Re-opening of Sainsbury Wing at National Gallery

The Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery in London has reopened after a three-year refurbishment, inaugurated by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The wing now serves as the main entrance, featuring large windows that flood the foyer with natural light, a high-tech screen showcasing masterpieces, and a rehang of the collection that groups early Renaissance and early Christian art together in rooms 51-66. Notable highlights include Sir Richard Long's 'Mud Sun', Paula Rego's 'Crivelli's Garden', a new unsigned Netherlandish altarpiece, and the temporary display of the Coronation portraits of the King and Queen until June 5th.

Christie's 20/21 sales achieve $693 million

Christie's 20th and 21st Century Art sales in New York from 12-15 May 2025 achieved a total of $693 million across six sales, reaching 123% of the low estimate. The top lot was Piet Mondrian's 1922 painting *Composition with Large Red Plane, Bluish Gray, Yellow, Black and Blue*, which sold for $47.56 million. Other highlights included Claude Monet's *Peupliers au bord de l'Epte, crépuscule* (1891) at $42.96 million, and Marlene Dumas's *Miss January* (1997), which set a record for a living female artist. The Leonard & Louise Riggio collection alone brought $272 million, while the 20th Century Evening Sale achieved $217 million with a 100% sell-through rate. New artist records were set for Dorothea Tanning, Remedios Varo, Louis Fratino, Simone Leigh, and Emma McIntyre.

María Jesús Valenzuela: Winter Flowers

MARÍA JESÚS VALENZUELA: FLORES DE INVIERNO

María Jesús Valenzuela presents her solo exhibition "Flores de Invierno" (Winter Flowers) at Galería NAC in Santiago, Chile. The exhibition showcases a multidisciplinary approach to the natural world, featuring hand-embroidered cotton paper, color pencil drawings, and fine art photography. Valenzuela’s work acts as a contemporary field notebook, documenting landscapes ranging from the mangroves of Caddo Lake to the forests of Curaumilla, utilizing both ancient techniques like embroidery and modern digital printing.

con artist charged for fraudulent sale of courbet painting 1234764258

American con artist Thomas Doyle, 68, has been charged with wire fraud for allegedly defrauding London gallery owner Patrick Matthiesen over a Gustave Courbet painting. Doyle claimed to manage a family trust with billions in assets and offered to broker the sale of Courbet's 1844 oil painting *Mother and Child on a Hammock* without commission. Instead, he delivered the work to his partner Shalva Sarukhanishvili, who sold it to Jill Newhouse Gallery for $115,000; the gallery then resold it to collector Jon Landau for $125,000. Matthiesen received no proceeds and filed a lawsuit against Doyle, Sarukhanishvili, Jill Newhouse Gallery, and Landau. Doyle has a prior fraud conviction involving a Corot painting and was described by a judge as a "career criminal."

matthiesen gallery lawsuit jill newhouse jon landau courbet 1234755812

The Matthiesen Gallery in London has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York alleging fraud, breach of contract, and other counts over a Gustave Courbet painting, *Mother and Child on a Hammock*. The gallery claims that Thomas Austin Doyle, a convicted con man, orchestrated a scheme to defraud director Patrick Matthiesen, selling the painting—valued at $650,000—through artist and dealer Shalva Sarukhanishvili to Jill Newhouse Gallery for $115,000, which then sold it to top collector Jon Landau for $125,000. The lawsuit also names Landau, who allegedly viewed the work multiple times at TEFAF fairs knowing its retail price, yet refuses to return it. Doyle has a long criminal history, including prior convictions for art fraud and theft.

parties moma ps1 50th anniversary

MoMA PS1 kicked off its 50th anniversary year with an intimate cocktail event at the Tribeca townhome of board member Michi Jigarjian, hosted by the museum's patron group the Greater New Yorkers. Over 100 guests—including artists, collectors, dealers, and curators—gathered for remarks from Director Connie Butler, Chief Curator Ruba Katrib, and co-chairs Leslie Fritz, Ed Tang, and Amitha Raman, followed by a performance by experimental cellist Dorothy Carlos. Attendees received a first look at the upcoming quinquennial exhibition "Greater New York 2026," which will feature over 50 New York-based artists, with a partial list including Farah Al Qasimi, Fields Harrington, Hardy Hill, Sofia Sinibaldi, and Julia Wachtel.

