Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know this Thursday, February 24.

NEED-TO-READ

Why Is Artemisia Gentileschi Only Now Being Recognized? – Critic Christopher Knight has penned an appreciation of 17th-century painter and protofeminist hero Artemisia Gentileschi, whom he dubs the “Frida Kahlo of European art.” While there is still “a long way to go,” Knight writes, renewed interest in the painter—including a biography just released by the Getty—offers a fuller understanding of her involvement with the social, political, literary, and intellectual currents of her day. (Los Angeles Times)

Dutch Couple Returns Artifacts to Mexico After 30 Years – Dutch collectors Hubert De Boer and Liesebeth Mellis have voluntarily returned 17 Mesoamerican archeological pieces to Mexico. The collectors had owned them for 30 years and their return has been celebrated by the Mexican government, which has made repatriating lost Mesoamerican heritage a state priority. (Press release)

Ukrainian Artists Call on the West to Take Action – Deutsche Welle interviewed a variety of Ukrainian artists and cultural figures the day before war broke out in their home country. Many called on Western cultural figures to speak out. “Unfortunately, as writers and artists in general, we have less influence on the situation than our colleagues did during World War I and World War II,” said author Andrei Kurkov. “However, this does not mean that one should remain silent. What I miss is a clear positioning of the leading artists from other countries of the world. Where are the voices of artists from France, Germany, the US? It is up to the artists to shake up their governments.” (DW)

New Cases of Art Cybercrime Reported in the U.K. and Germany – U.K. dealer Janet Rady Fine Arts has informed Artnet News that her gallery has been a victim of what looks to be a copycat of the man-in-the-middle operator who scammed Milan’s T293 gallery earlier this month. The German Art Dealers Association has also warned of similar scams posing a threat to the industry. Be careful out there, folks: If a deal feels like it is too good to be true—it probably is! Art businesses, check out our guide to beefing up your cybersecurity. (Instagram, Press release)

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Para Site Names a New Leader – Cosmin Costinas is leaving Hong Kong’s Para Site art space after 11 years to join an as-yet-unnamed German art institution. Billy Tang, senior curator at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai, will take over as executive director and curator. (Press release)

Art Basel, TEFAF, Announce Exhibitors – Art Basel has named the 289 exhibitors taking part in its marquee Swiss fair, which returns to its traditional dates in June. First-timers include Proyectos Ultravioleta, Mariane Ibrahim, and OH Gallery. Meanwhile, TEFAF New York will welcome 91 galleries as it takes over the Park Avenue Armory from May 6 to 10. (ARTnews, ARTnews)

Roy Lichtenstein’s Studio Donated to Whitney Museum – Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein’s widow Dorothy Lichtenstein has promised to donate the artist’s former studio to the nearby Whitney Museum in New York. It will become the home of the museum’s prestigious Independent Study Program beginning in 2023. The 9,000-square-foot space at 741/745 Washington Street will be adapted by the architecture firm Johnston Marklee. (ARTnews)

FOR ART’S SAKE

Sotheby’s Gets a Surreal Makeover Ahead of Magritte Sale – Sotheby’s marketing department has gone all out to promote the prize Magritte painting on offer in its London evening sale next week. The façade of the New Bond Street headquarters has been transformed by a giant silhouette inspired by the paradoxical day-and-night work L’empire des lumières (1961), which is expected to bring in more than £45 million ($60 million) at auction on March 2. (Evening Standard)

 

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