NewsArt market
French galleries sue state over Covid-19 closure
The gallery association CPGA is going to court, claiming its members are “victims of a distortion of competition” as auction houses are allowed to stay open
NewsArt market
Selling, selling, sold...and sold again. The truth about the bungled sale of a Van Gogh at Sotheby's
Rare painting of a Montmartre street scene sold three times in the same auction
NewsAppointments & departures
Succession: critics take aim at Louvre chief Jean-Luc Martinez as he seeks reappointment
French president Emmanuel Macron will decide whether to renew or replace the museum's director in the coming weeks
NewsMusée du Louvre
Louvre probes its collection for Nazi and colonial loot in massive provenance research project
Museum launches an online catalogue of 485,000 objects while curators comb through wartime acquisitions and works from former colonies
NewsRestitution
Cambodia’s Khmer heritage is finally returning home
Collector Douglas Latchford’s daughter has turned over his entire collection—as well as records that could lead to further recoveries from US institutions
NewsArt market
After a stormy few years, Paris Biennale is laid to rest
The long-running French event will be replaced by a new art, antiques and luxury crafts fair at the end of November
NewsAuctions
Surrealist collection of Man Ray's assistant sells out at Christie's despite 'serious concerns about ownership' of most of the works
Ahead of yesterday's sale in Paris, the Man Ray Trust called for a delay claiming that Lucien Treillard “stole a substantial number of Man Ray’s works and possessions"
NewsRenovation
Cy Twombly foundation ‘absolutely prepared to take legal action’ after Louvre ‘destroys’ artist’s ceiling painting in renovation works
The US artist's foundation says that it was not consulted over the French museum's changes to the Salle des Bronzes—the Louvre argues it does not have to
NewsControversies
Kamel Mennour gallery's representation of Claude Lévêque suspended after allegations of abuse of minors
According to French media reports, a police investigation has been launched into violations dating back to the 1970s
NewsArt market
French High Court orders retrial of Wildenstein art dynasty tax fraud case
Guy Wildenstein and his nephew were accused of hiding assets worth hundreds of millions but were acquitted in 2017 and 2018—now they are wanted back in court for a third trial
NewsAmedeo Modigliani
Revealed: the secrets behind Antonia, Modigliani’s ‘most complex work’
Researchers at C2RMF give an exclusive preview of their forensic study of all the artist's works in French museum collections
NewsMuseums
A date with Mona Lisa? A painting by Soulages? Louvre's fundraising auction offers all to the highest bidder
Online sale seeks to support a new space for art education and outreach that will open in the autumn of 2021
NewsArt market
'The law has to fall on someone': Seller of allegedly fake Frans Hals must pay Sotheby's $5.3m for cancelled sale, judge insists
Co-vendor of the painting, Fairlight Art Ventures had appealed the ruling last year but court upheld the decision yesterday, finding in favour of the auction house
NewsAntiquities & Archaeology
New York authorities return ancient stele to Egypt
The object was seized on its way to an art fair last year and came from the same network that sold other looted antiquities to museums
NewsArt market
Seller contests having to repay Sotheby’s for allegedly forged Frans Hals
In latest hearing of ongoing legal saga, Fairlight Art Ventures, co-vendor of painting sold in 2011 for $11.75m, is refusing to pay auction house more than $5.3m
NewsHeritage
Unesco, stop citing 'bogus' $10bn figure, art trade pleads
Ahead of a major anniversary this weekend, the international organisation is under fire for apparently exaggerating the scale of the illicit trade in cultural goods
Newselection 2020
Art world rejoices in Biden’s win of US presidency
Artists, collectors, policy makers and gallery owners share their reactions after the tightly fought election
NewsRestitution
France ordered to return three Derain paintings to heirs of Jewish dealer René Gimpel
Ruling by Paris court of appeal sets an important precedent for pending restitution claim over 16 paintings in French museum collections
NewsMuseums & Heritage
Quebec Culture Minister promises overhaul of Montreal Museum of Fine Arts after independent report cites governance issues