Basquiat's intense works on paper are at the center of his first exhibition in Denmark

Le intense opere su carta di Basquiat sono al centro della sua prima mostra in Danimarca

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, is hosting "Headstrong," a retrospective of 50 works on paper by Jean-Michel Basquiat, running until May 17. The exhibition focuses on Basquiat's depictions of the human head and body, created between 1981 and 1983, and first shown posthumously in 1990. It is the first solo museum presentation of Basquiat in Scandinavia, featuring loans from private collections and international museums, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of the artist's practice.

Roma accoglie all’Ara Pacis 52 importanti opere dell’Impressionismo provenienti da Detroit

The Museo dell'Ara Pacis in Rome is hosting an exhibition titled 'Impressionismo e oltre' (Impressionism and Beyond), featuring 52 masterpieces on loan from the Detroit Institute of Arts. Curated by Ilaria Miarelli Mariani and Claudio Zambianchi, the show spans from the 1840s to the early 20th century, tracing the evolution of European painting through Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and the avant-garde. Works by Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, and others are displayed across thematic sections that explore the shift from academic tradition to modern visual language.

Guide to Cultural Festivals in Italy in April 2026: PARMA 360, Turin Jazz, Rome Science, Genoa of the Arts

Guida ai festival culturali in Italia di aprile 2026: PARMA 360, Torino Jazz, Scienze di Roma, Genova delle arti

The Italian cultural landscape in April 2026 features a diverse array of festivals, headlined by the 10th anniversary of PARMA 360. This contemporary creativity festival, themed 'LUX. Visions on Light,' transforms the city of Parma into a widespread laboratory with exhibitions across 22 locations. Other notable events include the Symeoni Festival in Ferrara, which celebrates the art of movie posters and the legacy of painter Sandro Simeoni, alongside various music and educational programs.

Best Bets: Rosemont hosts Spring Fun Fest and Anime Central

This article is a roundup of upcoming events in the Chicago area, primarily focused on the Rosemont suburb. It announces the annual Spring Fun Fest at Parkway Bank Park on May 16, featuring family activities and music, and the return of Anime Central, a major anime and Japanese pop-culture convention, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from May 15-17. The article also lists several other cultural happenings, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's all-French program, a new exhibition at the Driehaus Museum titled "Ink & Outrage: 18th Century Satirical Prints in London & Dublin," an improv performance by Bluebird Improv at the Studebaker Theater, and a Chamber Blues concert by Corky Siegel at Space in Evanston.

Exhibitions set to open in Paris in May 2026: what's new to discover this month

A roundup of new art and cultural exhibitions opening in Paris and the Île-de-France region in May 2026 is announced. Highlights include the annual Rambolitrain toy train fair at Rambolitrain museum on May 1, free evening hours at the Bourse de Commerce on May 2, free entry to castles and museums in Yvelines and Seine-et-Marne on May 3, the Tour Auto classic car display under the Grand Palais glass roof on May 3-4, the Circle of Parisian Artists' 24th annual exhibition at Parc Floral from May 4-31, a new garden art exhibition "Jardin des Lumières" at the Grand Trianon in Versailles from May 5 to September 27, and a major Hilma af Klint exhibition at the Grand Palais.

Hidden Detroit: Art Galleries You May Have Overlooked

This Detroit City Guide article highlights ten overlooked art galleries and cultural spaces across the city, including Wasserman Projects in Eastern Market, the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery at Wayne State University, Center Galleries at the College for Creative Studies, Galerie Camille, the historic Scarab Club, Detroit Artists Market, Ellen Kayrod Gallery, Schinkel Fine Art, and the N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art. Each venue is described with its unique focus, from diaspora-inspired ceramics and student showcases to artist residencies and senior artist platforms, with several exhibitions closing in April 2025.

Autumn Arts: Visual Art

Seattle's galleries and museums are launching a fall season of exhibitions addressing politics, identity, and the environment, alongside works celebrating beauty. Highlights include Karey Kessler's map-inspired show 'the Where' at Shift Gallery, Ethan Murrow and Mary Finlayson exhibitions at Winston Wächter Fine Art, Anila Quayyum Agha's immersive light installation 'Geometry of Light' at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and a politically charged neon show 'Call It What It Is' at The Factory. The city-wide Art + Culture Week returns for its second edition, featuring free events across 12 neighborhoods.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Calls on King Charles to Return Treasured Diamond to India

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly called on King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond to India during the British monarch's visit to New York City on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference before a 9/11 commemoration ceremony, Mamdani said he would encourage the King to return the diamond, which was given to Queen Victoria in 1850 after Britain's colonial governor-general arranged its exchange from a deposed Indian leader. The two leaders later met at the ceremony, but Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the discussion.

