In an Italian Masterpiece, Art and Faith Meet
Opinion, Today
Readers respond to a guest essay about the religious feelings inspired by Fra Angelico’s painting. Also: Down times at the movies.
Marilyn Minter Is Camera Ready
Style, Today
The 77-year-old artist has spent her career observing others. Now, with the documentary “Pretty Dirty: The Life and Times of Marilyn Minter,” she becomes the star.
Dorothy Vogel, Librarian With a Vast Art Collection, Dies at 90
Arts, Yesterday
On modest civil servants’ salaries, she and her husband amassed a trove of some 4,000 works by art-world luminaries, storing them in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment.
This Washington Museum Sold Some of Its Art. But at What Cost?
Arts, Yesterday
The Phillips Collection sold three works and raised $13 million to buy contemporary art, but the decision has led to rancor within the 104-year-old institution.
French Ideas, Made in the U.S.A.
Arts, November 21
The Chicago-born curator Naomi Beckwith has been given free rein at the Palais de Tokyo to examine how American artists responded to thinkers from France.
Un retrato de Frida Kahlo se vende por 55 millones de dólares, un récord para un artista latinoamericano
En español, November 21
El autorretrato surrealista fue realizado en 1940, un año turbulento en la vida de la artista mexicana en el que su salud y su matrimonio se deterioraron.
Anonymous Bidder Pays Nearly $1 Million for Secret to Decode C.I.A. Sculpture
Science, November 21
The creator of the Kryptos panels, Jim Sanborn, sought to unburden himself of the puzzle, and then discovered before an auction he had archived its solution in the Smithsonian.
Frida Kahlo Portrait Sells for $55 Million, Setting Her Auction Record
Arts, November 21
The surrealistic self-portrait was made in 1940, a turbulent year in the Mexican artist’s life as her health and marriage deteriorated.
Louvre’s Embattled Leader Defends Contested Renovation Plan, and Her Tenure
World, November 20
In one of her very few interviews since the museum heist, Laurence des Cars said the plan would increase much-needed security, but critics say it is too focused on new construction.
Arthur Jafa Crafts a Mixtape from MoMA’s Art
Arts, November 20
In “Artist’s Choice: Arthur Jafa,” the artist mines the museum’s vaults for an exhibition that gives new meaning to what he found there.
Ruth Asawa Turned Wire Into Her Lifeline
Arts, November 20
Her undulating looped-wire sculptures and drawings of flowers hint at personal depths, in a major retrospective at MoMA.
Told to Avoid D.E.I., Arts Groups Are Declining Grants Instead
Arts, November 20
Even with arts funding at risk, some organizations are rejecting federal money because of censorship concerns.
Believe It or Not, That $12 Million Gold Toilet Was Bought by … Ripley’s
Arts, November 19
The entertainment company plans on displaying the toilet, saying its team is exploring “whether visitors may someday be allowed to use it.”
Klimt Art Is Second-Most Expensive Painting Ever Sold at Auction
Video, November 19
At $236.4 million, a portrait of a woman by Gustav Klimt became the second-most expensive painting ever sold at auction. An 18-karat solid gold toilet by the artist Maurizio Cattelan sold for $12.1 million at the auction at Sotheby’s in New York on Tuesday.
The Artist Who Makes Clay Look Like Navels, Nipples and Vertebrae
T Magazine, November 19
For more than five decades, the ceramist Magdalene Odundo has been making abstract, time-intensive vessels that recall bodies in motion.
Your Guide to Tokyo
Interactive, November 19
From the must-see locations to the most frequently asked questions, our guide has all you need to plan your next visit.
After the Death of Two Titans, Where Are the Next Giant Art Patrons?
Arts, November 19
With the passing of Leonard A. Lauder and Agnes Gund amid financial headwinds, arts organizations worry that the cultural megadonor may be a thing of the past.
6 obras de arte que podrían predecir el mercado
En español, November 19
Un inodoro de oro, fósiles de dinosaurio y un cuadro de Frida Kahlo se encuentran entre las obras más esperadas en las subastas de otoño.