The redacted report suggests major changes, including the creation of an ethics committee or a reduction in the board’s size
NewsMuseums
Paris court case shines a light on growing cosiness between curators, state museums and galleries
Marlborough gallery and a retired Guimet Museum curator are accused of bribery in their promotion of the artist Chu Teh-Chun—but say they broke no rules
NewsMuseums
Chair of Montreal Museum of Fine Arts steps down as former director sues over unfair dismissal
Michel de la Chenelière is not seeking term renewal as controversy over Nathalie Bondil's departure rumbles on
NewsAntiquities trafficking
French dealer sues over Egyptian stele seized on way to Tefaf New York
Legal case brought against antiquities expert who also sold an allegedly looted golden sarcophagus to the Metropolitan Museum last year, while an arrest is made in Germany
NewsInternational Council of Museums
Icom in turmoil after row over new definition of museums
Wrangling over "ideological" text prompts resignations from International Council of Museums
NewsArt market
Douglas Latchford's death reignites unresolved controversy over alleged smuggling of Cambodian antiquities
News of the death of dealer and expert in South East Asian art raises strong reactions and unanswered questions
NewsObituaries
'Adventurer scholar' Douglas Latchford dies in Bangkok, aged 89
Expert in Khmer and Indian antiquities was a dealer in Cambodian art in the 1970s and last year was accused of smuggling and creating false provenances for antiquities
NewsArt law
Yves Bouvier evaded paying taxes on £276m of art sales, Swiss authorities claim
Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court ordered documents unsealed that call into question whether the dealer declared all profits from sales made to Dimitry Rybolovlev
NewsMuseums
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts placed on 'concerned status' over sacking of director
Canada Council for the Arts will monitor the crisis following Nathalie Bondil’s dismissal, which could put the museum's public funding at risk
NewsDisasters & destruction
Security questions remain after Nantes cathedral blaze: 'There's no European country where church fires are this common'
An arson investigation has been launched into the fire at the Gothic St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in western France
NewsControversies
Musée d'Orsay cuts ties with Montreal Museum of Fine Arts over sacking of director Nathalie Bondil
International museum leaders speak out against the treatment of "the best, most dynamic, and most innovative art museum director in North America"
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Notre Dame's spire to be rebuilt the way it was—but use of lead likely to spark new controversy
French President Macron makes u-turn after first suggesting the 19th-century spire, which was destroyed in the fire last year, should be replaced by a contemporary design
NewsArt market
Monaco court dismisses criminal case against Yves Bouvier
The Swiss art dealer had been accused of fraud and money laundering by the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev—a related case in Geneva remains active
NewsArt market
American collector to sue France over restitution of $1.7m Pissarro painting
Real estate developer Bruce Toll claims compensation after French High court confirms return of Pissarro's Pea Harvest to heirs of collector Simon Bauer
NewsAntiquities & Archaeology
Paris dealer who sold golden sarcophagus to New York’s Metropolitan Museum charged with fraud and money laundering
The work was returned to Egypt last year after officials were shown evidence it might have been looted during the Arab Spring in 2011
InterviewMusée du Louvre
'I am not too worried by crowd problems': Louvre director predicts visitor numbers will drop by 80%
Jean-Luc Martinez believes that capitalising on the museum's permanent collection will be key to recovery
NewsAntiquities
Former Louvre curator among five arrested in Paris in antiquities trafficking investigation
Case involves "hundreds of objects worth millions" looted from the Near and Middle East
NewsArt market
Trial of Paris gallery over stolen Picasso works delayed until next year due to coronavirus court backlog
A handyman allegedly stole works on paper from the artist’s stepdaughter over three years, before they were discovered in the possession of the owner of Belle et Belle gallery
NewsMuseums
French museums reveal plans to re-open in June and July
