Ancient art

Rare Michelangelo study for Sistine Chapel sold at Christie's: record

New world record for a work by Michelangelo at auction: it happened at Christie's in New York, where a rare study for the Libyan Sibyl from the Sistine Chapel sold for $27.2 million (23.10 million euros). And to think that this figure was the result...
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World record for Artemisia Gentileschi: her self-portrait exceeds 5.6 million at Christie's

New world record for Artemisia Gentileschi. At Christie' s auction on Feb. 4, theSelf-Portrait as St. Catherine of Alexandria fetched a price of $5,687,000 (4.8 million euros), more than doubling the minimum estimate and marking the highest result ev...
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Genoa, start of conservation work on the First Book of Ceremonies of the Rolli of Genoa

In Genoa , theconservation intervention on the First Book of Ceremonies of the Palazzi dei Rolli, one of the most significant documents for the reconstruction of the public life and reception system of the city between the late 16th century and the f...
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National Gallery of Washington acquires Artemisia Gentileschi's Magdalene

The National Gallery of Art in Washington has announced the acquisition of Magdalene in Ecstasy, a rare painting made around 1625 by Artemisia Gentileschi (Rome, 1593 - Naples, post-1654). The work, considered by scholars to be one of the pinnacles o...
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Rembrandt, a record-breaking lion: it is his most valuable drawing ever sold at auction

A drawing by Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden, 1606 - Amsterdam, 1669) depicting a young lion has made art market history by becoming the Dutch artist's most expensive work on paper ever sold at auction. The sheet, known as Young lion resting ("Young lion...
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Calvi dell'Umbria, Chiomenti Vassalli Collection once again open to visitors

At the Ursuline Monastery Museum in Calvi dell'Umbria (Terni), one of the most significant art collections preserved in a small Italian town is preparing to reopen to the public. Starting in March 2026, the museum will once again house the Chiomenti ...
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Restoration of Colantonio's St. Francis ends: panel returns to Capodimonte Museum

The return after restoration of Colantonio's Saint Francis Delivering the Rule to the Franciscan Orders, datable to between 1444 and 1450, marks the symbolic start of the initiatives that the Capodimonte Museum and Real Bosco dedicates in 2026 to the...
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Altenberg Madonna enters Städel Museum: a historic acquisition for the museum

One of the most important acquisitions in the history of the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, a watershed moment for the knowledge and enjoyment ofmedieval art in Germany: thus was presented this morning the acquisition of the Madonna and Child Enthr...
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Milan, restoration of Paliotto dei Santi for the Golden Altar of St. Ambrose begins

In Milan , the project to restore the 15th-century Paliotto dei Santi for theGolden Altar of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, one of the most relevant elements of the artistic and liturgical heritage of the Lombard capital, has begun. The intervention ...
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Parma, Giulio Carlini's Luisa Maria di Berry returns on display at the National Gallery after restoration

The painting Luisa Maria di Berry and Roberto di Borbone, painted in 1856 by Giulio Carlini (Venice 1826-1887), is now back on public view after restoration in the halls of the National Gallery of the Monumental Complex of the Pilotta in Parma. The i...
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A 67,800-year-old handprint found in Indonesia rewrites the history of rock art

The discovery of a stencil in the shape of a hand inside a cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia, has revolutionized knowledge about rock art, proving to be the oldest ever dated: at least 67,800 years old. The research, conducted by an international team led ...
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A Roman torso that was in the collection of Stefano Bardini: David Aaron brings it to Tefaf

There will be an important Roman torso linked to the collecting of Stefano Bardini at the 2026 edition of TEFAF Maastricht, scheduled for March 14-19, 2026 in the Dutch city. Bringing this work is London-based David Aaron Gallery, which, at booth 804...
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Very rare Renaissance drawing by Hans Baldung Grien discovered: goes to auction

A major event for the art market and for the history of Renaissance drawing is being prepared in Paris. On Monday, March 23, 2026, at theHôtel Drouot, the auction house Beaussant Lefèvre & Associés, in collaboration with the B...
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On the scaffolding of the Hall of Axes: Leonardo da Vinci's building site opens to the public

A rare occasion, intended for the few and capable of restoring a view normally reserved for insiders. At Milan's Castello Sforzesco , to coincide with the period of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games , the Sala delle Asse exceptional...
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A very rare self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi stars at Christie's auction

A masterpiece by Artemisia Gentileschi (Rome, 1593 - Naples, post-1654) is preparing to return to the international market spotlight. In fact, on February 4, 2026, Christie' s is offering the 17th-century painter'sSelf-Portrait as Saint Catherine of ...
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Spoleto, restored the crypt of San Primiano

Spoleto rediscovers one of its oldest and most meaningful places with the presentation this afternoon of the end of the restoration of the crypt of San Primiano, located inside the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. The restoration work on th...
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