At $236.4 Million, Portrait by Klimt is Second Most Expensive Painting Sold at Auction
Arts, November 19
The portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, looted by the Nazis and spared from a blaze, was a highlight of the Sotheby’s inaugural sale in its new home.
The Art World Chooses Its Favorite Films About Artists
T Magazine, November 18
Movies with artist-protagonists are known to be disappointing. These pass muster and even inspire.
Body Slams, Curated: Pro Wrestling Enters Its Museum Era
Arts, November 18
The over-the-top spectacle has been slicing into the art world, with gallery shows, performances and a forthcoming major exhibition.
The Art of Britain’s Windrush Generation Has Never Felt More Relevant
T Magazine, November 18
At a time of rising xenophobia and nativism, their work examines the meeting of different cultures, and their own right to belong.
Met Returns Buddhist Painting Thought Taken During the Korean War
Arts, November 17
The 18th-century painting, which the Met acquired in 2007, is believed to have been removed from a South Korean temple while it was controlled by the U.S. Army.
Met Museum Employees Petition to Create Union
Arts, November 17
The proposal, for a union to represent nearly 1,000 employees, would make the Met one of the largest unionized museums in the country.
With New Condé Nast Galleries, the Met Museum Gets Fashion Forward
Arts, November 17
The Costume Institute is bringing its annual blockbuster show to a permanent home off the Grand Hall, due in part to Anna Wintour’s efforts to get “out of the basement.”
In a Billionaire’s Playground, Six Artworks Could Predict the Market
Arts, November 17
The art market had a summer of closures and consolidations. But major collections, blue-chip art and guarantees have pushed expectations high for the marquee sales.
The Kids Are Up All Night, With Jewels and Bones
Arts, November 15
After a five-year hiatus, the much-loved tradition of sleepovers at the American Museum of Natural History has returned.
Want to Buy a Work of Art at Auction? Here’s What to Know.
T Magazine, November 14
A step-by-step guide to navigating this oft-misunderstood part of the market, with tips on getting what you want without experiencing buyer’s remorse.
Napoleon’s Brooch, Lost as He Fled Waterloo, Sells for $4.4 Million
World, November 14
The diamond-encrusted jewel, which the 19th-century French emperor wore on his hat, was lost along with other valuables as he retreated from his final battle.
Discovering 5 Treasures of Photography
Arts, November 14
Some of the most impressive photographs on display at the Paris Photo Fair were made many decades ago but are now being seen anew or, in some cases, for the first time.
‘Now I’m on the Stage’: 7 Artists on Their Museum Residencies in Harlem
Arts, November 14
The Studio Museum in Harlem’s longtime residency program has been pivotal to artists of color. Here, alumni look back on why it was so crucial to them.
Pioneering U.S. Street Photography, With Vienna in the Background
Arts, November 13
Lisette Model’s candid and cruel portraits spawned an American genre. But the key to understanding her might lie in Europe, where she was born.
5 Apps That Will Make You Love Art Galleries
Arts, November 13
Craving an art fix but don’t know where to start? These new art influencers can help newbies and players navigate openings, events and listings.
Wifredo Lam: Artist-Poet of Tropical Dreams and Sorrows
Arts, November 13
The great Cuban modernist, whose politics and Afro-Asian roots shaped his paintings and inspired generations of artists, gets a revelatory survey at MoMA.
Trump and the Rising Cost of Health Care
Opinion, November 12
Readers respond to news analysis articles about health care and the shutdown. Also: Art in new spaces; what A.I. isn’t.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles Sets 2026 Opening Date
Arts, November 12
The 300,000-square-foot building will open Sept. 22 and showcase comic art, illustrations and more across 35 galleries. It began construction in 2018 but faced multiple delays.
A Company Sold Investors $1 Billion in Art. Did it Paint Too Rosy a Picture?
Arts, November 12
Masterworks offers average investors a chance to buy individual shares in paintings often only owned by the rich, but critics say its marketing can overstate the upside of investing in its art.
Does This $1 Billion Art Collection Paint Too Rosy a Picture?
