Wrapping the Arc de Triomphe in 25,000 square metres of material has begun, fulfilling a 60-year dream of late artists ‘Christo’. The iconic duo, Christo Vladimirov Javacheff (1935-2020) and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon (1935-2009), passed away before their major installation was unfurled in the heart of Paris.
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Stonehenge restoration project replaces 60-year-old hidden penny
For the first time in more than 60 years, Stonehenge will undergo significant restoration to cracks and holes in the stones, in which a penny was hidden in the 1950’s. The prehistoric monument in Wiltshire is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK, having been added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986.
Continue readingTurkey’s claim to marble figure quashed by New York Federal Judge ruling
A New York Federal Judge has decided that a marble figure which is owned by hedge fund billionaire Michael Steinhardt and which has spent decades on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will not be returned to Turkey. The Turkish government sued for the return of the figure in 2017 however, according to Judge Alison J. Nathan, there is “insufficient evidence” to support Turkey’s claim that it should be returned.
Continue readingLargest triceratops ever found dino-soars into the saleroom
‘Big John’, the largest triceratops skeleton ever discovered, is coming to auction at Paris auction house Binoche et Giquello next month. The 66-million-year-old fossil is estimated to sell for a staggering €1.2 million to €1.5 million (£1 million to £1.5 million).
Continue readingBank of England museum removes ten artworks linked to slave trade
The Bank of England, which has its own museum, will no longer display eight oil paintings and two busts connected to the slave trade. Earlier this year, the bank set up a working group to critically review the 40,000 artworks in its collection.
Continue readingBanksy’s shredded masterpiece heads back to auction
In 2018 Banksy left the art world reeling after shredding a spray paint and acrylic on canvas version of Girl with Balloon (2006) just moments after it sold for a record price for the artist – £1.04 million (with fees). The partially shredded work is returning to auction this October.
Continue readingArt Basel addresses growing speculation around September fair
Art Basel’s global director, Marc Spiegler, has written a letter to exhibitors addressing their concern about the fair’s new rules due to Covid-19 restrictions. His reassurances follow calls to cancel the already-postponed fair in Basel, Switzerland.
Continue readingWorldwide tour of the Courtauld’s impressionist artworks comes to an end
After a £57 million redevelopment, the Courtauld Gallery’s artistic gems are returning for the grand reopening in November. Its rooms in the north wing of Somerset House have been significantly expanded and the permanent collection completely redisplayed.
Continue readingManhattan dealer arrested for running a “fake antiquities mill”
Mehrdad Sadigh, owner of Sadigh Gallery in Manhattan, has been arrested on charges of creating and selling fake antiquities. He has pleaded not guilty, despite a large amount of incriminating evidence presented by the Manhattan District Attorney, to charges of scheming to defraud, grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, forgery and criminal simulation.
Continue readingRepatriated Iranian artefacts on display for first time in 40 years
Smuggled out of Iran almost four decades ago, a group of ancient bricks have now been recovered from a warehouse in Switzerland. The public can finally view the ornamental designs in an upcoming major exhibition in Boukan and Tehran.
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