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The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is set to open "Divine Egypt" on October 12, 2025, the museum's first large-scale exhibition of ancient Egyptian art since 2012. The show features 210 objects, including strange and surreal works such as a limestone block with carved ears, a snake with a woman's head, and a giant quartz diorite scarab representing the god Khepri. Curated by Diana Craig Patch with research associate Brendan Hainline, the exhibition focuses on about 25 of the 1,500 gods worshipped in ancient Egypt, presenting them in nonchronological mini-sections that highlight how divine iconographies were remixed and subverted over time. Most works come from the Met's own collection, with none on loan from Egypt.

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WhatsApp cofounder Jan Koum has filed a lawsuit against interior designer Remi Tessier, alleging a pattern of fraud including inflated prices and undisclosed commissions. One example involves a $7.8 million Picasso painting where Tessier allegedly received a $600,000 secret commission from the gallery. Separately, the National Museum of Korea faced backlash after posting a photo of its director with music executive Bang Si-hyuk, who is under criminal investigation for alleged stock fraud. The article also reports that Sotheby's has appointed Evelyn Lin as Asia chairman of modern and contemporary art, and that global auction sales of Old Masters rose 24% in the first half of 2025, with younger collectors increasingly buying old paintings.

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Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, a textile artist born in 1949 in Sacramento, has spent decades creating works that confront the US-Mexico border. In 2009, she was invited to participate in the group exhibition “Xicana: Spiritual Reflections/Reflexiones Espirituales” at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, California. Faced with a blank museum wall, she decided to “blow up the border,” creating her first large-scale installation, *Undocumented Border Flowers* (2010), which features a red gash representing the border surrounded by paper flowers of the four border states. This work launched her ongoing “BORDERLINES” series, which she has produced some 15 times across the country, often collaborating with schoolchildren or recently incarcerated women. Her practice is deeply personal: her father was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico of Huichol ancestry, and she spent her childhood as a migrant farmworker, following harvests along Highway 99. Her first woven artwork, *C.C. Huelga* (1974), was inspired by the United Farm Workers flag and leader César Chávez.

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Cultural authorities in Cairo have launched a nationwide search for a 3,000-year-old solid gold bracelet that disappeared from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. The artifact, once owned by King Amenemope of the 21st Dynasty, features blue lapis lazuli beads and was last seen in the museum's restoration laboratory. It was being prepared for the upcoming "Treasures of the Pharaohs" exhibition in Rome. Authorities have distributed images of the bracelet to all Egyptian airports, seaports, and land border crossings to prevent smuggling, and a specialist committee will inventory all artifacts in the laboratory.

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The Museums Association (MA) in the United Kingdom has proposed a new code of ethics that, for the first time, explicitly mentions fossil fuel companies. The guidelines recommend that museums transition away from sponsorship by organizations involved in environmental harm, human rights abuses, or other activities misaligned with museum values, and instead seek ethical funding that serves community interests. MA members will vote on ratifying the changes from September 15 until the annual conference on October 7, with the last code updated in 2015.

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A New Yorker profile of Sotheby's and its billionaire owner Patrick Drahi reveals the chaotic aftermath of the auction house's failed 2024 fee restructuring. The plan, announced in February 2024 and enacted that May, standardized seller's commissions and buyer's premiums but backfired, driving away business and causing profits to plummet. By December, Sotheby's reversed course. The article quotes former and current employees who compare Drahi's management style to Donald Trump's tariff disputes, and recounts a tense June 2024 meeting where contemporary art chairman Grégoire Billault told Drahi he was losing business, only to be told by Drahi that everyone is replaceable.

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Inigo Philbrick, the disgraced art dealer who defrauded investors and dealers out of millions of dollars, appears on camera in a forthcoming BBC documentary titled "The Great Art Fraud." Philbrick was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in US prison for wire fraud and identity theft, ordered to forfeit $86 million and two paintings, and was released early in 2024. The two-part documentary, previewed by The Guardian, features Philbrick expressing remorse but also boasting about his past deals and ambition to return to the art trade. It explores his background—son of a former museum director and a Harvard-educated writer—his internship at White Cube, and his life with socialite Victoria Baker-Harber, with whom he hid in Vanuatu before FBI arrest.