Video, November 12
“No art investing experience? No problem,” the website of Masterworks announces. Zachary Small, a New York Times reporter covering the art world, explains why some experts see a problem.
3 Bob Ross Paintings Sell for $600,000 to Support Public Broadcasters
U.S., November 12
The landscapes by the television host were sold as part of a campaign to help public television stations weather federal funding cuts.
Trump Cuts and Orders Have Broad Impact on American Museums, Report Finds
Arts, November 11
A survey of museum directors reveals the impact of federal cutbacks: reduced arts programs for rural areas, students and people who are elderly or disabled.
Roman-Era Treasures Stolen From Syria’s National Museum
World, November 11
The Damascus museum theft set off an official investigation in what may be one of Syria’s largest losses of antiquities in recent years.
The Mysterious ‘Louvre Detective’ Was a 15-Year-Old Passer-by
World, November 11
The photo of a dapper man in a fedora sparked many questions: Was the person real? A Sherlock Holmes-inspired detective on the case? Or just being very French?
Recently Ousted Director of Philadelphia Art Museum Sues Over Her Dismissal
Arts, November 10
Sasha Suda claims the museum did not have a valid reason for abruptly firing her last week from one of the most prominent jobs in the art world.
For the Children of Performa, the Sound of Art Is a Buzz and a Growl
Arts, November 10
An arts festival taps third- and fourth-graders to teach adults a thing or two about authenticity.
When Addiction Treatment Is Involuntary
Opinion, November 9
Readers respond to a proposal in Utah to forcibly remove homeless people. Also: Stolen treasures; America’s gambling problem; why retire?
Can You Stare at a Work of Art for 10 Minutes?
Times Insider, November 9
A year and a half ago, a team of Times journalists had a simple ask: Look — really look — at a work of art for 10 minutes. The response has blown them away.
Is This Artist the Joe Rogan of the Art World?
Arts, November 8
Joshua Citarella, the artist behind the podcast “Doomscroll” and the digital project Do Not Research, explains how online subcultures influence today’s politics.
Even Without Benin Bronzes, This New Museum Aims to Be a Powerhouse
Arts, November 7
The Museum of West African Art is poised to give Nigeria an institution of global significance, although its most hyped attractions won’t be there.
Who’s Selling the $10 Million Gold Toilet? Signs Point to the Mets’ Owner.
Arts, November 7
The billionaire Steve Cohen is reported to have purchased the 18-karat flushable sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan in 2017. It’s now coming up for sale at Sotheby’s.
Design or Art? Both. At the ‘Salon’ Fair, 6 Ways to See Why.
Arts, November 6
The most thematically permissive fair in New York’s art schedule — where sofas compete with paintings and sculptures — brings up old questions about why we like objects.
Planting a Flag, and a Flagship, for Black Art
Arts, November 6
The reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem, after seven years of construction, comes with dazzling alumni and collection shows.
With JPEGs and Oils, Sam McKinniss Paints the 2020s
Style, November 5
Now on display at a Manhattan gallery, his internet-sourced portraits are in demand. But he says, “I’m a very nervous person.”
Polarizing San Francisco Fountain Will Be Dismantled
Arts, November 5
“From a city that is supposed to be avant-garde, it’s a shame,” the sculpture’s 96-year-old artist said after the decision.
Director of Philadelphia Art Museum Is Dismissed After Unpopular Rebranding
Arts, November 5
Sasha Suda was three years into her five-year contract when the museum’s board announced that she was being terminated for cause.
Norman Rockwell’s Family Condemns Homeland Security’s Use of His Work
Arts, November 4
In a series of social media posts, the department used the artist’s paintings to promote the Trump administration’s anti-immigration agenda.
Climate Activist Who Vandalized Degas Case Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison
Arts, November 3
In a high-profile act of eco-activism, Tim Martin and a partner had smeared black and red paint on the case at the National Gallery of Art in 2023.
The Netherlands Will Return Looted Pharoah-Era Artifact to Egypt
World, November 3
The 3,500-year-old artifact, likely stolen from Egypt during the Arab Spring in 2011 or 2012, was found at an elite European art fair in Maastricht.
