From Sotheby’s Big Botticelli Boon to the Pussy Riot Arrests in Russia: The Best and Worst of the Art World This Week

Catch up on this week's news—fast.

Original Pussy Riot print by Jonas Akerlund, © Pussy Riot.
Original Pussy Riot print by Jonas Akerlund, © Pussy Riot.

BEST?

Holy Botticelli! – A portrait of a young man by Sandro Botticelli just sold for more than $90 million at Sotheby’s, making it one of the most expensive Old Masters ever.

Amanda Gorman Continues to Reign – A painting of America’s new favorite poet has entered the private collection at Harvard University, cementing her historic role.

Independent Announces New Digs – The New York art fair will take place inside a newly opened Cipriani downtown location in September of this year.

An Underwater Treasure Trove – Marine archaeologists discovered an ancient shipwreck off the coast of Greece filled with treasures from Spain and Tunisia.

What Would Charlotte York Do? – As the reboot of Sex and the City approaches, amateur screenwriter Katie White concocts some (very plausible) art-world storylines for everyone’s favorite Upper East Side gallerist.

Art Fair Musical Chairs – More fairs have rescheduled dates due to the ongoing pandemic, including TEFAF Maastricht, which will take place in September.

Cheech Marin’s Museum Approved – The actor’s forthcoming Chicano art museum got the green-light from city officials, bringing it closer to becoming a reality.

WORST?

Pussy Rioters Arrested – Three members of the activist artist group were arrested during mass demonstrations in Russia protesting the jailing of Aleksei Navalny.

Inside Putin’s Palace – Part of what drove the Russian protests was Navalny’s YouTube essay on Putin’s secret palace, which he called a “new Versailles.” Here’s what’s in it.

Phillips Sales Decline – The auction house announced total sales declined by 16 precent this year, netting $760 million in 2020.

A Bizarre Art Thief, Foiled – A man who threw a stolen painting into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum after smashing a glass window has been arrested in Boston.

European Museums Hunker Down – As the health crisis continues, cultural institutions are facing huge financial deficits while remaining closed.

Centre Pompidou to Close – Paris’s famed contemporary art museum will close from 2023-2026 for a complete renovation.


Follow Artnet News on Facebook:


Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.

Share

Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content.

You are currently logged into this Artnet News Pro account on another device. Please log off from any other devices, and then reload this page continue. To find out if you are eligible for an Artnet News Pro group subscription, please contact [email protected]. Standard subscriptions can be purchased on the subscription page.

Log In