Museum U-Turns, Auction Fever, and Shady Files
Belgium Scraps Plans to Dismantle Its Oldest Contemporary Art Museum • Venice Biennale 2026: all the national pavilions, artists and curators so far • Stephen Friedman Gallery goes into administration after 30 years
Today's stories:
Belgium Scraps Plans to Dismantle Its Oldest Contemporary Art Museum
Belgium has scrapped plans to dismantle its oldest contemporary art museum after the proposal drew backlash from prominent figures in the art...
Venice Biennale 2026: all the national pavilions, artists and curators so far
The Art Newspaper compiled the national-pavilion announcements made so far for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia,...
Stephen Friedman Gallery goes into administration after 30 years
Stephen Friedman Gallery began an administration process on 2 February 2026, effectively liquidating the business after around 30 years, and both...
Prominent art world figures named in latest Epstein files, including France's ex-culture minister Jack Lang
Newly released US Department of Justice documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, made public on 30 January 2026, name several prominent art-world...
Art Basel Qatar VIP day: fair’s debut encourages patience
The inaugural Art Basel Qatar opened to VIPs on 3 February 2026 in Doha, with Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz emphasizing its commercial purpose...
New Details Revealed for Planned Saudi Museum in AlUla
ARTnews reported that new details have been revealed about a planned museum in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. The provided article text is largely obscured...
Epstein Files Detail Gruesome Allegations Against Leon Black
Hyperallergic reported that newly released Epstein-related files include detailed allegations involving financier and art patron Leon Black. The...
Outrage Over Israeli Plans to Seize Palestinian Archaeological Site
Hyperallergic reported on public outrage over Israeli plans to seize a Palestinian archaeological site. The excerpt provided contains no...
Deborah Jack’s Immersive Elegy for Water
Hyperallergic reviewed an immersive project by artist Deborah Jack described as an elegy for water. The excerpt provided does not include the...
Rare Rembrandt Drawing Nets Record-Smashing $18 Million at Auction
A rare 17th-century Rembrandt drawing sold for $18 million at auction, setting a record as the artist’s most valuable work on paper, Artnet News...
—The Daily Art Download