Obituary | Umberto Allemandi, visionary publisher who founded 'Il Giornale dell’Arte', has died aged 88

Umberto Allemandi, the influential Italian publisher and founder of 'Il Giornale dell’Arte', has died at the age of 88. After early career stints in advertising with Armando Testa and directing 'Bolaffi Arte', Allemandi launched his own publishing house in 1982. His most significant contribution was the creation of a monthly publication designed with the rigor and layout of a daily newspaper, dedicated entirely to the art world and modeled after London’s 'The Times'.

A brush with… Martina Droth, director of the Yale Center for British Art

Martina Droth, the recently appointed director of the Yale Center for British Art, shares her personal and professional perspectives on the role of art in society. In this interview, she reflects on her formative experiences traveling in Egypt, her reading habits that range from museum leadership to human behavior, and the daily inspiration she finds working alongside 18th-century landscapes by Richard Wilson.

Review: Art museum’s big fall fashion show is captivating, sexy and fun, albeit with glitches

The Cleveland Museum of Art has opened a major fall exhibition titled "Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses," featuring roughly 80 garments and accessories from top Italian fashion houses such as Gucci, Pucci, Armani, Versace, Valentino, Ferragamo, Max Mara, and Missoni. The show juxtaposes these modern and contemporary designs with over 40 Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque artworks from the museum's collection, exploring how Italian couture has drawn inspiration from art history. A digital video installation by filmmaker Francesco Carrozzini and photographer Henry Hargreaves, using AI technology, humorously depicts models "invading" the museum, underscoring fashion's disruptive cultural power. Despite some pacing and spatial choreography issues, the exhibition makes a compelling case for fashion as high art.

‘This is how art history is built’: unprecedented Mumbai exhibition unites works of Indian and Arab Modernism

A new exhibition titled 'Resonant Histories' has opened at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) museum, running until 16 February 2026. It is the first show to focus on the relationship between Indian and Arab Modernism, featuring over 40 works lent by the Sharjah-based Barjeel Art Foundation alongside pieces from Mumbai's Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation (JNAF). The exhibition highlights visual and thematic resonances between artists from both regions, such as Syrian painter Marwan Kassab-Bachi and Indian master Francis Newton Souza, and addresses shared post-colonial struggles through works by artists like Chittaprosad Bhattacharya, Krishen Khanna, Abdul Qader Al Rais, and Naim Ismail. It also explores direct cultural exchanges, for example Egyptian artist Nazek Hamdi's adaptation of Bengali folk-art.

Studio Museum reopens, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, Stanley Spencer in Suffolk—podcast

The Studio Museum in Harlem has opened its first-ever purpose-built space, designed by Adjaye Associates, with director Thelma Golden leading the institution into a new era. In Egypt, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has finally opened in Cairo. Meanwhile, the exhibition "Love & Landscape: Stanley Spencer in Suffolk" is on view at Gainsborough's House in Sudbury, featuring the painting "Tree and Chicken Coops, Wangford" (1925) by Stanley Spencer, with co-curator Amy Lim discussing the work.

SILSILA: Highlights from the Dalloul Collection Including Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art - Christie's

Christie's will hold a live auction titled 'SILSILA: Highlights from the Dalloul Collection including Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art' on 6 November 2025 at King Street, London, with an online sale running from 28 October to 11 November. The evening sale features 20 exceptional works from the esteemed Dalloul Collection in Beirut, Lebanon, led by masterpieces from artists such as Mohamed Melehi, Mahmoud Saïd, Dia Al-Azzawi, Marwan, Huguette Caland, Paul Guiragossian, Samia Halaby, and Kamal Boullata. A preview will be held at Christie's Dubai from 3-10 October, showcasing highlights including Guiragossian's 'Automne (Autumn)', El Rayess's 'Soukhour Meyrouba', and Said's 'La colline de Mekarzel'.

13 Art Exhibitions You Don’t Want To Miss This Fall

This fall, galleries and museums across the United States are presenting a series of exhibitions centered on Black life, ranging from historic pioneers to contemporary voices. Highlights include Athi-Patra Ruga's immersive installation 'Lord, I gotta keep on (movin')' at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, which imagines a queer Black nation called Azania; 'Edmonia Lewis: Indelible Impressions' at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center, showcasing the 19th-century sculptor's Neoclassical works; and 'Data Consciousness: Reframing Blackness in Contemporary Print' in New York, inspired by W. E. B. Du Bois's data visualizations. Other notable shows include 'A Taste of Beauty' at the Crocker Art Museum, featuring carved African spoons, and the reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem, alongside the global energy of Art Basel Miami Beach.

