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This week's art industry roundup covers major auction activity, including Christie's $250 million sale of Barnes and Noble founder Len Riggio's collection, and Sotheby's postponement of an ancient Buddhist gemstone auction after criticism from academics and India's Ministry of Culture. Frieze New York, recently sold to Ari Emanuel, reported strong sales with a $3 million Jeff Koons sculpture at Gagosian, while Gagosian's TEFAF New York booth featuring Anna Weyant's jewelry-themed paintings sold out. Other news includes Céline Assimon's appointment as chief commercial officer at Bonhams, the Spring Break Art Show's return, and gallery representation changes.

Tokyo Architect Kengo Kuma Beats Out Renzo Piano and Selldorf to Design National Gallery’s £350 M. New Wing

The National Gallery in London has appointed Tokyo-based architect Kengo Kuma to design a new £350 million wing as part of its ambitious £750 million "Project Domani" expansion. Kuma, known for the V&A Dundee, beat out high-profile Pritzker Prize winners Renzo Piano and Norman Foster for the commission. The project involves the demolition of St. Vincent House to create 15,000 square feet of new exhibition space dedicated to 20th and 21st-century art, along with new pedestrian zones and a roof garden.

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The National Gallery in London has unveiled its £85 million ($113 million) renovation of the Sainsbury Wing, marking the culmination of the museum's bicentenary celebrations. Led by architect Annabelle Selldorf, the project transformed the postmodernist building into the museum's primary accessible entrance, featuring a more spacious atrium, clear glass walls to invite natural light, and a significant rehang of the permanent collection. The redesign aimed to resolve long-standing issues with visitor flow and accessibility while preserving the building's iconic grand staircase.

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London's National Gallery has reopened its Sainsbury Wing after a three-year, $113 million renovation, timed to the museum's 200th anniversary. Director Gabriele Finaldi, who was knighted this year, oversaw the project, which was designed by architect Annabelle Selldorf and faced criticism from original architect Denise Scott Brown. The revamped wing features a light-filled foyer, 17 galleries with no prescribed route, and a rehang titled “The Wonder of Art.” The museum also acquired a mysterious painting by an unknown artist, The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret and Two Angels (1500–10), for $20 million through Sotheby's.

National Gallery picks Tokyo Olympic stadium architect to design new wing

The National Gallery in London has selected Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to design a major new wing as part of its ambitious £750m "Project Domani." Kuma, known for the Tokyo Olympic stadium and V&A Dundee, beat out high-profile competitors including Norman Foster and Renzo Piano. The expansion will occupy a site near Trafalgar Square currently housing a hotel and office complex, and is supported by record-breaking £150m donations from both the Julia Rausing Trust and the Crankstart foundation.

When—and why—did Van Gogh paint a pair of crabs?

An article explores the story behind Vincent van Gogh's still life "Two Crabs," revealing that the two crabs are likely the same individual—a female Cancer pagurus missing its first pair of walking legs. Paul Clark, a crustacean specialist at London's Natural History Museum, confirmed the sex based on the broad abdomen visible in the painting. The work is on long-term loan to London's National Gallery, where it was recently redisplayed as part of the gallery's major rehang ahead of the Sainsbury Wing reopening on May 10. The article also traces the painting's provenance: it was the first Van Gogh bought by a British collector, William Cherry Robinson, in 1893 for 200 guilders, later sold at auction in 1906 for half that amount, and eventually resold at Sotheby's in 2004 for £5.2 million to an anonymous collector who lent it to the National Gallery.

From hard borders to soft power: how did the art world fare in 2025?

The article surveys the art world's turbulent 2025, beginning with devastating Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed artworks and the political shockwaves of Donald Trump's re-election. Trump's administration targeted the National Portrait Gallery, whose director Kim Sajet resigned after threats of firing, while immigration crackdowns, tariffs on art imports, and attacks on diversity initiatives chilled the art community. The year also saw Venice residents protest Jeff Bezos's lavish wedding, Trump's gilded Oval Office renovations, and a major Veronese exhibition at the Prado that drew parallels between historical extravagance and decline.

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.

Don’t miss these 7 fantastic new London art exhibitions arriving in May 2025

Seven new art exhibitions opening in London in May 2025 are highlighted, including Do Ho Suh's 'Walk the House' at Tate Modern, the reopening of the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing, and the V&A East Storehouse opening. Other shows include 'Fake Barn Country' at Raven Row, 'Encounters: Giacometti' at Barbican, and 'Hiroshige: Artist of the Open Road' at the British Museum, alongside a photography takeover at Somerset House.

Richard Long Commission Opening 10 May at The National Gallery, London, United Kingdom

The National Gallery in London will unveil a new site-specific commission by British artist Sir Richard Long on 10 May 2025. Titled "Mud Sun," the five-meter-wide mud work is hand-applied using tidal mud from the River Avon and installed at the top of the grand staircase in the newly transformed Sainsbury Wing. The work has been donated by Dr. Didi Mei Yi Wong to mark the Gallery’s 200th anniversary and will enter its Contextual Collection. It is Long’s second commission for the Gallery, following "River Avon Mud Crescent" (2023).

