A recent auction at Christie's in New York saw a painting by Indian artist Amrita Sher-Gil, considered India's most famous female painter, fail to sell for $2.8m despite its expected value. In contrast, another Indian artist, Gaitonde, broke an Indian art auction record, but his sale was part of an uneven South Asian sales season. The market's focus on assigning singular attribution to Old Masters may be lucrative, but it can also be misleading as Renaissance works were often created by multiple hands.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/long-undervalued-bangladeshi-artists-begin-to-rise-at-auctionThe conference is doubling down on culture by highlighting artists and creatives through programming like showcases, film screenings, and performances. Anthony, the organizer, stated that nearly 80% of sponsors are expected to retain their support this year, but some prospective sponsors have expressed concerns about the name "Blackweek" due to its alignment with the current climate.
https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/blackweek-april-fools-stunt-puts-a-spotlight-on-dei-rollbacks/Italian sculptor Giuseppe Penone has donated over 200 works on paper to the Castello di Rivoli in Italy, a significant collection of archival materials related to his notable sculptures and installations in the Piedmontese region. This donation is part of Penone's efforts to start a dialogue through his art, following similar gifts of drawings to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Centre Pompidou in 2020.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/giuseppe-penone-will-transform-londons-serpentine-south-into-an-extension-of-its-surrounding-parksA catalogue raisonné of Lucian Freud's oil paintings, written by Catherine Lampert and Toby Treves, offers a comprehensive look at the life and work of the post-war British painter. The book features nearly faultless forensic scrutiny and includes 566 illustrations. A recent exhibition at the National Gallery marked the centenary of Freud's birth, exploring his enduring appeal to a new generation.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-putting-together-lucian-freuds-catalogue-raisonneA new exhibition showcases Michelangelo's lesser-known works, including a red chalk preparatory sketch for the Sistine Chapel's "Worship of the Brazen Serpent" section. The catalogue features drawings and letters that reveal the artist's creative process, such as his draughtsmanship, which is highlighted in a book about his life and works. A scholar discovered a sketch of Michelangelo in the margin of a 15th-century edition of Dante's Divine Comedy, while another expert, Grant Lewis, curated the exhibition.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/april-book-bag-from-a-new-angle-on-michelangelos-sistine-chapel-to-the-re-issuing-of-bell-hookss-art-essaysA new book, "Artists of the Middle East: 1900 to Now" by Saeb Eigner, explores Iraq's diverse art scene and Tehran's Saqqakhaneh school of the 1950s. The book delves into the lives and works of artists such as those influenced by the pivotal Saqqakhaneh school, which had a lasting impact on the region's artistic landscape.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/new-book-looks-at-the-shaping-of-modern-art-in-the-middle-east-beyond-politics-and-warThe Academy has faced criticism after releasing a statement condemning artists who express harm or suppress viewpoints, with some members feeling it fell short of the moment's demands. Journalist Yuval Abraham compared this to silence on Hamdan's assault. Over 600 Academy members signed an open letter expressing their discontent, including Joaquin Phoenix, Olivia Colman, and Riz Ahmed. In response, the board apologized for any support given to artists who felt unsupported by the initial statement, condemning violence worldwide and affirming the suppression of free speech under any circumstances.
https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-academy-apologizes-to-oscar-winning-palestinian-filmmaker-hamdan-ballal-amid-attacks-on-him-by-israeli-settlers-13875915.htmlThe 32nd annual Days of European Film festival is coming to Czechia, featuring award-winning films, special showcases, and events across the country. Screenings will take place in Prague (Světozor, Edison, Přítomnost cinemas), Brno (Kino Art), and Ostrava (Minikino) from April 2-16.
https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/ahoj-monday-5-tips-for-surviving-the-week-ahead-in-czechia-17The event will feature traditional artisans demonstrating various techniques such as egg decorating, corn husk crafting, glass, wood, and leather working. Children and their families can attend theater performances every weekend and a special Easter-themed workshop on April 21. The event also includes creative recycling workshops, a carousel, stilt-walking performers, instrumental recitals, and other activities.
https://www.romania-insider.com/central-easter-fair-bucharest-april-2025