El caso del Louvre demuestra el poder de las bases de datos de ADN para resolver delitos
En español, November 3
El acervo de perfiles de ADN de Francia ha ayudado a resolver delitos de gran repercusión, como el atraco del Louvre, y sigue creciendo.
What to Know About the Louvre Heist Investigation
World, November 3
Three of the four people whom the police believe carried out the theft have been arrested. But the jewelry is nowhere to be found.
Your Guide to London
Interactive, November 3
From the must-see locations to the most frequently asked questions, our guide has all you need to plan your next visit.
A Public Art Rocket Ship Lands in Manhattan
Arts, November 3
“The Mothership Connection” grew out of the artist Zak Ové’s fascination with “how masquerade had become a space for pivotally working towards Trinidad’s independence.”
What Ever Happened to Greer Lankton?
T Magazine, November 3
Nearly 30 years after her death, the artist’s freakish and fashionable doll sculptures are finally getting their due. But those who knew her best are still grappling with her legacy.
Inspired by Rome’s Pantheon: An Underground Art Cave in South Korea
Arts, November 3
The British sculptor Antony Gormley and the Japanese architect Tadao Ando designed an installation evoking the ancient Roman dome. Building it was complicated.
Arrests in Louvre Heist Show Power of DNA Databases in Solving Crimes
World, November 3
France’s trove of DNA profiles has helped solve high-profile crimes and was used to find some of the Louvre suspects, and it is growing. The police can also access other countries’ databases.
10-Minute Challenge: A Vase of Flowers
Interactive, November 3
We’d like you to look at one piece of art for 10 minutes, uninterrupted.
Can a Painting Make a Skeptic Believe?
Opinion, November 2
Fra Angelico’s work is not merely artistically significant. It is a spiritual experience.
Un tesoro del Renacimiento vuelve a Roma 40 años después de ser robado
En español, November 1
La policía de arte de Italia aún no sabe quién se llevó la página manuscrita brillantemente iluminada de un convento franciscano, y todavía quedan muchas páginas por encontrar.
Alison Knowles, Artist Who Took Lunch to New Levels, Dies at 92
Arts, October 31
An early participant in the eccentric collection of artists known as Fluxus, she was perhaps best known for pieces centered on a humble tuna sandwich and a giant salad.
Kelvin LaVerne, Creator of Enigmatic Furnishings, Dies at 88
Arts, October 31
With his father, Philip, he made idiosyncratic, often monumental bronze work influenced by ancient themes. But was it art or was it furniture?
An Old Debate Meets a New Solution for N.C.’s Confederate Statues
U.S., October 31
Three Confederate statues that were removed from communities around the state are back on view for the public — this time on private land.
The Golden Toilet Returns as a Sotheby’s Headliner, for $10 Million
Arts, October 31
The flushable sculpture, “America,” was made by Maurizio Cattelan, the artist whose banana taped to the wall sold for $6.2 million last year.
A Haunted Tour of the Met Museum
Video, October 31
Zachary Small, culture reporter, takes us on a tour of his four favorite spooky artworks at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. You’re in for a scare: they include a decapitation platter and a sculpture of a rumored cannibal.
Enslaved Potter’s Art, Displayed at Boston Museum, Returns to Heirs at Last
U.S., October 31
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, said David Drake, the artist, had been “deprived of his creations involuntarily and without compensation.”
Art Gallery Shows to See in November
Arts, October 30
This week in Newly Reviewed, Jillian Steinhauer covers E.E. Ikeler’s cosmic diagrams, Veronica Ryan’s resolute casualness, Tega Brain and Sam Lavigne’s climate change interventions.
Over 1,000 Objects Are Stolen From Oakland Museum
Arts, October 30
A robbery this month targeted Indigenous baskets, jewelry and other artifacts from a storage facility of the Oakland Museum of California.
La historia detrás del atraco en el Louvre que conmocionó al mundo
En español, October 30
Más de una semana después de que unos ladrones hurtaran tesoros del Louvre, se perfila la imagen de un robo bien planeado que aprovechó los fallos de seguridad del museo y se adelantó a la policía.