National Gallery London's 200th anniversary

The National Gallery in London is celebrating its 200th anniversary, marking two centuries since its founding in 1824. The milestone is being commemorated with a series of special exhibitions, events, and public programs throughout the year, highlighting the museum's collection of over 2,300 paintings and its role as a cornerstone of British cultural heritage.

London’s National Gallery announces architects for new £350m wing

The National Gallery in London has selected Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma and Associates to design a new £350m wing, scheduled to open in the early 2030s. Chosen from a shortlist of six finalists, Kuma’s design features a Portland stone exterior and will be constructed on the site of the soon-to-be-demolished St Vincent House. The extension will provide nearly double the space for temporary exhibitions and an additional 1,500 square meters for the permanent collection, connected via bridges to the existing Sainsbury Wing and Wilkins building.

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London's National Gallery has acquired a mysterious altarpiece painted by an unknown artist around 1510, paying £16.4 million ($21.8 million) for the work titled *The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret*. The painting, arranged via a private sale by Sotheby's and funded by the American Friends of the National Gallery London, features unusual details including a uniquely expressive dragon beneath baby Jesus's feet, playful angels, and subtle symbolic references. The acquisition marks the museum's bicentennial and will go on public display on May 10 in the rehung Sainsbury Wing.

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London's National Gallery has acquired a $20 million altarpiece, *The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret and Two Angels* (1500-10), by an unknown artist. The purchase, funded by the American Friends of the National Gallery of London and brokered by Sotheby's, was made from a private collection to celebrate the museum's bicentenary. The painting, first documented in 1602 in Ghent, Belgium, features iconographical oddities including a unique dragon and a bawdy scene, and is painted on Baltic oak, suggesting a Netherlandish origin despite French elements like the fleur-de-lis.

Kengo Kuma Architects Chosen to Design New Wing of London’s National Gallery

Kengo Kuma and Associates has been selected to lead the design of a massive £750 million extension to London’s National Gallery, titled Project Domani. The Tokyo-based firm won the commission over sixty-four other competitors and will collaborate with UK firms BDP and MICA to develop the new wing on land currently occupied by a hotel and office complex. The design features a dual-level approach, utilizing vaults and arches on the main floor to harmonize with existing galleries while introducing a modern geometric aesthetic on the upper level.

Ten essential works of art to see at the National Gallery in London

The National Gallery in London, home to over 2,300 paintings spanning Western European art from Giotto to Cézanne and including early modernism by Picasso, has recently completed a comprehensive rehang of its collection at its Trafalgar Square site. This coincides with the reopening of the Sainsbury Wing after a two-year renovation. The article highlights ten essential works to see, including Jan van Eyck's *The Arnolfini Portrait* (1434), Leonardo da Vinci's *The Burlington House Cartoon* (around 1506-08), and Paolo Veronese's *The Adoration of the Kings* (1573), emphasizing the gallery's free admission and its role as a cultural treasure.

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.

Major News from International Museums: London's National Gallery Expands and Pompidou Opens in Seoul

Le grandi novità dei musei internazionali: cresce la National Gallery di Londra e il Pompidou apre a Seoul

The National Gallery in London has selected a design team led by Kengo Kuma and Associates, alongside BDP and MICA, to lead its massive £750 million expansion project titled 'Project Domani.' Chosen from 65 international entries, the winning proposal will transform the St Vincent House site into a new museum wing featuring a stepped Portland stone facade, public roof gardens, and light-filled galleries. The project coincides with the institution's bicentenary and has already secured half of its required funding through private and anonymous donations.

London’s National Gallery receives record-breaking donations for new wing—and will start collecting contemporary art

London's National Gallery has announced plans for a major new extension, costing around £400 million, with £375 million already raised in record-breaking donations. Two anonymous pledges of £150 million each, from Michael Moritz's Crankstart foundation and the Julia Rausing Trust, are described by director Gabriele Finaldi as the largest-ever known cash donations to any cultural institution globally. The new wing, to be built on the site of St Vincent House, will open in the early 2030s following an international architectural competition launching on 12 September. The gallery also revealed it will begin collecting 20th-century and contemporary art, expanding its traditional cutoff of around 1900, in collaboration with Tate.

Stories brought to life: the National Portrait Gallery's latest virtual reality venture is a triumph of immersive storytelling

The National Portrait Gallery has partnered with Frameless Creative, a London-based immersive experience studio, to launch 'Stories—Brought to Life,' a virtual reality exhibition that brings portraits of historical and contemporary figures to life through dynamic 150-second animated sequences. The experience, projected onto a mosaic of screens, features figures including Queen Elizabeth I, Audrey Hepburn, Nelson Mandela, David Bowie, and Ncuti Gatwa, drawing on the museum's collection. It debuted at a temporary site in MediaCity, Manchester, and is designed to travel to other locations.

