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 art news stories from April 3rd – April 9th, 2016.
Source: ARTNEWS
This week we saw the closure of the Valsuani Foundry, two men were arrested in connection with a 2009 art heist, and a long lost Caravaggio may have been recovered.
Top Art News Stories
Long-Lost Version of Caravaggio’s ‘Judith Beheading Holofernes’ may Have Surfaced in France
The second version of Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes is thought to have been recovered from a private collection in France. The first version is currently on display at Palazzo Barberini. The second version has been missing since the early 17th century. The painting found in France has not yet been authenticated but the Ministry of Culture has placed a ban on it leaving the country while its attribution is researched. Full Story Here →
Source: artnetnews
Valsuani Foundry, Creators of Controversial Copies of Degas Works, Ordered to Close
For the past three decades, Valsuani has created controversial plaster casts of Edgar Degas’s sculptures. They have now been ordered to shut up shop by a French judge who ruled they must liquidate their holdings in order to clear their debts to creditors. French Impressionist Degas had made it very clear that he was not a fan of bronze reproductions but the plaster casts were created anyway, with the permission of his family. Full Story Here →
Two Men Arrested in Connection With 2009 Art Heist
Two men have been arrested in connection with the 2009 theft of an Edvard Munch work from an Oslo art dealer. The men are suspected of handling stolen goods but not of actually carrying out the initial theft. The stolen lithograph was recovered last Monday. Edvard Munch works are a popular target for thieves, with the recent recovery estimated to be worth 2 million Kroner. Full Story Here →
Source: Yahoo
Auctionata Accused of Trade Violations
Berlin-based online auction house Auctionata have been accused of serious trade violations. A report has found that the CEO of the company participated in their own auction using pseudonyms as well as giving questionable valuations of works in return for “substantial” cash advances. Auctionata has released a statement saying they commissioned the report to “improve standards and increase transparency”. Full Story Here →
Chinese Artists Image of Dying Grandmother Nominated for BP Portrait Award
Chinese artist Bo Wang has made the shortlist for the BP Portrait Award with his haunting image of his cancer-stricken grandmother lying in her hospital bed. He is only the second Chinese artists to have ever been shortlisted. The other two artists shortlisted are British and no strangers to the competition. Full Story Here →
Source: The Guardian
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!