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Sotheby’s will auction Eddie Van Halen’s custom-built 1982 Kramer guitar, estimated at $2–3 million, as the centerpiece of its inaugural “Grails Week” in New York this October. The instrument, unseen for over 40 years, was played on tour, later owned by Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, and features Van Halen’s iconic red, black, and white striped design. The week-long sales series will also include Bob Dylan lyrics, Rolling Stones album artwork, and a Beatles cymbal.

national museum of asian art announces first us exhibition of masterpieces from the collection of former samsung chairman lee kun hee 1234749421

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) has announced it will host the first US exhibition of masterpieces from the collection of former Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee this fall. Titled 'Korean Treasures', the show will feature over 200 items spanning 1,500 years, including a dozen National Treasures designated by the Korean government, many exhibited in the US for the first time. Co-organized with the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea, the exhibition includes ancient Buddhist sculptures, ceramics, paintings, furnishings, and modern works. Highlights include Jeong Seon’s 'Clearing after Rain on Mount Inwang' (1751) and a 1459 woodblock-print book compiled by King Sejo. Nine items from the Leeum Museum of Art will be shown exclusively at the NMAA before the exhibition travels to Chicago and the British Museum.

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The Bayeux Tapestry, a 900-year-old embroidery depicting the Norman Conquest of 1066, will be loaned from France to the British Museum for a blockbuster exhibition running from September 2026 to July 2027. French officials reportedly lobbied for discounted or free entry for French citizens, a request British negotiators dismissed as a "try-on" that was "never going to happen." The loan, first proposed in 2018 by then-Prime Minister Theresa May, was delayed over fragility concerns and finally confirmed during President Emmanuel Macron's state visit. In exchange, Britain will send the Sutton Hoo treasures and the Lewis Chessmen to France. French negotiators also floated borrowing the Rosetta Stone, but that proposal failed as the artifact is considered immovable.

manhattan das office returns over 30 antiquities to spain italy and hungary 1234749145

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, led by Alvin Bragg and the Antiquities Trafficking Unit under Matthew Bogdanos, has repatriated over 30 antiquities to Spain, Italy, and Hungary. The returned objects include a 1st-century CE marble head of Alexander the Great as Helios, a 1675 Jesuit manuscript stolen during World War II, and several 6th-century Visigoth pendants trafficked by Robin Symes and sold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1990. The items were seized from traffickers including Giacomo Medici, Giovanni Franco Becchina, Robin Symes, Robert Hecht, Eugene Alexander, and Edoardo Almagià, who is awaiting extradition from Italy.

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James Sundquist and Jack Chase founded U-Haul Gallery in May 2024, a commercial art space operating out of rented U-Haul trucks to bypass New York's high real estate costs. The gallery mounts pop-up exhibitions in unconventional locations, such as public parks and sporting events, and recently staged a performance titled "Show of Stolen Goods" by artist Victoria Gill. This September, the duo will launch the U-Haul Art Fair, running concurrently with the Armory Show in West Chelsea, featuring 10 exhibitors each stationed in their own U-Haul truck.

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A bitter legal battle has erupted between prominent art advisors Barbara Guggenheim and her former partner Abigail Asher, whose firm Guggenheim Asher Associates (GAA) has collapsed. Guggenheim accused Asher of misusing firm funds for personal expenses and claiming up to $20.5 million in future commissions. Asher countersued, alleging Guggenheim stole money for personal costs including her husband's funeral, bullied her, and encouraged her to build a relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The dispute has drawn widespread attention in the art world, with collector Sylvain Levy calling it a moment of reckoning for an industry built on trust and discretion.

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The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted an image of Morgan Weistling's oil painting "New Life in A New Land" on its X account with the caption "Remember Your Homeland’s Heritage," without obtaining the artist's permission. Weistling publicly stated that the use was a violation of his copyright, expressing surprise and seeking next steps. The painting depicts a pioneer family in a covered wagon, and DHS had also recently used a Thomas Kinkade work without apparent authorization.

