May 2024 Art News

As spring settles in, another Met Gala has come and gone. However, this year’s annual benefit sparked some conversations challenging celebrity-watch culture amidst a time of serious political strife. How did what was once referred to as the “Oscars for the East Coast” suddenly amass this squabble? 

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Independent returns to Spring Studios in Tribeca—New York’s liveliest arts district—for the 2024 edition of the art fair, featuring works by more than 130 artists presented by over 85 galleries and nonprofits.

A small painting depicting Jesus in a crown of thorns before crucifixion will go on view at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid (The Prado Museum) by the end of the month. Valued at around €1,500 by a Madrid auction house in 2021, the piece was originally thought to be from the “circle of José de Ribera,” a 17th century Spanish painter. However, experts didn’t let the painting remain in the catalog for very long. 

An unidentifiable object has been recovered from a Roman excavation site in England and is now being put on display at the National Civil War Centre, Newark Museum in Nottinghamshire. This mysterious artifact, known as the dodecahedron– named for its twelve, pentagon-shaped sides– is the 33rd to be found in the 1700 or so years since their creation. 

Once known for her stylized portraits of the wealthy and famous, a musical about the life of Polish Art Deco painter, Lempicka, has secured three nominations since premiering on Broadway early last month.

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