Louvre is "is working towards a planned reopening on 6 July" with strict rules for social distancing and 70% of the museum open to the public
NewsArt market
One third of French galleries could shut before end of 2020 due to coronavirus impact
Survey issued by the Comité professionnel des galeries d'art reveals the economic damage already done, with members estimating a total loss of €184m for this quarter
Newscoronavirus
Patrick Devedjian—French politician and driving force behind new museum dedicated to the Sun King—has died of coronavirus
Devedjian was leading plans for a museum project in Saint-Cloud, west of Paris, about the reign of Louis XIV
Newscoronavirus
France’s culture minister tests positive for Covid-19
Franck Riester was due to meet with representatives from the country’s arts and culture spaces about the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, but is now resting at home
NewsOld Masters
Old Master scandal dealt fresh blow as Court of Appeal rejects arrest warrant
French investigation into Giuliano Ruffini, the prime suspect in the case, is hampered by Milan ruling
NewsArt market
Old Master scandal: Italy rejects European arrest warrant for painter connected to forgery case
Lino Frongia was arrested in September as part of a major investigation involving works purportedly by Lucas Cranach, Frans Hals, Parmigianino, Gentileschi and Bronzino
NewsLaw
France reconfirms that women baring their breasts in public is illegal—even for artists and protestors
Two women who are part of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen were charged for topless protests, one of which was in a Paris museum
NewsForgeries
Alleged Bronzino seized from the Alana Collection in connection with ongoing Old Master scandal
French customs officials have barred the return of Saint Cosmos to the US following its inclusion in a show at the Jacquemart André Museum in Paris
NewsArt crime
Federal charges could lead to deeper scrutiny of Cambodian art in the US
Major museums hold works linked to prolific collector accused of smuggling and fraud
NewsRestitution
France promises to return 26 looted Benin artefacts by 2021 and opens talks on 'wider set of works'
But full restitution depends on changes to French law and the construction of new Benin museum
NewsArt market
'A victory of justice over big money': criminal case against art dealer Yves Bouvier dismissed by Monaco court
Verdict is likely to have a domino effect on all other cases filed by Russian billionaire collector Dmitry Rybolovlev
NewsArt market
Sotheby's wins case over 'modern forgery' Frans Hals
Consigner of problematic painting must repay auction house for reimbursement to American client
NewsArt law
French court upholds suspended sentence for Picasso's former electrician
Pierre Le Guennec and his wife Danièle hoarded 271 works for 40 years
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
The French general’s advice to Notre Dame's chief architect: ‘Just shut up!’
A public spat between officials erupted this week in Paris over the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged cathedral and whether its historic spire should be restored as it was or a new spire built in its place
NewsArt crime
Painter linked to Old Master forgery case appeals arrest warrant
Italian court postpones decision over Lino Frongia's arrest and transfer to France until February
NewsArt market
A 'destructive act': scholars criticise sale of pages separated from 15th-century Persian manuscript
Christie's defends decision to sell two illuminations, expected to make up to £1m each, as they were removed from The Paths of Paradise 30 years ago
NewsExhibitions
Louvre Leonardo show: forget Salvator Mundi, focus on Vasari
Forthcoming exhibition on the Renaissance master reveals ground-breaking new research on Italian literary sources
PreviewExhibitions
Paris exhibition to cast El Greco in new light
Survey at the Grand Palais aims to distance itself from the stereotypes usually associated with the artist
NewsMusée du Louvre
Louvre director plots great collections reshuffle
Jean-Luc Martinez reveals his big plans for the museum and why 250,000 objects must leave Paris
NewsLeonardo da Vinci
Salvator Mundi set to be a no-show in Louvre show
Paris museum's attempts to secure $450m Leonardo look doomed to failure, and the loser will be art history
NewsCultural exchange
Louvre secures key Italian loans for Leonardo retrospective
The Vitruvian Man—normally only shown for a few weeks every six years—will travel from Venice’s Gallerie dell'Accademia to Paris
