Sotheby’s auctioneer Oliver Barker fields bids during the Macklowe Collection auction. Photo courtesy of Sotheby's.

BEST?

Macklowe Trove Makes History – The second part of the Macklowe trove sale at Sotheby’s unseated the Rockefeller auction as the priciest private art collection sale in history.

Phillips Marks Biggest-Ever Sale Thanks to Basquiat – The boutique auction house brought in $225 million, setting a record for its most lucrative sale ever.

Independent Launches a New Fair – The beloved art fair is opening a new edition this fall dedicated to under-appreciated artists of the 20th century.

Frieze Frame – See the best of Frieze New York at the Shed in pictures.

What’s On Your Walls – Art dealer and collector Fabienne Lévy tells Artnet News what work she wishes she scooped up when she had the chance.

Free for All – Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel and his wife, model Miranda Kerr, just donated $10 million to pay the student debt of the Otis College of Art’s 2022 graduating class.

Meet the OG Drip Artist – Years before Jackson Pollock began splashing paint, Ukrainian artist Janet Sobel was pioneering her own drip method.

Michelangelo Sets Auction Record – A drawing by the Old Master sold for $21 million, a new high price for the artist at auction.

Parthenon Talks Move Ahead – In a major breakthrough, officials from Greece and the U.K. have agreed to formal talks about returning the Parthenon Marbles.

Sotheby’s Strikes It Big – From Monets and Picassos to new records for emerging female artists, Sotheby’s netted impressive sums at the spring sales.

Ukraine Soldiers Find Ancient Greek Urns – While digging trenches in Odessa, Ukrainian soldiers unearthed ancient Greek amphorae.

WORST?

Egg On Her Face – A new statue of Margaret Thatcher was erected in the late politician’s hometown—and just hours later it was egged.

A Big Price to Pay – Most conversations about art fairs are around how much works are selling for, but to even get in to Frieze, visitors have to fork over a lot of money.

Whitney Workers Get “Lowball” Offer – Members of the Whitney Museum union staged a protest outside the museum’s annual gala, criticizing the museum’s wage offer.


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