French Police Arrest 5 More in Louvre Robbery Investigation
World, October 30
The authorities have detained seven suspects in total, but have not recovered the stolen jewels.
Monet Was Reluctant. Venice Seduced Him.
Arts, October 30
Even on vacation, the father of French impressionism couldn’t resist the pull of optics and art history. A lush blockbuster show in Brooklyn helps you see why.
Harlem’s Remarkable New Studio Museum Redefines 125th Street
Arts, October 30
After seven years and $160 million, the museum has an uplifting home on a street that has always been a barometer of Harlem’s fortunes and aspirations.
The Artist Whose Muse Is the Hardware Store
T Magazine, October 30
B. Wurtz uses humble, everyday materials — plastic bags, aluminum pans — and turns them into something beautiful. Here, his life in five artworks.
Martin Puryear Sees Sculpture as a Bodily Encounter
Arts, October 30
In a full-career survey at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, he melds form, material and an engagement with the world.
Inside the Heist That Shocked the World
World, October 30
More than a week after thieves made off with treasures from the Louvre, a picture is emerging of a seemingly well-planned burglary that exploited security lapses at the museum and outpaced the police.
Four Decades After It Was Stolen, a Renaissance Treasure Returns to Rome
World, October 29
The Italian art police still don’t know who took the brilliantly illuminated manuscript page from a Franciscan friary, and many more pages have yet to be found.
Can the James Baldwin Typebot Tell Us the Meaning of Life?
Arts, October 29
In the financial district of Manhattan, an A.I.-equipped typewriter, fueled by James Baldwin’s works, types back at you with answers to your questions.
Facing Crisis, Talladega College Sells Its Art Treasures
Arts, October 29
An H.B.C.U.’s remarkable Hale Woodruff murals commemorating Black history have been bought by an art museum and two foundations. But the college says it is not completely letting go.
Jewish Heirs Sue the Met, Saying a van Gogh It Sold Was Nazi Loot
Arts, October 28
The museum says it had no idea at the time, but the heirs say the Met curator who bought and sold the work, a former U.S. Army specialist on looting, should have known better.
Bringing New Life to Empty Subway Shops
Arts, October 28
A dino store, dance parties, radio and visual art are set up underground, building community in free space from the M.T.A.
How to Make Art Out of Confederate Monuments
Magazine, October 28
A new show featuring decommissioned statues forces a reckoning with American history at a moment when Donald Trump is trying to stop just that.
A Glistening Makeover for a Rockefeller Center Icon
New York, October 27
Prometheus, the statue in the center’s lower plaza at the back of the skating rink, is being regilded. The work is expected to be done before the Christmas tree lighting.
La policía francesa detiene a personas relacionadas con el robo al Louvre
En español, October 26
Los ladrones robaron más de 100 millones de dólares en joyas del museo de París. No está claro cuántas personas fueron detenidas, pero un hombre fue capturado cuando intentaba salir de Francia.
Drew Struzan, Masterly Painter of Movie Posters, Dies at 78
Movies, October 26
He created realistic imagery for the “Star Wars” franchise, the Indiana Jones films and the “Back to the Future” trilogy. He also put Alice Cooper in a tuxedo and tails for an album cover.
Police Make Arrests in Louvre Robbery, Authorities Say
World, October 26
Four thieves broke into the famed Paris museum last week and stole over $100 million in historical jewelry, shocking France and the world. It is unclear how many people were arrested.
‘It’s Got to Be an Inside Job’: Jewelry Thieves Weigh In on Louvre Heist
World, October 25
Was it the heist of the century or a master class in incompetence by the museum? Some prominent former jewelry thieves have plenty to say about the audacious break-in at the Louvre.
6 Podcasts About Making and Appreciating Art
Arts, October 25
These shows seek to decode and democratize art, providing expert insight into art history and practical tips on cultivating an artistic habit of your own.
Chinatown Vendor Tallies Neighborhood’s Decline in $1 Plastic Bracelets
Metro, November 24
A longtime vendor in Manhattan’s Chinatown is finding it harder to make a living as people shun his intricate crafts, haggle over cheap knickknacks and shift their spending online.
