Contemporary Front page
> TELEPHONE US 212.355.5710
Menu
Christie’s Paris Old Masters Sale
An 18th century still-life painting of a sliced melon on a table surrounded by various other objects.

Christie’s Paris Old Masters Sale

Normally, there wouldn’t be much to write about for the Old Masters sale at Christie’s in Paris on Wednesday, June 12th. However, when looking at all the numbers, something might seem a bit confusing. Nearly 40% of the lots went … More…

Van Gogh Painting Returns Home
A post-Impressionist night scene showing stars shining over a river.

Van Gogh Painting Returns Home

There are two paintings by Vincent van Gogh popularly known as The Starry Night. Van Gogh created the more famous of the two in 1889 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. For over 80 years, it has been part of the permanent collection of … More…

This Past Week In Art World Lawsuits
An abstract, grafitti-like portrait showing a crowned head against a black background on a piece of cardboard

This Past Week In Art World Lawsuits

These past few days, the art world has been abuzz with lawsuits, with those involved ranging from museums, auction houses, art schools, and proper criminals. OMA Responds to Former Director’s Countersuit On Monday, June 3rd, the Orlando Museum of Art … More…

Christie’s Controversy Over Renault Auction
An abstract painting of white, black, red, and blue lines on an irregularly shaped board.

Christie’s Controversy Over Renault Auction

On Thursday, June 6th, Christie’s Paris hosted a small sale featuring a collection of twentieth-century artworks owned by the French auto manufacturer Renault. The company began building its collection in 1967, reaching out to artists to buy and commission pieces … More…

Houston Museum Keeps Nazi Loot
a village town scene

Houston Museum Keeps Nazi Loot

One of the first stories I ever covered back in 2021 was about an eighteenth-century cityscape central to a heated restitution dispute. Marketplace at Pirna by the Venetian painter Bernardo Bellotto is currently housed at the Museum of Fine Arts … More…

Embracing the Tranquility of Spring: Andrew Orr’s “Softly Falls the Light of Day”
A serene spring evening in Vermont, depicted in a 9x12 inch oil painting on panel by Andrew Orr. The sun sets between the mountains, casting a golden glow on the trees and grass. The sky transitions from yellow to orange, pink to purple, with shadows dancing on the green landscape.

Embracing the Tranquility of Spring: Andrew Orr’s “Softly Falls the Light of Day”

As the vibrant hues of spring infuse the world with renewed vitality, there emerges an artwork that encapsulates the serene beauty of nature’s awakening. Softly Falls the Light of Day, a captivating painting by artist Andrew Orr, beckons viewers on … More…

Rediscovered Degas Worth $13 Million?
A pastel drawing of a red-headed woman powdering her face.

Rediscovered Degas Worth $13 Million?

In an extraordinary find, a drawing bought online for about $1,000 has been identified as an original drawing by the great Impressionist master Edgar Degas. In a remarkable turn of events, an anonymous buyer browsing the Spanish online auction site … More…

Gustave Courbet’s Revolutionary Life (In 5 Paintings)
A painting of two men, one young and the other old, breaking rocks with hammers at the side of a country road.

Gustave Courbet’s Revolutionary Life (In 5 Paintings)

How did Gustave Courbet, a bohemian, revolutionary communard, lay some of the groundwork for modern art? I’ve written several times about the origins of modern art. Specifically, I enjoy looking into the lives of modernism’s progenitors, those artists who helped … More…

UArts Abruptly Announces Closure
The neoclassical façade of Philadelphia's University of the Arts

UArts Abruptly Announces Closure

On May 31st, Philadelphia’s University of the Arts announced that it would be closing after more than one hundred fifty years in operation. The University of the Arts (UArts) was founded in 1876 as the Pennsylvania Museum and School of … More…

The May Marquee Sales – An Overview
A silkscreen print showing red and orange flowers against a green grass background.

The May Marquee Sales – An Overview

The May Marquee Sales, a significant series of auctions that spotlighted the New York art market earlier this month, have concluded. This event marked a crucial period in the art market, spanning a whole week and featuring eleven sales between … More…

Hockney Catalogue Raisonné By 2026
A photograph of David Hockney

Hockney Catalogue Raisonné By 2026

Compiling a catalogue raisonné while the artist in question is still alive is a relatively recent phenomenon in academic art history. Scholars often published their catalogues for well-known historical artists decades or centuries after their deaths. Rehs Galleries began research … More…

New Works: Stuart Dunkel – A Celebration Of Whimsy And Mastery
A painting by Stuart Dunkel titled 'Import' featuring Chuckie the mouse perched on top of a block of Swiss cheese, holding a piece and taking a bite.

New Works: Stuart Dunkel – A Celebration Of Whimsy And Mastery

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of several new works by Stuart Dunkel, one of our gallery’s most beloved and best-selling contemporary artists. Known for his playful and beautifully detailed paintings, Stuart Dunkel’s latest collection continues to captivate and … More…

Celebrating Hammond’s Latest Works: Porteur du Flambeau and A Day in LA
"Porteur du Flambeau" by Hammond, a vibrant geometric abstract painting featuring bold, colorful shapes interlocking and overlapping on a 36 x 24 inch acrylic canvas

Celebrating Hammond’s Latest Works: Porteur du Flambeau and A Day in LA

We are thrilled to announce the addition of two stunning new pieces by Hammond. Known for his vibrant exploration of subconscious creativity and emotional expression, Hammond’s latest works, Porteur du Flambeau and A Day in LA, are perfect examples of … More…

Rediscovering The Past: Timothy W. Jahn’s “Forgotten Reflections”
Timothy Jahn's "Forgotten Reflections" an interior study scene

Rediscovering The Past: Timothy W. Jahn’s “Forgotten Reflections”

In the realm of contemporary art, the unveiling of a new masterpiece is often met with a blend of anticipation and curiosity. Such is the case with Timothy W. Jahn’s latest work, Forgotten Reflections. This oil on canvas painting, completed … More…

Bonhams Skinner European Art
A pencil and watercolor sketch of a nude woman

Bonhams Skinner European Art

While the Sotheby’s Old Masters sales may have drawn many people’s attention on Wednesday, some of the more exciting auction action was going on up in Massachusetts at Bonhams Skinner. On Wednesday, they hosted their European art sale, consisting of … More…

Gatling Gun Shoots Past Estimate
All-original, high-condition US Army-purchased Colt Model 1875 ‘Long Model’ Gatling gun on original field carriage in display case. One of 44 such guns purchased by the Army. Serial #130

Gatling Gun Shoots Past Estimate

The Gatling gun, invented by Richard Gatling in the 1860s, marked a significant advancement in firearm technology due to its innovative design featuring multiple rotating barrels. It is regarded as one of the earliest practical machine guns and was actually … More…