Alexandria Biennale—third-oldest after Venice and São Paulo—announces return following 12-year hiatus

The Alexandria Biennale, the third-oldest biennial in the world after Venice and São Paulo, is relaunching in September 2026 after a 12-year hiatus. Curated by Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr under the title "This Too Shall Pass," the event will feature artists mainly from the Mediterranean basin, along with performances, music, and lectures. In a shift from its previous state-funded model, the biennial now operates as a private-public partnership, with seed money from the Egyptian and Alexandria governments and pledges from local businesses. The exhibition will take place at historic venues across Alexandria, including the Roman amphitheatre, the Alexandria Library, and the Qaitbay Citadel.

This Week at LACMA

LACMA announces a week of programming from August 18–24, headlined by the opening of *Now Showing: Youssef Nabil’s I Saved My Belly Dancer*, an exhibition featuring the artist’s 2015 video starring Tahar Rahim and Salma Hayek, alongside related photographs and Egyptian movie posters. Member previews run August 21–23 before the public opening on August 24. Other highlights include a mindful evening with Buddhist art tied to the ongoing exhibition *Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia*, plus concerts, workshops, and family programs.

In pictures: Art Basel's Unlimited section offers visions of utopia

Art Basel's Unlimited section, curated by Giovanni Carmine, features monumental works and performances with themes of utopia, community, and being in sync. Highlights include Oscar Murillo's participatory drawing installation, David Owens' film on Lonnie Holley, Alia Farid's tapestries on Middle Eastern-Cuban migration, Taloi Havini's shell money piece, Atelier Van Lieshout's 160-sculpture march to utopia, Andrea Büttner's shame punishment prints, and Mario Merz's inhabitable igloo.

Was Beyoncé's Met Gala gown inspired by a Louisiana artist and her Creole heritage?

Beyoncé attended the 2026 Met Gala in a translucent gown by Olivier Rousteing, adorned with a bejeweled skeleton motif. Online sources suggest the design was inspired by 'Visitor,' a 1944 lithograph by Louisiana artist Caroline Durieux, who was a professor at Tulane University and LSU. The artwork, held by the LSU Museum of Art, depicts a skeleton in a translucent frock, echoing the gown's aesthetic. Art collector Jeremy K. Simien noted Durieux's influence and the potential value boost to the print from the Beyoncé connection.

Major, International Touring Exhibition ‘Treasures of the Pharaohs’ Coming to the Kimbell Art Museum in 2027

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, announced it will host the major international touring exhibition 'Treasures of the Pharaohs' from March 14 to September 19, 2027. Featuring 130 artifacts from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum, the exhibition spans 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, including royal treasures, newly discovered objects from the 'Golden City' in the Valley of the Kings, and works from Dynasty I to the Ptolemaic period. The exhibition is currently on view at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome and will travel to the de Young museum in San Francisco before arriving at the Kimbell.

Hamed Abdalla | Untitled (1972) | For Sale

Hamed Abdalla's 1972 painting "Untitled" is being offered for sale through Mark Hachem Gallery, listed on Artsy. The work is an acrylic on canvas measuring 92 × 65 cm, hand-signed by the artist, and includes a certificate of authenticity. Abdalla (1917–1985) was a pioneering Egyptian modernist who developed the concept of the "Creative Word," blending abstraction with human forms. His career included exhibitions at Cairo's Museum of Modern Art, the Louvre in Paris, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and his works are held in major institutions such as the Tate Modern, the Barjeel Art Collection, and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

Hamed Abdalla | Al Beous, Misery (1961) | For Sale

Hamed Abdalla's 1961 work "Al Beous, Misery" is being offered for sale through Mark Hachem Gallery, listed on Artsy. The piece is an ink on paper from glue relief, measuring 33 × 46 cm, hand-signed, and includes a certificate of authenticity. Abdalla (1917–1985) was a pioneering Egyptian and Arab modernist, known for his "Creative Word" concept blending abstraction and human forms. His career included exhibitions at Cairo's Museum of Modern Art, the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Tate Modern, among others.

