In newly revealed letters, "the instructions make it clear how deeply involved Hepworth was in the casting procedure, caring not just about the final look of the metal, but also the precise angle of balance.” (Which might seem obvious? But, you know, woman.) - The Observer (UK)
“I don’t think Cattelan’s ‘prank’ was ever in good faith. The Italian artist swims in the same swamp as those he pretends to parody. The murkier the waters, the more they thrive.” - Hyperallergic
"Italian authorities have recovered precious 3rd century B.C. artifacts from an Etruscan necropolis looted by a couple of bungling tomb raiders in Umbria who stumbled across the haul on their land. … The artifacts, including eight urns, two sarcophagi and beauty accessories …, are worth at least 8 million euros ($8.5 million)." - CNN
Nora Abrams, who has been the director of Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art since 2019, will succeed Jill Medvedow, who will leave her position in March 2025. - WBUR
Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual piece, titled Comedian, first sold for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019; last night, cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun agreed to pay more than 50 times that amount. He gets a roll of duct tape, a banana, official instructions for installation and a certificate of authenticity. - CNN
He painted them, back in 1889, in a deep, vibrant purple. Here's how two conservators at the Getty figured that out — and why the irises have turned blue over the intervening 135 years. - Hyperallergic
The Museum of West African Art (Mowaa), a constellation of buildings and outdoor performance spaces spread out across a 6-hectare (15-acre) campus, will hold its inaugural exhibition in May 2025. - The Guardian
More than half a dozen nonprofit arts and cultural institutions reviewed by the Chronicle have experienced significant revenue decreases, most say attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels and some have had issues with fundraising in recent years. - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
Since last year, the Prado has been bringing novelists to live in an apartment overlooking the museum. They stay for periods ranging from three to six weeks, but they are not expected to write there. All they have to do is look at the art — and draw inspiration from what they see. - The New York Times
Stephanie Stebich raised more than $100 million for the museum in her seven years there and maintained good relations with the board and senior Smithsonian officials. But former and current staffers describe her decision-making as confused and her management style as anger and recrimination. - The Washington Post (MSN)
Buyers will compete to own more than 1,600 lots that are estimated to raise at least $1.1 billion. That includes a $1 million banana. The expected total is down more than a third from last November, with 16 percent fewer works headed to the auction block. - The New York Times
"Sinatra celebrated his return to bachelorhood by turning Farralone into the official headquarters of the Rat Pack’s poker games. During these alcohol-fueled gatherings, huge fortunes changed hands in the blink of an eye.” Then there’s the guest house, where Marilyn Monroe may have hung out with JFK. - El País
