Alma Allen to Represent US at Venice Biennale
Alma Allen has been selected to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale, following the decline of the commission by artists William Eggleston and Barbara Chase-Riboud. Allen, a self-taught sculptor living in Mexico, has gained recognition for his biomorphic forms despite having only one major museum show to date. This year's pavilion, organized by the American Arts Conservancy, has sparked discussions about the intersection of art and politics, particularly in light of the U.S. government's influence on the selection process.
AI Study Attributes El Greco's Work to Himself
A study led by Andrew Van Horn from Western Reserve University has utilized artificial intelligence to analyze The Baptism of Christ, a painting attributed to El Greco, suggesting that the majority of the work was executed by El Greco himself rather than his son, Jorge Manuel. The AI model, named Patch, examined the painting's texture at a microscopic level and found connections between sections previously thought to be the work of different artists. This research, published in Science Advances on April 17, challenges traditional methods of authorship attribution based on brushstroke analysis.
Rare Alexander Calder mobile to auction in Paris
Oger – Blanchet auction house will offer a never-before-seen mobile by American sculptor Alexander Calder at Hôtel Drouot in Paris on May 22, 2026, with an estimated sale price of €80,000 to €120,000 ($94,000 to $141,000). The Stabile-mobile, created in 1974, combines elements of Calder's iconic stabiles and mobiles and has been in the possession of an anonymous family for 50 years, originally gifted by the artist.
National Gallery Receives Major Gift of Epstein Photographs
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has received a gift of 1,261 photographs from Mitch Epstein and his wife, Susan Bell, establishing the largest institutional collection of Epstein's work. The donation encompasses a range of his projects from the past five decades, including significant series such as American Power and Property Rights, which explore themes of power generation and social protest in the United States. Several of the large-scale prints included in the gift will be featured in exhibitions at the gallery this year.
Reina Sofía Museum Introduces New Guided Tours
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid has launched new guided tours, including 'COLECCIÓN45', which focus on contemporary art in 45-minute sessions. The museum, renowned for housing Picasso's 'Guernica', continues to attract millions of art enthusiasts annually, reinforcing its role as a key institution for understanding modern Spanish art.
Christie's dominates 2025 auction market with $3.5 billion
Christie's led the auction market in 2025, achieving $3.5 billion in sales, reinforcing its status as the top auction house. In the latest Sydney auction results from April 12 to April 18, 2026, the clearance rate was 54%, with 465 properties sold out of 861 reported, totaling approximately $482.3 million in sales.
Smithsonian American Art Museum appoints Lynda Hartigan as director
The Smithsonian American Art Museum has appointed Lynda Roscoe Hartigan as its new director, effective September 8, following a 17-month search. Hartigan, who previously served as the executive director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum, returns to the Smithsonian where she began her career, succeeding Jane Carpenter-Rock, the acting director since 2024. Hartigan's extensive experience includes leadership roles at major cultural institutions, and she will oversee one of the world's premier collections of American art during a period of increased political scrutiny for the Smithsonian.
