France Blocks Sale of National Treasure Drawing
The French culture ministry has blocked the sale of a newly discovered drawing by German Renaissance master Hans Baldung Grien, classifying it as a national treasure. The bust-length portrait, depicting Susanna Pfeffinger and measuring 15.7cm by 10.4cm, was set to be auctioned at Drouot Paris on March 23, with a pre-sale estimate of €1.5m to €3m. This decree, issued just two days prior to the auction, imposes a 30-month export ban to allow time for potential French buyers to secure funding.
MCH Group announces Futurific Institute for 2028
Art Basel's parent company, MCH Group, announced plans for a new initiative called the Futurific Institute, set to launch in Basel in 2028 as a global ideas festival, backed by billionaires James and Kathryn Murdoch. Meanwhile, Art Dubai has postponed its 20th edition to May 14-17, 2026, due to the ongoing war in Iran, with some international exhibitors already withdrawing. Additionally, influential art critic Calvin Tomkins passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 100, leaving a significant legacy in art journalism.
Eiffel Tower Staircase Section to Auction for €50,000
French auction house Artcurial will auction an 8.5-foot section of the Eiffel Tower's original spiral staircase on May 21, with an estimated price of €40,000–€50,000 ($46,300–$57,900). This piece, dating back to the tower's construction in the late 1880s, is one of the last remaining segments still in private hands, following the dismantling of the staircase in 1983. Artcurial has sold four other pieces of the staircase since 2013, with previous sales reaching as high as €523,800 ($607,320).
Art Fund launches fellowship for underrepresented curators
The Art Fund charity in the UK has launched the _Empowering Curators_ fellowship program, aimed at supporting 20 curators from Global Majority backgrounds over multiple years at UK museums and galleries. The initiative addresses representation imbalances in curatorial leadership and is backed by funding from organizations including the Headley Trust and Arts Council England. The first ten fellows will engage in various projects, such as Christo Kefalas at the Whitworth and Carine Harmand at Tate Liverpool, focusing on community engagement and diverse programming.
