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Featured Art Stories


Frieze New York Bets on Market-Safe Paintings Amid Cautious Recovery
Frieze New York presents a cautious art-market snapshot: galleries lean toward blue-chip, saleable paintings—polite abstracts and semi-figurative works—while big houses like David Zwirner anchor the fair and midsize galleries face overhead pressure, even as some booths push restrained, curatorial bets. The mood is one of measured recovery rather than a breakthrough.

Venice Biennale 2026: Quiet Bonds and Global Geopolitics in In Minor Keys
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Loie Hollowell Turns Birth and Bodies Into Cosmic Abstraction
The Guardian•1 month ago
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Hidden Michelangelo Foot Sketch Sells for £16.9m at Christie’s
A previously unknown red chalk foot sketch by Michelangelo, dating to about 1511–12 and linked to the Libyan Sibyl on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, sold at Christie’s for £16.9 million ($23 million), far above its estimate after infrared imaging helped confirm the attribution.

Vanthournout Collection Headlines Christie’s Modern Visionaries Series
Christie’s features the Roger & Josette Vanthournout Collection as the centerpiece of its Modern Visionaries sale in London, spanning Surrealism to Post-War avant-garde with works by Magritte, Ernst, Kusama and others; the collection is being presented in three dedicated auctions — Evening Sale on March 5, Day Sale on March 6, and an online sale running Feb 25–Mar 10, 2026 — with global previews in Brussels, Hong Kong, New York and Paris.

Photographer's Black-and-White Dreamscapes Featured in 3 New York Exhibitions
Renowned Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide's black-and-white dreamscapes, capturing empowered inhabitants, mythical creatures, and sacred landscapes, are showcased in three New York exhibitions, highlighting her poetic portrayal of daily life and community experiences.

Mystery Solved: Did Leonardo da Vinci Paint a Nude Mona Lisa?
The article explores the possibility that Leonardo da Vinci may have painted a nude version of the Mona Lisa, based on historical accounts, sketches, and comparisons with other Renaissance artworks, suggesting that the famous portrait could have had a more provocative origin.

Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' to tour Japan this summer
The Mauritshuis will lend Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' to the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka this summer, marking a rare international travel for the painting, which is usually kept as a star exhibit in the Netherlands. The loan, organized in collaboration with Asahi Shimbun, aims to fund museum renovations and create an education center, offering a unique opportunity for Japanese audiences to experience the iconic artwork.

Top Small Gallery Shows to Watch This January
This article highlights five notable art exhibitions at small galleries around the world in January 2026, featuring diverse works from artists Justus de Rode, Gwen Evans, Sera Holland, Morgan Lehman Gallery, and Francesco Pantaleone, showcasing themes from nature and domestic unsettling to textured abstraction and precarious sculptures.

Ghanaian Artist Ibrahim Mahama Reaches Art World's Pinnacle
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama gained international fame with his burlap sack installations addressing themes of global trade, colonialism, and capitalism. His work has earned him top recognition in the art world, including being the first African to top ArtReview's Power 100 list. Mahama emphasizes collective effort and community engagement, founding art institutions in Ghana to foster new generations of artists and cultural awareness.

Greenland Artist Completes 10-Minute Creative Challenge
The article explores Rockwell Kent's artistic journey in Greenland, highlighting his dedication to capturing its breathtaking landscapes and the challenges of portraying such natural beauty, including his creation of a copy of his original Greenland painting while back in America.

Manx Artist Finds Self-Discovery Through Art
Manx artist Bethany Williams created an exhibition inspired by her recovery from chronic illness, using her art to explore her journey and connection to the Isle of Man's landscape, featuring light sculptures and other works that symbolize her healing process.

America’s Top Living Painter Showcases Abroad
A retrospective of Kerry James Marshall in London showcases his innovative approach to painting, emphasizing the idea of paintings as 'machines' and highlighting his influence in contemporary art.