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NSCAD University (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) in Halifax has reported a dramatic surge in applications and acceptances from US-based students for fall 2025, driven by tightening US immigration policies under the Trump administration. Undergraduate applications from the US spiked 220%, acceptances rose 186%, and student responses increased 66%, with interest coming from 23 different states. NSCAD president Jana Macalik noted that student feedback cited concerns over trans rights, disability, same-sex marriage, and women's freedoms as motivating factors. Similar trends are being seen at other Canadian institutions like the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and Alberta University of the Arts.

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A number of artists have accused art dealer Reco Sturgis, founder of the now-closed Hugo Galerie in New York, of withholding artworks, failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in owed funds, and making violent threats. Sturgis has been named in legal proceedings by artists seeking unpaid sales proceeds, and has been sued by his landlord and multiple companies for outstanding debts exceeding $1 million. Artists including British sculptor Beth Carter, Joseph Paxton, and French artist Patrick Pietropoli report that Sturgis owes them significant sums, sold works without payment, and refused to return pieces.

EU imposes sanctions on Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of Russia's State Hermitage Museum

The European Union has imposed sanctions on Mikhail Piotrovsky, the director of Russia's State Hermitage Museum, as part of its 20th sanctions package adopted on 23 April. Piotrovsky, a vocal supporter of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is cited for being a close associate of Vladimir Putin and for actively supporting the war, including justifying Russian cultural policies that incorporate Ukrainian museum items into Russia's State Museum Fund and enabling unauthorized archaeological excavations in occupied Crimea. The sanctions also target three other cultural officials involved in the Crimean digs. Meanwhile, Hermitage archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, arrested in Poland in December 2025 at Ukraine's request, was released in a prisoner exchange on 28 April.

Israel’s foreign ministry accuses Venice Biennale's jury of ‘politicising’ exhibition

Israel’s foreign ministry has accused the Venice Biennale's jury of politicizing the exhibition after jurors announced they would not consider for prizes countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court charges for crimes against humanity. The jury’s statement, which did not name specific nations, is broadly understood to apply to Israel and Russia, both returning to the Biennale for the first time since the Gaza war and the Ukraine invasion, respectively. The Israeli ministry posted on X that the jury had decided to 'boycott' Israeli sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru, calling it 'a contamination of the art world.' The Biennale distanced itself from the jury’s announcement, stating the jury acts autonomously, while the Russian pavilion is reportedly set to open only for a limited pre-opening period due to budget constraints amid sanctions.

TikTok Shop adds ‘fine art’ category—will it disrupt the art market?

TikTok Shop has launched a new "fine art" category within its collectibles section, allowing artists to sell original artworks directly through shoppable videos, photographs, and livestreams. The category debuted with a three-hour live sale by artist Sophie Tea, who created a series of 20 oil paintings titled *Bric-a-Brac* and sold them for £2,800 each. The sale faced technical glitches—items added to baskets were prematurely marked as sold, causing confusion—and required workarounds for TikTok's pricing caps, automatic discounts, and shipping policies.

Art Basel's solution to PDF pre-sales? Ask galleries to reserve works until opening day

Art Basel has announced a new initiative called Basel Exclusive for its flagship Swiss fair in June 2025, asking participating galleries to withhold their most important or expensive works from all pre-fair previews, online viewing rooms, and publicity. Instead, these "marquee works" will be unveiled for the first time during the First Choice VIP preview on 16 June. The initiative aims to restore a sense of surprise and urgency, countering the trend of galleries pre-selling works to clients before the fair opens. Around 170 galleries have already signed up, including major names like Gagosian, David Zwirner, Hauser & Wirth, Pace Gallery, and Sadie Coles HQ.

More than 200 cultural figures sign statement criticising international response to destruction of Iran’s heritage

More than 200 international scholars and cultural heritage professionals have signed a joint statement condemning the United States and Israel for inflicting "irreversible damage" on Iran’s cultural heritage. The group, which includes academics from leading global institutions, alleges that recent military strikes have damaged over 130 UNESCO-registered monuments and museums, including the Senate Palace in Tehran and sites in Isfahan. They argue these actions violate the 1954 Hague Convention and criticize international bodies like UNESCO for failing to issue a sufficiently forceful response.

