This episode of The Art Newspaper's podcast 'The Week in Art' covers three major art stories. Alexander Morrison visits the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to explore 'Made in Ancient Egypt,' an exhibition revealing the untold stories of the craftspeople and techniques behind ancient Egyptian objects. Ben Luke speaks with Katlijne Van der Stighelen about the largest-ever exhibition of Baroque painter Michaelina Wautier at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, which will travel to the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The episode also features Robert Rauschenberg's iconic work 'Bed' (1955), part of the exhibition 'Five Friends' at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, which brings together artists John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Cy Twombly.
This episode matters because it highlights three significant yet distinct narratives in the art world: the overdue recognition of anonymous ancient Egyptian makers, the rediscovery and celebration of a long-overlooked female Baroque painter, and the enduring influence of a circle of post-war American artists. Together, these stories underscore ongoing efforts to diversify art history and bring marginalized figures—both ancient and early modern—into the spotlight, while also reaffirming the importance of collaborative artistic communities in shaping modern art.