art artists and mothers nonprofit organization

Since 2024, the nonprofit organization Artists & Mothers has been addressing a critical gap in the art world by offering grants for nine months of childcare to New York-based artists with children under three. The organization was founded by Julia Trotta and Maria De Victoria, with board members including Camille Henrot, Bridget Donahue, Maia Ruth Lee, Sarah Goulet, and Elizabeth Karp-Evans. In a Q&A format, the group discusses their motivations, influences, and hopes for a more equitable art world, highlighting works such as Lea Lublin's 1968 performance "Mon fils" and anticipating Ei Arakawa-Nash's Japanese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

parties young arts gala 2026 met museum

YoungArts hosted its 2026 gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Temple of Dendur, honoring actor Marisa Tomei with the Arison Award and featuring ballerina Misty Copeland and artist Glenn Ligon as honorary co-chairs. The event drew a crowd of notable arts figures including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Anne Pasternak, Max Hollein, Cecilia Alemani, and artists KAWS, Taryn Simon, and Camille Henrot, with performances by YoungArts alumni directed by Caleb Teicher.

art lauren halsey sculpture park los angeles

Los Angeles-based artist Lauren Halsey has realized a long-held dream with the opening of "sister dreamer," a public sculpture park at the corner of Western Avenue and 76th Street in South Central LA. The park features eight 22-foot-tall pillars modeled after local heroes, sphinxes, benches, fountains, native plants, and gardens, and will remain for 18 months before finding a permanent home. It also serves as a hub for Halsey's nonprofit Summaeverythang Community Center, offering free programming in art, education, and wellness, including partnerships with the Broad, tutoring, yoga, and community dinners.

parties cultured at home anthony roth costanza

Cultured magazine hosted a launch party at opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo's New York apartment to celebrate the debut issue of its interiors magazine, 'CULTURED at Home.' Guests including artists Cassie Griffin and Francesca DiMattio, curator Jarrett Earnest, fashion designers Jackson Wiederhoeft and Tanner Richie, and other creative figures gathered in Costanzo's historic Chelsea home, a former residence of architect David Webster, for cocktails, snacks, and a striking ice sculpture featuring the magazine.

art studio museum harlem reopening

The Studio Museum in Harlem will reopen on November 15 after a seven-year closure, unveiling a new seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot building designed by Adjaye Associates and executed by Cooper Robertson. To mark the occasion, Cultured magazine convened three conceptual artists—Nikita Gale, Camille Norment, and Sable Elyse Smith—who received early support from the museum, each reflecting on how the institution shaped their careers. Norment, featured in the 2001 exhibition "Freestyle," is creating a new installation for the reopening; Gale and Smith both participated in the 2017 show "Fictions."

reefline underwater art project miami beach leandro erlich 1234772956

The Reefline, a non-profit eco-art initiative, has launched its first phase of a seven-mile underwater sculpture park and artificial reef along Miami Beach. The project debuted with 'Concrete Coral' by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich, a submerged sculpture depicting a traffic jam designed to provide a habitat for marine life. Future phases include works by Carlos Betancourt, Alberto Latorre, and Petroc Sesti, all overseen by the architecture firm OMA and founder Ximena Caminos.

neo pointillism revival 2612834

Santina Semadar Panetta, a Canadian artist, is pioneering Neo-Pointillism, a contemporary evolution of the 19th-century pointillist style. She creates vibrant, intricate paintings that blend portraiture and landscape, using bold color palettes and meticulous technique. Panetta is the only Canadian artist selected for the Biennale di Palermo, Biennale di Mantova, and the Biennale of the Nations in Venice, and her work was recently featured at the LA Art Show. In an interview, she discusses her shift from journalism to art, inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, and her academic training at Académie Art et Beaux, which led her to develop a philosophical and rhetorical approach to Neo-Pointillism.

phillips modern contemporary art auction report francis bacon 1234762505

Phillips held its modern and contemporary evening sale in New York on Wednesday, following Christie’s and Sotheby’s auctions that had already generated nearly $1.4 billion. The 33-lot sale achieved $67.3 million, a 24% increase from the equivalent sale last year, with a 94% sell-through rate. Headlining lots included an untitled Joan Mitchell painting ($14.3 million), a Francis Bacon diptych ($16 million), and a juvenile triceratops skeleton that sold for $5.3 million, exceeding its high estimate. Only two lots failed to sell, and notable results included works by Ruth Asawa, Firelei Báez, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Max Ernst.

