Prado says Leonard-NO to Salvator Mundi
Madrid museum says painting is not a fully authenticated da Vinci
This newsletter was sent to subscribers on Friday 12 November 2021
Hello! How was your week?
I’ve had a busy one. The past few months I’ve looked after the press campaign for the major exhibition Peru: a journey in time at the British Museum and it’s been great to see it culminate in a massive turn out for the press view, as well as incredible reviews! The exhibition - which features over 40 remarkable ancient objects on loan from Peru - received five stars from the Guardian, and the i called it an “exceptional show of outstanding treasures.” You can’t ask for more. I might be biased, but I urge you to visit as it’s now open.
But not before reading this week’s news, so read on!
Maxwell
This week’s top story
Asia’s largest contemporary art gallery - twice the size of London’s Tate Modern - opens today after more than a decade in the making. Hong Kong’s M+ has been one of the most significant museum projects on the planet since it was conceived. It boasts 17,000 square meters of exhibition space, 33 galleries and over 6,400 works in its collection, ranging from modern and contemporary art to architecture and moving images. Its striking building is designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. M+ aims to put Asia on the global map for art. ABC News
But it opens its doors while facing the challenge of censorship. The imposition of a sweeping national security law by China last year has cast a shadow over the opening according to Reuters. The New York Times reports that yesterday’s preview saw officials swerving “between trying to redirect visitors’ attention and addressing the political concerns head-on.” They also report that “Even before the opening, pro-Beijing figures criticized pieces in the M+ collection as an insult to China” and that “Officials have promised to scrutinize every exhibition for illegal content.” Speaking to Bloomberg, artist Ai Weiwei, whose works in the M+ collection are part of the censorship battle, said “It is not possible for a museum to survive without the freedom of speech.” As CNN states, the question for those (many thousands) visiting M+ this weekend “may not only be what is on display, but what is not.”
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This week’s other stories
I cannot tell you how delighted I am at this news: the UK Government has thrown out plans for the 305-metre-and-truly-terrible Tulip tower in London. Ministers cited the impact it would have on the Tower of London (although no mention of the impact it would have on people with eyes and taste) and the decision was welcomed by Historic England. Hopefully this marks a turning point on the recent trashing of London’s skyline. The Guardian
The Salvator Mundi - the world’s most expensive painting ICYMI - is not by Leonardo da Vinci according to the Prado. While it was sold for $450m at Christie’s as a fully authenticated Leonardo in 2017, it’s been downgraded by curators at the Madrid museum. In a publication for a current Mona Lisa show, it’s been put in the category of works that are attributed to, or authorised or supervised by the artist. The Prado decision represents the most critical response from a leading museum since the famous sale. The Art Newspaper
Speaking of the Prado, a new exhibition of some of its masterpieces have just gone on display in a metro station in Shanghai. Ok, ok they’re replicas. But I like how they replicate them frames and all, and hang them like they are proper paintings. Time Out Shanghai
HRH the Duchess of Cambridge officially opened the brand new Second World War and Holocaust Galleries at Imperial War Museum London this week, to coincide with Remembrance Day. She also visited the exhibition Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors which features two portraits she took herself. The subjects of the photos are two Holocaust survivors, who were also present at the event. Marie Claire
The Boat Race trophies are now on public display for the very first time. As Cambridge Uni are the current champions of both the men's and women's race, they can be seen at the Fitzwilliam Museum until March when the titles will be competed for again. Varsity
Stephen Merchant’s BBC drama The Outlaws had its final episode released this week, and a scene saw Hollywood star Christopher Walken paint over a Banksy artwork as part of his character’s community service. It turns out it was an original Banksy that has now effectively been destroyed. BBC News
A contemporary art exhibition has opened in a new dedicated gallery in the Vatican Apostolic Library, which is normally only accessible to scholars. It was inaugurated by the Pope who said “the Church must bear witness to the importance of beauty.” Catholic News Agency
It’s skateboarders vs the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin right now. The newly reopened gallery has banned the sport on the venue’s paved terrace that’s long been popular with skateboarders. The gallery say the terrace’s sculptures - by Henry Moore and Alexander Calder - have suffered damage on their plinths from wheels. But the skateboarding community is fighting back with a petition, and the German media have their back. The Art Newspaper
Love art, museums and galleries? Then this newsletter is for you. It will keep you up-to-date on the latest news and trends from the museum world. Subscribe below (it’s free!)