Monet, Taylor Swift, ‘Moana’: What Got Readers Through Their Grief
Arts & Leisure, August 10
After our series on how artists have been affected by loss, we asked readers what helped them when they experienced it. These are 15 of their answers.
The Met Museum Is Rebounding, but Not With International Visitors
Weekend, July 24
The museum said it attracted more local visitors during the past year than it did before the pandemic, but only half the international visitors.
A Steadying Force for the Africa Center Is Stepping Down
Culture, April 11
Uzodinma Iweala, chief executive of the Harlem institution, will leave at the end of 2024 after guiding it through pandemic years and securing funds.
Audience Snapshot: Four Years After Shutdown, a Mixed Recovery
Culture, March 12
Covid brought live performance to a halt. Now the audience for pop concerts and sporting events has roared back, while attendance on Broadway and at some major museums is still down.
The Global Art Business Is Better, but Not Booming
Special Sections, December 5
After struggling with the Covid pandemic, the industry is now dealing with inflation, high interest rates and international conflicts.
Looking to the Art Fair World of 2024
Special Sections, December 5
Art fairs managed to survive the downturn brought about by the Covid pandemic and are on the rise again — a trend expected to continue in the coming year.
A Kinetic Cloud of Humanity for Moynihan Train Hall
Culture, September 24
Joshua Frankel, an artist whose grandfather worked at the James Farley Post Office, has deep roots at the site of his new video project for Art at Amtrak.
The Days Were Long and the Years Were Longer
Book Review, July 3
In her new memoir, “The Light Room,” Kate Zambreno looks back on the unending togetherness of family life during the pandemic.
Radical Rethinking at Biennale: Africa and the Future Share Pride of Place
Culture, May 22
Don’t be fooled by its generic title. Lesley Lokko’s “Laboratory of the Future” is the most ambitious and pointedly political Venice Architecture Biennale in years.
Through Catastrophe, and in Community, the Art of Daniel Lind-Ramos
Weekend, May 4
A storm, a pandemic, and Black Puerto Rican history pervade his work at MoMA PS 1, with materials sourced from daily life.
Your Monday Briefing: China Reopens
Dining, January 8
Also, Brazilians storm government offices and the Times investigates a 2021 Kabul airstrike.
Looking for Elbow Room, Louvre Limits Daily Visitors to 30,000
Culture, January 6
With attendance surging back, the museum wants to offer “a moment of pleasure” — and relieve that Mona Lisa problem.
Your Thursday Briefing: China’s Snarled Covid Data
N Y T Now, December 14
Plus France just beat Morocco to advance to the World Cup finals.
After a Covid Contraction, Museums Are Expanding Again
Special Sections, October 20
Projects all over the country include renovations and new wings as institutions continue to bet on bricks and mortar.
San Francisco’s Art Market Struggles in the Shadow of Los Angeles
Culture, August 29
Though some small galleries are opening or expanding, the mega dealers have closed shop, a blow to an area with a vibrant artistic history.
Dmitri Vrubel, Who Planted a Kiss on the Berlin Wall, Dies at 62
Obits, August 19
A Russian-born painter, he created a mural of the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev smooching the East German leader Erich Honecker — and with it a tourist attraction.
Covid. A Coma. A Stroke. José Parlá Returns From the Edge.
Culture, July 31
After a lengthy recovery, the artist comes back with the most vigorous work he’s made: “It took me a really long time to understand what had happened to me.”
London Modern and Contemporary Auctions: A Market Minus the Froth
Culture, July 1
The prices — $36.9 million for Monet paintings, and $52.8 million for a Francis Bacon — show that even as Britain’s share of the global art market has decreased, it’s an important player.
Covid Memorials Offer a Place to Put Our Grief
Culture, May 5
From “anti-monuments” to ephemeral sand portraits, four art exhibitions encourage viewers to slow down and take stock of our pandemic losses.
Manhattan Springs Back to Life
Travel, May 5
Broadway enthusiasts, art aficionados and food lovers will find new offerings in and around Times Square and in neighborhoods below 42nd Street, heralding the promise of a vibrant recovery.