Record Sales, Gulf Ambitions, and Museum Reckonings
Lost Michelangelo Draws $27 Million, Trouncing Estimate and Smashing Record • Saudi Arabia looks to its Modern art history as the art world eyes up the Gulf • Philadelphia Museum of Art Walks Back Controversial Rebranding
Today's stories:
Lost Michelangelo Draws $27 Million, Trouncing Estimate and Smashing Record
A previously unknown drawing attributed to Michelangelo was submitted to Christie’s via its “Request an Auction Estimate” service and subsequently...
Saudi Arabia looks to its Modern art history as the art world eyes up the Gulf
Saudi Arabia is spotlighting its Modern art history with museum exhibitions and auctions as international attention shifts toward the Gulf ahead...
Philadelphia Museum of Art Walks Back Controversial Rebranding
The Philadelphia Museum of Art reversed a controversial rebranding after public criticism of changes to its name and identity. The museum’s CEO...
Buffalo AKG Director Hasn’t Repaid $335K Museum Loan Used to Buy Home, State Report Finds
A New York State report found that the director of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum has not repaid a $335,000 loan from the museum that was used to...
The World Has Too Much Art. What Will Happen to It?
In a column published by Artnet News on 5 February 2026, collector and gallerist Adam Lindemann argues that the art world is facing an oversupply...
Lawrence Abu Hamdan and Lydia Ourahmane among artists confirmed for new Qatar quadrennial
Qatar Museums announced further details of a new quadrennial, Rubaiya Qatar, opening in November 2026 across Doha and other sites in Qatar, with...
How the Debates Over Art, Race, and Tech Have Changed
Artnet News profiled writer and curator Aria Dean on how debates about art, race, and technology have evolved since the post-internet era. Dean...
Vatican Orders Removal of Fresco Depicting Far-Right Leader as Angel
The Vatican ordered the removal of a fresco after an investigation determined that it deliberately depicted Italian far-right leader Giorgia...
Pulitzer-Winning ‘Washington Post’ Art Critic Sebastian Smee Laid Off in Cutbacks, But Philip Kennicott Remains
ARTnews reported that Pulitzer Prize–winning Washington Post art critic Sebastian Smee was laid off as part of newsroom cutbacks. The paper...
Fast-Rising Sculptor Yuko Mohri Wins $50,000 Calder Prize
ARTnews reported that Japanese sculptor Yuko Mohri won the Calder Prize, which carries a $50,000 award. The prize recognizes an artist whose...
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