Review: Thomias Radin, Echoes of KA at Esther Schipper, Berlin

Thomias Radin’s fourth solo exhibition at Esther Schipper in Berlin, titled "Echoes of Ka," presents a multidisciplinary environment blending painting, woodwork, and installation. The Guadeloupe-born artist draws heavily from Caribbean embodied knowledge, dance philosophy, and the ancient Egyptian concept of 'Ka'—a vital life force—to transform the gallery into a choreographed 'secret garden.' The works, characterized by vibrant colors and gestural oil paintings on raw linen, are informed by Radin’s collaboration with dance scholar Léna Blou and his own practice of improvisation.

Thoroughly Modern Maastricht: why Tefaf is embracing the 20th century

TEFAF Maastricht is reinforcing its position as a premier destination for high-end collectors by increasingly integrating 20th-century secondary market material alongside its traditional Old Masters and antiquities. Despite a period of leadership instability—marked by the recent departure of managing director Dominique Savelkoul after less than a year—the fair remains a critical fixture for 276 exhibitors. This year's edition highlights a diverse range of objects spanning 7,000 years, from Neolithic pottery to contemporary photography and high jewelry worn by celebrities like Helen Mirren.

National Assembly Unanimously Votes on Law for Restitution of Looted Colonial Works, but with Restrictions

L’Assemblée vote à l’unanimité la loi sur la restitution des œuvres pillées pendant la colonisation, mais avec des restrictions

The French National Assembly has unanimously passed a landmark law establishing a permanent legal framework for the restitution of cultural property looted during the colonial era. Moving away from the previous requirement for case-by-case legislation, the new law allows the government to return artifacts via decree following consultations with scientific and parliamentary commissions. This shift fulfills a long-standing promise to simplify the return of African heritage currently held in French public collections.

Brooklyn Museum Plans $13 Million Overhaul for New African Art Galleries

The Brooklyn Museum has announced a $13 million renovation project to create new Arts of Africa galleries, set to open in Fall 2027. The 6,400-square-foot space on the museum's third floor will display 300 works from its 4,500-piece collection, spanning from antiquity to the present day. The project, led by architectural firm Peterson Rich Office, will repurpose latent storage space and reconnect galleries architecturally.

Historic Strike Disrupts Biennale as Thousands March in Venice

On May 8, 2026, artists and cultural workers staged the first strike in the 131-year history of the Venice Biennale, disrupting the pre-opening of the international exhibition. At least 27 of the 100 national pavilions were partially or fully shut down, and thousands marched through Venice to the Arsenale, which was barricaded by Italian riot police. The strike, organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) and local activist groups, was a 24-hour action for Palestine and workers' rights, with some artists altering or draping their works in the main exhibition, "In Minor Keys."

Venice Biennale strike sees more than 15 pavilions temporarily or partially close

On 8 May, more than 15 national pavilions at the Venice Biennale temporarily or partially closed in a coordinated strike organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA). The protest opposes Israel’s participation in the event, which organizers say normalizes what they call genocide and exploits precarious labor. Participating countries include Austria, Lebanon, Slovenia, Egypt, Poland, and the Netherlands, whose artist Dries Verhoeven stood outside his shuttered pavilion with a Palestinian flag. Some pavilions, like Japan’s, remained open but suspended interactive elements. The strike follows earlier controversies, including the resignation of the prize jury and an open letter demanding the Israeli pavilion’s cancellation.

on art history in times of war gaza islamic nasser rabbat

This essay by Nasser Rabbat reflects on the persistence and precarity of writing art history in times of war, specifically focusing on the field of Islamic art and architectural history. Rabbat draws a parallel to Gabriel García Márquez's novel *Love in the Time of Cholera* to frame his discussion, arguing that war is not a passing crisis but a persistent condition for the Islamic world. He traces how colonial conquests, postcolonial conflicts, and the ongoing Israeli genocide against Gaza have shaped the formation and theoretical orientation of Islamic art history as a Western scholarly endeavor, beginning with Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798 and continuing through the "War on Terror."