The Big Review | The reopening and rehang of the Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, London ★★★★★

The National Gallery in London has reopened its Sainsbury Wing after a renovation led by architect Annabelle Selldorf, designed to create a more welcoming entrance. The wing, originally designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown in 1991, now features a transformed ground floor with double-height spaces, improved lighting, and a new piazza linking to Trafalgar Square. The reopening coincides with the gallery's bicentenary and a major collection rehang titled "C C Land: the Wonder of Art," sponsored by a Hong Kong property developer. Old favorites like the chapel-like space for Piero della Francesca's works are restored, and new commissions, including Richard Long's "Mud Sun," greet visitors.

First look: inside the £85 million National Gallery revamp opening this weekend

The National Gallery in London has completed a £85 million refurbishment of its Sainsbury Wing, which opens to the public this weekend after two years of closure. Designed by architect Annabel Selldorf, the renovation transformed the previously dark, low-ceilinged foyer into a bright, open space with clear glass, removed columns, digital HD screens, and new amenities including Bar Giorgio and the Locatelli Italian restaurant. The reopening coincides with 'Wonder of Art', a major rehang of around 1,000 works from the gallery's European painting collection.

First look: the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ rehang at London's National Gallery

On May 10, London's National Gallery will unveil its first full rehang of the collection since the Sainsbury Wing opened in 1991. The wing has been closed for over two years to create a larger entrance foyer. Christine Riding, the director of collections and research, oversaw the rehang, which she calls a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity. Nearly 40% of the collection—1,045 paintings—will be displayed, including 919 from the collection and 126 on loan. The rehang is sponsored by Hong Kong-based property developer C C Land and is called "C C Land: The Wonder of Art." Works by female artists have been given greater prominence, and some paintings were conserved or reframed. The chronological arrangement from west to east remains similar, but many pictures have been repositioned to highlight artistic influences across generations.

Natural History Museum tops UK attraction list with record visitors

London's Natural History Museum attracted a record 7.1 million visitors in 2025, making it the UK's most popular attraction. Its success is attributed to free entry, renovated gardens, and the popular 'Fixing Our Broken Planet' climate gallery, which drew over 2 million visitors alone.

London's National Gallery announces £750m fundraising drive towards new wing and expanded collection

London's National Gallery has announced a £750m fundraising drive, called Project Domani, to expand its collection into the 20th and 21st centuries and build a new wing on the site of St Vincent House, north of the Sainsbury Wing. Around half the target has already been pledged, including two record £150m donations from the Crankstart foundation and the Julia Rausing Trust. A shortlist of six architectural firms—including Foster + Partners, Kengo Kuma and Associates, and Selldorf Architects—has been released to design the extension, with a final choice expected by April and the wing opening in the early 2030s.

A Stunning New Italian Restaurant Inspired By Classic Paintings Has Opened In The National Gallery For Picturesque Dining

Acclaimed Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli and his wife Plaxy have opened a new restaurant called 'Locatelli' and an espresso bar named 'Bar Giorgio' in the National Gallery's refurbished Sainsbury Wing in London. The openings on May 10 mark the completion of a two-and-a-half-year Bicentenary renovation project of the wing. The menu and decor draw inspiration from the gallery's surroundings and the works of Caravaggio, featuring Italian classics and seasonal dishes. Bar Giorgio offers Italian coffee and maritozzi pastries, aiming to bring Italian coffee culture to gallery visitors.

Refurb and rehang at London's National Gallery, Tate Modern turns 25 and Inge Mahn's ‘Balancing Towers’—podcast

This episode of The Art Newspaper's 'The Week in Art' podcast, hosted by Ben Luke, covers three major stories. First, the National Gallery in London reopens its Sainsbury Wing after a two-year closure, featuring a major architectural overhaul by Annabelle Selldorf and a complete rehang of the collection; Luke tours the space with director Gabriele Finaldi. Second, Tate Modern celebrates its 25th anniversary, with Luke discussing its impact and future with Louisa Buck and Dale Berning Sawa. Third, the Work of the Week segment highlights Inge Mahn's sculpture 'Balancing Towers' (1989), featured in the exhibition 'Are we still up to it?' – Art & Democracy at Herrenchiemsee Palace, discussed with co-curator Oliver Kase.

Masterworks from Jacob Rothschild collection go to London's National Gallery and V&A under acceptance in lieu scheme

Two masterworks from the collection of the late Jacob Rothschild—Guercino's *King David* (1651) and John Deare's *Edward and Eleanor* (1790)—have been allocated to London's National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) respectively under the UK's acceptance in lieu (AIL) scheme. The Guercino painting settles £5.6 million in inheritance tax, and will be reunited with two related Guercino works already at the National Gallery. The marble relief by Deare enters the V&A's collection.

National Gallery spends £16m on altarpiece by unknown artist

The National Gallery in London has purchased a 500-year-old altarpiece, *The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret and Two Angels*, for £16.4 million from an anonymous owner. The painting, created between 1500 and 1510, is of unknown authorship—experts cannot agree whether the artist was Netherlandish or French, with candidates including Jan Gossaert and Jean Hey. The oak panel was felled around 1483, and the work was first documented at the priory of Drongen in Ghent in 1602. It was sold through Sotheby’s with support from the American Friends of the National Gallery London and had been kept at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset, home of the Weld family.