, associative displays. The show eschews traditional art-historical timelines and context in favor of visual and thematic parallels—comparing, for example, Rudi Gernreich's Pubikini with an Egyptian statuette, or Ying Gao's sound-responsive dress with a David Hockney drawing. The exhibition is sponsored by Jeff and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.

10 Art Books for Your Spring Reading List

Hyperallergic has published a curated list of ten art books recommended for spring reading. The selection emphasizes historical retellings through an artistic lens, featuring works such as a memoir by activist-artist Susan Simensky Bietila, a chronicle of the Jewish Bund by Molly Crabapple, and the first major catalog on artist Theresa Hak Kyung Cha in 25 years. The list also includes exhibition catalogs like "Chicano Camera Culture" and a monograph on painter Ewa Juszkiewicz.