NewsArt market
Pre-Columbian auction in Paris goes ahead in face of protest from Guatemala and Mexico
Although one Mayan relief was withdrawn, the Mexican government condemned the "illegal" sale but auctioneer Millon defends it as "perfectly legitimate"
NewsGiuliano Ruffini
Old Master fakes scandal: warrant issued for dealer Giuliano Ruffini as painter Lino Frongia arrested
Suspect has been jailed in northern Italy over case that has embroiled major international museums and dealers
NewsArt fairs
Paris fair struggles to move on from forged furniture fiasco
Criminal investigation launched three years ago into Parisian dealers at La Biennale continues to diminish confidence in the event's integrity
NewsInternational Council of Museums
Vote on Icom's new museum definition postponed
Decision over the controversial update was made at the general assembly in Kyoto on the weekend
NewsMuseums
What exactly is a museum? Icom comes to blows over new definition
As 50-year-old statement is overhauled, feuds over new description could "seriously weaken" the International Council of Museums
NewsConservation
Isenheim altarpiece restorers invite visitors in
Laser imaging comes to aid of restoration of 16th-century paintings and sculptures
NewsArt market
Biennale Paris vetting committee co-presidents withdraw two months before the fair is due to open
Chairmen of the CNE and the SFEP say the fair's vetting experts disagree over the admission of two exhibitors to this year's edition
NewsRestitution
France retreats from report recommending automatic restitutions of looted African artefacts
Suggestions from controversial Savoy-Sarr report were all-but buried at a conference held in Paris
NewsChâteau de Versailles
Château de Versailles buys back €4m royal commode that left France after Louvre missed its royal mark
The piece of furniture by Bernard II van Risenburgh, which left for the US almost four decades ago, was commissioned by Louis XV for his stepdaughter
NewsMona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is on the move this summer at the Musée du Louvre
The Leonardo painting, which is seen by thousands of visitors each day, is temporarily leaving its home during renovations to the gallery
NewsArt market
Ignored by the Louvre, 'lost' Caravaggio bought in private sale is destined for 'important museum'
Estimated to sell between €100m-€150m at auction on Friday, an anonymous buyer has snapped up the disputed painting that was discovered in a French attic
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
World Heritage Committee will not discuss Notre Dame at its 2019 annual meeting
France is due to provide a report on the fire-ravaged church this year
NewsMuseums & Heritage
Former Louvre director donates his collection to forthcoming museum devoted to the 'Sun King'
Pierre Rosenberg has pledged his collection of works by Charles Le Brun and other artists to the new museum
NewsNazi loot
Court case over three Derain paintings will test France's promise to speed up Nazi-era claims
Grandchildren of art dealer René Gimpel accuse French culture ministry of blocking restitution of works hanging in state museums
News
French exhibition aims to reveal naked truth about 'nude Mona Lisa'
New research suggests work could be a prototype of an idealised “Venus” portrait designed by Leonardo himself
NewsArt market
More grief for Aristophil investors as French government seizes hundreds of documents
Around 18,000 people invested in the now bankrupted company's manuscripts collection, but state says many items of historical importance should never have been sold
News
Macron uses Notre Dame fire to urge unity amid ongoing protests
NewsLeonardo da Vinci
Louvre struggles to gain loans for Leonardo show
High-level diplomacy is being used to secure the artist’s most important works for blockbuster anniversary show in Paris
NewsArt market
Frans Hals court case may be settled but it raises questions over science, scholars and contracts
After settling with dealer Mark Weiss, Sotheby’s is still trying to recoup losses after refunding US buyer of the painting
NewsArt market
Two art dealers sentenced over 'fake-genuine' Rodin sculptures after 18 year legal battle
US-based Gary Snell and Paris dealer Robert Crouzet found guilty in French court of making and selling copies of works by the French sculptor
NewsRembrandt
Louvre bids to buy Rembrandt masterpiece from Rothschild collection in France
