There’s always something going on in the art world. Every Sunday, Agora starts the new week by looking back at what happened the week before. Here are our top 10 art news stories from February 14th – February 20th, 2016.
Source: artnetnews
This week brought us a leaky roof and we saw Russia cancel its top art prize.
Top Art News Stories
Prado Museum Backs Out of Bosch Loan
The Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid has unexpectedly retracted their offer to loan two Hieronymus Bosch paintings to the Noordbrabants Museum for a major retrospective of his work in his hometown in the Netherlands. The two works were originally thought to be Bosch’s own but on further inspection they were found to be the works of his followers. The Prado confirmed they will not be sending the paintings but did not say why. Full Story Here →
Member of Knoedler Forgery Ring Set to be Extradited From Spain to U.S.
The alleged partner of Knoedler Gallery fraudster Glafira Rosales will be extradited to the U.S. Once in the U.S., Jesus Angel Bergantinos Diaz can be charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering. Diaz and Rosales are accused of selling dozens of fake paintings over a period of 15 years. The fake paintings were made by a Chinese immigrant in Queens. Full Story Here →
Ancient Artifacts at Belgium’s Cinquantenaire Museum in Danger Due to Leaking Roof
The Cinquantenaire Museum’s collection of Roman mosaics and ancient relics is at risk of destruction due to a large number of leaks in the museum roof. Staff at the museum have had to resort to wrapping and concealing a number of the exhibits. Employees have said the problems with the roof have been going on for five years. Full Story Here →
Source: artnetnews
Russia Cancels Top Art Prize Following Dissident Artists Nomination
Russia has canceled it’s Innovatsiya Prize following the nomination of political dissident artist Pyotr Pavlensky. Pavlensky’s nomination was rejected by the award organizers due to his work “breaching the law and causing material damage.” His work attracted most of the jury members votes. The rejection of Pavlensky’s nomination came as a shock to some because previous winners have submitted politically charged works. Full Story Here →
Damien Hirst’s Portrait of the Queen Made Public
It has been announced that controversial artist Damien Hirst has created and donated his first portrait of the Queen to the Government Art Collection. The portrait was completed in 2014 and gifted to the collection in March 2015. Art critics expressed their shock that Hirst had “sold out” to the establishment after crafting his image as the enfant terrible of British art. Full Story Here →
Source: The Telegraph
$700 Million Worth of Methamphetamine Hidden in Art Supplies
$700 million worth of methamphetamine has been uncovered in New South Wales by Australian Border Police. The drugs were hidden inside children’s paint-by-numbers sets and inside bottles of acrylic paint. Three Hong Kong nationals and one Chinese national have been charged in connection with the bust. Full Story Here →
These are just some of the many news stories that caught our eye this past week. For more stories as-they-happen, be sure to also follow our Facebook and Twitter. You can also sign up for our newsletter for news about Agora Gallery, our exhibitions, and our artists!
We love to hear from you. Tell us about the art and news that you’ve seen online or in person this week!
