Peter Zumthor to Design the Beyeler Foundation’s Expansion
The Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has been selected to design the Beyeler Foundation’s upcoming expansion. The museum, which is located outside of Basel, Switzerland, was designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 1997. Zumthor, who was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2009, was chosen from a shortlist of eleven firms. The project is expected to cost upward of $80 million. Click here to continue reading (via Archdaily)

One of John Constable’s Best Known Works Goes on View at the Salisbury Museum
In 1831, John Constable finished a painting of the Salisbury Cathedral—a stunning Gothic edifice in Southern England. The artist had a strong emotional connection to the painting, which was completed a year after his wife’s death, as well as the town where it was created. Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows, which belongs to Tate Britain, is embarking on a five-year tour that will kick off at the Salisbury Museum. From there, it will make stops in Wales, Scotland and East Anglia. Click here to continue reading (via The Guardian)

Stolen  Old Master Paintings Return to Dutch Museum
Back in April, five paintings from the Dutch Golden Age were recovered in Ukraine. The masterpieces, which date back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, were stolen from the Westfries Museum in Hoorn, Netherlands, in 2005, and held for ransom by a far-right Ukrainian militia. Over twenty-four paintings were looted during the theft. On Friday, September 16, Ukrainian officials handed over the recently recovered works to the Netherlands. Click here to continue reading (via Reuters)

A New Bill Aims to Protect Art Loans to the U.S.
After years of debate, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act—a bill aimed at safeguarding artworks on loan to the United States for exhibitions. While the legislation is meant to encourage foreign countries to send important works abroad by assuaging fears that they will be seized, opponents believe that the Act could end up protecting looted artworks and artifacts. The current iteration of the bill exempts the descendents of the owners of works plundered during World War II as well as works seized from a targeted group by a foreign government after 1900. Click here to continue reading (via The New York Times)

The Waldorf Astoria’s New Owner Will Preserve Its Art Deco Interiors
In July, news broke that the Waldorf Astoria—an iconic luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan—would close in 2017 for a considerable renovation. The Art Deco landmark, which was bought by the Chinese holdings company Anbang Insurance Group Co. back in 2015, is expected to remain shuttered for around three years while more than three-quarters of the hotel’s 1,413 rooms are converted into high-end  condominiums. After preservationists repeatedly voiced their concerns over the future of the structure’s celebrated interiors, Anbang has agreed to work with the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission to carry out the project. Click here to continue reading (via Curbed NY)

Los Angeles’ Top Design Dealers Come Together for a Monumental Exhibition in New York
There’s nowhere quite like Los Angeles. Long known as the entertainment capital of the world, the sprawling and diverse metropolis has recently garnered attention for its rapidly growing design scene. While the cost of living continues to soar on the East Coast, an increasing number of artists are heading west, taking advantage of Los Angeles’ abundance of spacious (and relatively affordable) studios, as well as the city’s unique atmosphere—a result of its rich cultural past. Click here to continue reading (via InCollect)

Early Rembrandts Reunite at the Ashmolean Museum
Four early Rembrandt paintings have been reunited at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, for the first time in centuries. The works are part of the Dutch master’s “Five Senses” series, which was created between 1624 and 1625, when Rembrandt was still a teenager. One of the paintings was discovered in a cellar last year, while the final “Senses” painting remains missing and has not been seen in nearly 400 years. Click here to continue reading (via The Telegraph) 

Richard Attenborough’s Collection of Picasso Ceramics Heads to Auction
An important collection of ceramics by Pablo Picasso will head to auction at Sotheby’s on November 22 in London. The vases and earthenware belonged to the late English actor Richard Attenborough, who amassed an impressive collection of Picasso ceramics during his lifetime. Picasso’s experimentation with ceramics began in 1946, when he was introduced to the Madoura pottery workshop in France. During his career, Picasso produced several thousand ceramic works and continued to experiment with the medium until his death. Click here to continue reading (via The Guardian)

Experts at the Rijksmuseum Attribute Works to Dutch Master
Experts at the Rijksmuseum in The Netherlands have attributed six paintings to the Dutch master Hercules Segers. Segers, who was admired by Rembrandt, often painted mountainous landscapes using unconventional techniques. Prior to the recent authentication, art historians agreed that Segers created between ten and twelve paintings during his lifetime. A major exhibition dedicated to Segers and his work will open on October 7 at the Rijksmuseum. Click here to continue reading (via Artnet News)

Dealer Focus: Betsy Nathan, Founder of Pagoda Red
Once you step inside Pagoda Red, it’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of Chicago’s industrial West Town neighborhood. The spacious gallery, which includes a magnificent outdoor garden decorated with commanding stone sculpture and vessels, is brimming with exquisitely crafted Asian antiques, modern design, and fine art that spans centuries. Founded by Betsy Nathan, Pagoda Red is a favorite among collectors and interior designers thanks to its one-of-a-kind inventory. Click here to continue reading (via InCollect)

Architect David Adjaye: Designing the National Museum of African American History and Culture
The architect David Adjaye is realizing a dream project. At the end of this month, he will open the National Museum of African American History and Culture — the 12th and final Smithsonian museum on the National Mall — on five acres that were once home to a slave market, just beyond the White House. Personal experience, as well as historical memory, informs Adjaye’s architectural decisions. Throughout the museum, he strives for what he calls an “ease of navigation” — an idea 
he thinks about a lot. Click here to continue reading (via Art Info)