Alexandria Turns Into an Open-Air Gallery for Contemporary Art Days

Alexandria Contemporary Art Days launches from October 9th to 16th, 2025, transforming the Egyptian city into an open-air gallery. The festival features site-specific works by local and international artists across venues including the French Institute, Behna Warehouse, El Garage Cultural Space, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Highlights include a performance connecting breath and sound by dancer Salma Salem and trombonist Simon Petermann, a drawing-based installation by Mohamed Adel Dessouki, and Tiana Kader's evolving participatory installation 'The House of the Fat Lady'. The programme also includes exhibitions, live performances, workshops, talks, and guided walks such as 'Art on Foot'.

‘A very basic human desire to want some control’: US exhibition explores the power of magic

The Toledo Museum of Art has opened an exhibition titled 'Cursed!' that explores the widespread use of magic spells and objects in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The show features amulets, inscribed gemstones, and figurines used for purposes ranging from protecting newborns and winning lawsuits to casting coercive love spells.

qubbet al hawa egypt tombs pottery discovered

A research team from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities has unearthed a significant cache of artifacts at the Qubbet Al-Hawa necropolis near Aswan. The discovery includes two chambers containing 160 well-preserved pottery vessels, many inscribed with text, alongside a courtyard filled with Middle Kingdom jewelry, bronze mirrors, and kohl containers. These finds were located within rock-cut burial shafts that served as resting places for ancient Egyptian elite.

belgian authorities return gilded sacrophagus to egypt

Egypt has recovered two ancient artifacts from Belgium after a decade-long effort, announced on December 2 by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The objects—a painted and gilded Ptolemaic sarcophagus (305–30 B.C.E.) and a wooden beard from a Middle Kingdom statue—were seized by Belgian authorities in 2015 following an Interpol alert, as they were displayed in a Brussels antiques gallery without legal documentation. After a drawn-out diplomatic and legal process, the artifacts were returned in a ceremony at the Royal Museums of Art and History in July, attended by senior Egyptian culture ministers.

egypt grand museum ticketing issues political backlash

Egyptian Member of Parliament Freddy Elbaiady publicly criticized the Grand Egyptian Museum's ticketing system, which imposes separate quotas for foreign tourists and Egyptian nationals. The controversy erupted after overcrowding on a single day saw over 27,000 tickets sold—exceeding the daily limit of 20,000—leading to thousands of frustrated visitors being denied entry. Elbaiady submitted a formal request to remove the quota, calling it discriminatory, and demanded a briefing from the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism. In response, the museum announced a shift to a pre-booking system with designated entry times, implemented last week, and starting December 1, online booking will be the only method for purchasing tickets.

grand egyptian museum ticketing policy

The Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened on November 4 after two decades of planning, faced immediate crowd control issues after overselling tickets. More than 27,000 tickets were sold against a daily limit of 20,000, leading to thousands of frustrated visitors being denied entry. Museum CEO Ahmed Ghoneim announced a shift to an online-only booking system and pledged to reassess policies. Controversy also erupted over claims of a ticketing quota favoring foreigners over Egyptians, which Ghoneim denied, stating the museum would ensure no group exceeds a 60-40 split seasonally.

egyptian bracelet missing melted down

A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to King Amenemope was stolen from a conservation lab in Egypt, sold for 194,000 Egyptian pounds (about $4,000), and melted down by a gold smelter. The theft was carried out by a restoration specialist who took the artifact from a safe, and four suspects have since been arrested with proceeds recovered. The bracelet was being prepared for an upcoming exhibition titled “Treasures of the Pharaohs” at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome.

grand egyptian museum delays grand opening again egypt

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has postponed its official grand opening, originally scheduled for July 3, until the final quarter of this year. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly cited "current regional developments" in a press conference, referencing recent conflict between Israel and Iran. The museum issued a statement explaining the delay stems from a sense of national responsibility, aiming to hold the event at a more auspicious time. This is not the first delay for the project, which has faced setbacks since its announcement in 1992 due to political unrest, the Covid-19 pandemic, and economic struggles. The GEM has partially opened, with 12 main galleries accessible since late October 2024.

Jewelry artist Douriean Fletcher’s exhibition opens at Walters Art Museum this weekend

The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is set to open "Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture," a major exhibition featuring over 100 works by the renowned jewelry artist. Fletcher, who gained international acclaim for her costume design work on Marvel’s "Black Panther" franchise, will see her contemporary Afrofuturistic pieces displayed alongside ancient artifacts from the museum's permanent collection, including items from Ancient Egypt and Ethiopia.