Sotheby’s New York Sets 12 Records for South Asian Artists
Sotheby’s New York set 12 records for South Asian artists during its recent auction, which generated a total of $22.1 million, with every work sold. A notable highlight was Vivan Sundaram's painting _Inbetweeness_, which sold for $896,000, seven times its high estimate, marking it as his highest-selling work at auction. The auction also featured strong performances from other artists, including M.F. Husain, whose piece _Second Act_ sold for $5.1 million, exceeding its $3.5 million estimate.
Merchant's House Museum Uncovers Historic Underground Railroad Passageway
The Merchant's House Museum in Manhattan has revealed a newly identified Underground Railroad passageway, believed to be the first intact site of its kind found in New York in over 160 years, following the discovery that the home's original owner was an abolitionist. This finding has increased visitor numbers and heightened concerns about a proposed nine-story mixed-use development next door, which museum officials warn could cause significant structural damage to the historic site. The New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission is currently deliberating on the development's approval.
Guillaume Cerutti Leaves Pinault Collection After 13 Months
Guillaume Cerutti has departed as president of the Pinault Collection after 13 months, according to reports from Glitz. Cerutti, who took on the role in February 2025, is leaving to focus on the collection and its museums, which include the Bourse de Commerce in Paris and the Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana in Venice. François Pinault, the collection's owner, will assume interim leadership, with no plans to appoint a new president.
Donatello's Gattamelata statue undergoes €1m restoration
Donatello's bronze statue _Gattamelata_, commemorating the 15th-century condottiere Erasmo da Narni, is undergoing a €1m restoration after being moved indoors from its outdoor location in Padua for only the third time in nearly six centuries. Funded by the American organizations Friends of Florence and Save Venice, the restoration aims to address issues of corrosion and structural stability, with uncertainty remaining about whether the statue will return to its original piazza or be displayed in a museum. The statue's pedestal is also being stabilized to prevent collapse due to weathering and vibrations.