Manuel Rabaté Named Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi

Director of Agence France-Muséums Manuel Rabaté will be the first director of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Rabaté has been in his role at Agence France-Muséums, the governmental department charged with the development of the Louvre Abu Dhabi project, since 2013. Hissa Al Dhaheri, who hails from the United Arab Emirates and is currently a project manager for the development, has been appointed as his deputy. Click here to continue reading (via Artnet)

 

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Art Collection

Actors and art collectors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt amassed a collection estimated to be worth $25 million. Curious as to what they collected during their now dissolving marriage? Click here to continue reading (via Artnet)

 
Tate London Acquires Rare 17th-Century Portrait

The Tate has acquired a rare circa-1650s painting of an unknown woman, by Joan Carlile, thought to be Britain’s first professional female portrait painter. The earliest of Carlile’s works to enter the collection, it is also the earliest work by a woman artists to enter the museum. Click here to continue reading (via Hyperallergic)

 

The Broad Museum in LA hosts its 820,000 visitor in its Inaugural Year

Celebrating its first year of operation, the Broad Museum in LA welcomed its 820,000 visitor at the close of its inaugural year. Built by acclaimed architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the Broad houses the impressive collection of one of the nation’s most important arts patrons, Eli Broad. Click here to continue reading (via Art Info)

 

What Makes a Great Museum?

Branding and statement architecture are often seen by museum administrators as essential to attracting audiences. But what does the public want? The focus has shifted to visitor experience and making museums leisure destinations. As museums get bigger, the tension between intimacy and expansiveness becomes more difficult to resolve. In the article that follows, architects, curators, and artists share what they love about museums. Click here to continue reading (viaThe Art Newspaper)

 

Chairs by Architects

What distinguishes a chair designed by an architect rather than a furniture designer? Whey would an architect want to design a chair? These and many other ideas are explored in “Chairs by Architects” (Thames & Hudson). Click here to continue reading (via Hypoallergic)

 

Historic England to Protect Oscar Wilde’s Home and Others with Gay Heritage

The life stories of LGBTQ men and women who made historic contributions to society have often been ignored or underestimated. A new initiative, undertaken by Historic England and referred to as Pride of Place, is relisting (protecting) the homes of Oscar Wilde, Benjamin Britten, and Anne Lister, among others. Click here to continue reading (via The Guardian)

 

New York Art-Dealing Heir on Trial in Paris

Allegedly owing $621 million in taxes to the French authorities, the heir of a New York art-dealing empire, Guy Wildenstein, has appeared in a Paris court, potentially facing up to a decade in prison if convicted. What is considered one of the biggest tax fraud trials ever held in France, the taxes are from a family fortune estimated at more than $1 billion being hidden in offshore tax havens. Click here to continue reading (via CBSnews)

 

Evening Gowns at Windsor Castle

As part of a trilogy of special exhibits to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday year, visitors to Windsor Castle are now able to view “Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style from The Queen’s Wardrobe.” Among the attire on view in the Semi-State Apartments are evening gowns worn during State Visits and tours. The colors and decorative elements of the ensembles, created by notable designers, often include subtle messaging to compliment host countries. Some of The Queen’s childhood and celebratory outfits are also on display. Click here to continue reading (via Artdaily)

 

Albright-Knox Gallery Receives $42.5 Million Gift Resulting in a Name Change

When a gallery receives an infusion of $42.5 million, naturally the donor is recognized. In the instance of the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, New York, this comes in the form of a name change—to the Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum. Investor and art collector Jeffrey Gundlach, who has provided the funds in the form of a challenge grant, credits the Albright-Knox with “ . . . opening his eyes and mind to the endless possibilities of art . . . “  Click here to continue reading (via Artnews)

 

$4.5 Million Worth of Ivory Seized in New York

Following an undercover sting operation at the Metropolitan Fine Arts and Antiques store in New York City on September 22, three antiques dealers were arrested for selling ivory works of art without a license. This is the result of a 2014 law passed in the state to limit the ivory trade. The 126 objects will be destroyed.  Click here to continue reading (via The Art Newspaper)

 

The Collectible Car Market Bubble May be Deflating

The allure of fast cars and sleek lines will continue to attract enthusiasts, but the high-end consumer spending on classic vehicles may be waning. Indicators suggest that while the average auction prices were up last year, the overall volume of sales is falling, stoking fears of consumer spending in the luxury market may be softening. Click here to continue reading (via Bloomberg)

 

Egypt’s Mallawi Museum Reopens with Looted Collection Largely Restored

In 2013, looters entered the Mallawi Museum in Minia, Egypt, shot staff and a security guard, and absconded with or vandalized 1,000 objects from the collection. Information on the missing artifacts was distributed and in the ensuing years nearly all of the items have been returned. To aid in protecting the collections from future assaults, the museum has spent ￡864,000 in renovations, which include modern display cases, improved lighting, and security. Click here to continue reading (via The Art Newspaper)

 

Restoration of the Great Wall Causes Outrage in China

The Great Wall in China, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is the subject of much discontent after news has spread of botched restoration of a section dating back 700 years. This previously unrestored five-mile stretch, among its most beautiful, has had its towers knocked down and its wall paved over with a mixture of materials, now resembling a smoothed-over bike path. Click here to continue reading (via Bloomberg)