new yorker covers marilyn minter awol erizku 1234751997

The New Yorker has commissioned six contemporary photographers—Marilyn Minter, Awol Erizku, Ryan McGinley, Collier Schorr, Camila Falquez, and Alex Prager—to reimagine historical illustrated covers for the magazine’s centennial. Each photographer created a celebrity portrait inspired by a past cover, such as Erizku’s photo of Spike Lee as Eustace Tilley and Minter’s recreation of a 1925 cover featuring actress Sadie Sink. The project marks only the third time in the magazine’s history that photography has been used for its cover.

2025 bienal de sao paulo artist list 1234744762

The Bienal de São Paulo has announced the 120 artists for its 2025 edition, titled “Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice,” opening September 6 at the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion. Curated by Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, the selection was inspired by bird migration patterns and rivers, aiming to avoid nation-state classifications. Notable participants include Isa Genzken, Firelei Báez, Wolfgang Tillmans, Forensic Architecture, and 19 Brazil-based artists, alongside 20 deceased figures such as Bertina Lopes and Ernest Cole.

amalia ulman magic farm film art 1234740138

Amalia Ulman, who gained fame in 2014 for her Instagram performance "Excellences and Perfections," is now an accomplished filmmaker. Her second feature, "Magic Farm," starring Chloë Sevigny, follows a crew of American journalists traveling to Argentina to record an episode about a musician, only to encounter locals affected by pesticide pollution. The film is an absurdist satire of American hipsters, continuing Ulman's pivot from visual art to cinema after her debut dark comedy "El Planeta" (2021).

A Mirrored Monet review – painter reflects on his past in a musical with heart and humour

A new musical titled 'A Mirrored Monet' explores the life of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, focusing on his later years as he reflects on his youth, his artistic struggles, and the personal sacrifices he made, particularly regarding his first wife Camille. The production uses innovative set design to immerse the audience in the Impressionist style and features a strong cast portraying Monet and his contemporaries.

The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism

This article presents a visual survey of works by Camille Pissarro, a key figure in Impressionism, featuring paintings such as "The Garden of Les Mathurins, property of the Deraismes Sisters, Pontoise" (1876), "The Pont-Neuf, Afternoon, Sunlight" (1901), and "Self-Portrait" (1873). The images are drawn from major museum collections including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Musée d'Orsay, and the National Gallery of Art, among others. The article also promotes a members-only experience of a Pissarro exhibition.

Repeat art fraudster arrested for stealing Courbet painting

London gallery owner Patrick Matthiesen consigned a Gustave Courbet painting, *Mother and Child on a Hammock* (1844), to the Nicholas Hall Gallery in New York for Tefaf Maastricht 2023, listed at $650,000. After it failed to sell, Matthiesen was contacted by a man calling himself Thomas Doyle (also A.J. Doyle), who claimed to be a former US Air Force pilot, government contractor, and art dealer with family ties to Doyle Auctions. Despite Doyle having 11 prior fraud convictions—including stealing a bronze Degas statue in 2007—Matthiesen was convinced by artworks Doyle sent for inspection, including works attributed to El Greco, Rubens, and a Michelangelo drawing. In 2024, Doyle borrowed the Courbet to show a potential buyer and never returned it. Doyle has now been arrested for the theft.

Oodles of Art Shows to Ogle Over This Fall

Santa Barbara's fall 2025 art season offers a diverse array of exhibitions across museums and galleries, from contemporary printmaking at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History to Impressionist masterworks at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Highlights include John Comer's seascapes at Santa Barbara Fine Art, David Florimbi's retrospective at the new Separate Reality gallery, and a joint show by Joan Rosenberg-Dent and Sarita Reynolds at Art & Soul Gallery. The California Nature Art Museum also celebrates its 25th anniversary with a solo exhibition by founder Patti Jacquemain.

parties golden goose marco brambilla wolfsonian fiu

Golden Goose and the Wolfsonian–FIU Museum and Research Center co-hosted a toast for Marco Brambilla's exhibition "After Utopia" during Miami Art Week. The event offered a first look at Brambilla's dreamscapes, which feature A.I.-run surrealist landscapes with shimmering steel towers, on view through March 1. Guests included artists, photographers, gallerists, and patrons, with a follow-up Co-Creation moment at Golden Goose Miami Design District.