The state has deferred the painting's export licence giving the museum 30 months to find the funds
NewsCathedral of Notre Dame
Notre Dame will be rebuilt, President Macron confirms
As the extent of the damage continues to be assessed, investigation into cause of devastating fire begins
NewsArt market
Court case over 'modern forgery' Frans Hals concludes but judgment reserved until summer
Sotheby's James Martin stands by his assertion that the painting is a fake following hours of interrogation challenging the independence of his scientific analysis
NewsArt market
Sotheby’s settles claim against London dealer Mark Weiss in Frans Hals case
Settlement came day before trial was due to start, but its suit against financier will continue
AnalysisMusée du Louvre
Thirty years on, Louvre's pyramid scheme pays off
I.M. Pei’s controversial entrance symbolises the Parisian museum’s spectacular growth
InterviewNational Museum of Qatar
Jean Nouvel: 'desert rose' Qatar museum blooms against the odds
We speak to the French architect about the search for a national landmark and the hurdles that faced the mammoth project
NewsObituaries
Matisse expert and archivist Wanda de Guebriant has died, aged 69
The only authorised authenticator of the artist’s work started her 40-year career as an assistant to Matisse’s daughter, Marguerite Duthuit
NewsArt theft
Serial art thief Stéphane Breitwieser arrested—again
Having served a six-year jail sentence, he came under suspicion again after offering a 19th-century paperweight on eBay
NewsBeirut
Beirut Museum of Art vows to carry on as honorary chairman Carlos Ghosn remains in jail
Museum board says fundraising campaign to build delayed private museum is not dependent on the scandal-hit auto executive
NewsHeritage
Aliph, the global fund to protect cultural heritage, announces its first projects in Iraq and Mali
Launched in 2016, Aliph will finance restoration work with technical support from the Louvre and Smithsonian Institution
AnalysisRestitution
The repatriation debate intensifies as calls for post-colonial restitution grow—but is it legal?
Recommendations from Savoy-Sarr report into restitution by French museums may contravene the country’s laws
NewsAmedeo Modigliani
Forensic examination of all Modigliani works in French museums gets under way
Comprehensive analysis of 29 pieces from ten institutions could be “the best weapon against forgery”
NewsRestitution
Senegal and Ivory Coast will ask for return of objects in French museums
Statements come just days after the release of a controversial French report on the restitution of African artefacts
NewsArchitecture
Hala Wardé dismissed as architect of planned Beirut Museum of Art
Difficulties began when the museum asked HW Architecture to work pro bono
NewsRestitution
French President Emmanuel Macron calls for international conference on the return of African artefacts
Announcement comes after controversial report urged the president to return works taken “without consent” in the colonial period
NewsCultural policy
'Give Africa its art back', Macron's report says
A new report on the status of African objects in French museums will urge the president to return works taken “without consent” in the colonial period
News
Louvre Abu Dhabi tops one million visitors in its first year
Leonardo da Vinci’s La Belle Ferronière will remain on loan to the museum for another year
NewsLaw
US court orders collector to repay Sotheby’s $1.2m for Parmigianino fake
The judgement comes after two experts found the painting was made with modern synthetic pigments
NewsRenaissance
Isenheim Altarpiece restoration finally back on track after public outcry
More than 30 conservators will treat paintings and sculptures, seven years after French culture ministry halted reckless cleaning of two panels
PreviewCollecting
Giampietro Campana assembled the greatest private collection of his age—then lost the lot
A new show at the Musée du Louvre reunites 500 of the collector's artefacts, showing his admiration for Italian art across the ages
NewsRiyadh
Huge French-Saudi cultural collaboration cemented despite Khashoggi murder
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed plans to develop Al-Ula Province one day after Turkish officials announced killing of Saudi journalist
CommentObituaries
When Karl Lagerfeld sold his art collection
The fashion designer, who died this week at the age of 85, spent lavishly on decorating his houses in the style of the Ancien Régime
Vincent Noce