BEST?

Gaga for Gago Mago – Richard Polsky analyzes the evolution of art publishing, from the demise of Interview to the rise of Gagosian Quarterly, the glossy advertorial magazine from the uber-dealer.

The Frick Moves Forward – The Frick Collection cleared a major hurdle this week when, despite public protests, the museum got the green light to move ahead with its multimillion-dollar expansion.

Christ Heads to the Desert – The “last Leonardo,” Salvator Mundi is now bound for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The record-shattering painting has been the subject of rumors since its purchase last year, and it’s arrival at the Mideast museum is confirmed for September.

Zwirner Adds Audio to Visuals – To celebrate its 25th anniversary, David Zwirner Gallery has partnered with Slate to produce a star-studded podcast, with a roster to rival any high-profile panel.

Risk Begets Reward in Baltimore – The Baltimore Museum opted to swap a cache of paintings by white male artists last month in a risky move to diversify, and now they’ve added major holdings by Jack Whitten, Julien Isaac, and Amy Sherald.

A Changing Landscape of Art Collectors – Women and millennials are starting to get into the art collecting game in earnest, according to a new study from the US Trust—and while the current demographics skew toward an older generation comprised mostly of men, there is a sea change afoot.

WORST? 

Remembering David Goldblatt – The South African photographer died this week at 87 after a storied career documenting the horrors of apartheid in his country, creating international awareness of those who suffered.

Cheim & Read Closes Up Shop – After two decades, the stalwart New York art dealers are pivoting toward private sales, and moving away from their traditional Chelsea gallery setup to an appointment-only business uptown.

Spain’s Conservation Calamity – A new restoration fail is lighting up social media after a local art teacher tried her hand at restoring a 500-year-old sculpture of Saint George.

Breaking Down the Blockchain – artnet News’s Tim Schneider draws back the veil on one company’s claim to “democratize” the art market using block chain technology.

SFMoMA Avoids the Wrath of PETA – Following the onslaught of criticism that dogged (cough) the Guggenheim’s China show last year, SFMoMA has opted out of showing the animal-based artworks, keeping activists at bay.