Louisiana State Museum reaccreditation decision delayed until June 2027

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has tabled the reaccreditation decision for the Louisiana State Museum (LSM) system until June 2027. While the system’s ten sites remain accredited during this period, the delay indicates that the AAM requires the institution to address specific concerns regarding its governance and operational structure. The LSM, which oversees significant cultural assets like the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum, has recently navigated a period marked by lawsuits, public controversy, and unfavorable audits.

Dresden museum wins Tefaf award for Rubens restoration

The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden has received the Tefaf Museum Restoration Fund award for its ongoing restoration of Peter Paul Rubens's 17th-century painting 'The Boar Hunt'. The project involves removing discolored 19th-century varnish and undoing damaging 19th-century stabilization attempts that caused cracks in the wooden panel, aiming to reveal the work's original dynamism and palette.

Venice Biennale Jury Resigns in the Wake of Controversial Prize Ban

The jury for the 2026 Venice Biennale has resigned just days before the public opening on May 9, after announcing on April 22 that it would not consider artists from countries accused of crimes against humanity for the Golden and Silver Lion prizes. The jury, consisting of Solange Oliveira Farks (president), Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, cited its earlier statement of intention in its resignation, which directly impacted the participation of Russia and Israel—both subject to International Criminal Court warrants. In response, the Biennale postponed the awards ceremony from May 9 to November 22 and replaced the traditional jury with a public vote for best participant and best national participation, framing the move as upholding openness and rejecting censorship.

Dartmouth Students Renew Calls to Remove Leon Black’s Name From Arts Center

Students at Dartmouth College have intensified their campaign to remove billionaire collector Leon Black’s name from the school’s visual arts center. The renewed push follows the release of Department of Justice files detailing Black’s extensive financial ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including $170 million in payments for tax and estate advice. While Black has denied all allegations of misconduct and his legal team maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities, student leaders are citing the college's recent decision to strip César Chávez’s name from a fellowship as a precedent for moral accountability.

Jack Kerouac’s Fabled ‘On the Road’ Scroll Sells for Record-Smashing $12.1 Million

Jack Kerouac's original 120-foot scroll manuscript for 'On the Road' sold for $12.1 million at Christie's, setting a record for a literary manuscript. The scroll, part of the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's collection, was purchased by country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan, who plans to create a Jack Kerouac Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Middle East, Ultra-Contemporary Old Masters, and the Meloni Fresco

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The art world is navigating a significant shift in regional power and aesthetic trends, highlighted by the inaugural Art Basel Qatar. This expansion into the Middle East signals a potential recalibration of global cultural influence, while simultaneously, the 'Ultra-Contemporary' market is pivoting toward 'Old Master' aesthetics and historical estates as a response to mounting economic pressures.

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The College of Visual Arts and Design Galleries at the University of North Texas abruptly canceled the solo exhibition "Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There)" by artist Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez after it had been fully installed. The show, which includes works from his "I.C.E. Scream" series critically rebranding Immigration and Customs Enforcement as "Inhumane and Cruelty Enforcement," was removed without explanation, and gallery staff ceased communication with the artist.

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Art Karlsruhe returns for its 23rd edition from February 5–8, 2026, at Messe Karlsruhe in Rheinstetten, Germany. The fair brings together roughly 180 galleries from 18 countries, spanning 120 years of art history with dedicated halls for classical Modernism and contemporary art. New participants include Boston's Chase Young Gallery and Tehran's Maryam Fasihi Harandi Gallery, alongside a strong German contingent. Special sculpture areas feature works by Robert Schad, Martin Hollebecq, Koloman Wagner, and Sonja Edle von Hoeßle.

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Shamnoski Gallery, a new brick-and-mortar space focused on postwar abstraction, opened on New York's Upper East Side in November 2025. Founded by Matthew Shamnoski, the gallery evolved from his online platform Projects 28 and champions mid- to late-20th-century artists and estates, particularly those historically overlooked. The gallery's inaugural exhibition, "John Grillo: Collages 1952–1962," reflects its mission to provide sustained presentation and scholarship for artists within this lineage.