Daily Art Download

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Yoko Ono’s most famous performance art piece cuts both ways in Los Angeles
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/21/yoko-ono-cut-piece-mpa-redcat-broad-los-angeles
Comment | How much can one artist take from another before it is copyright infringement?
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/21/when-is-appropriation-pastiche-or-copyright-infringement
E.U. Withdraws Venice Biennale Funding Over Russia’s Return
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/eu-cancels-venice-biennale-funding-2789489
At the Art + Tech Summit, Christie’s Pins Its Future on AI Billionaires Who Aren’t Buying Art… Yet
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/christies-art-tech-summit-2026-ai-wealth-art-market-1234793113/
‘Do You Love America?’: Smithsonian Museum Leader Grilled Over Gender, Diversity, Patriotism at Congressional Hearing
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/smithsonian-museum-leader-us-congressional-hearing-1234793035/
The Art Institute of Chicago to Cut Its Entire Custodial Staff
https://hyperallergic.com/the-art-institute-of-chicago-to-cut-its-entire-custodial-staff/
Long-Lost Artworks by Chilean Muralist Julio Escámez Are Slowly Being Uncovered and Restored
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/long-lost-art-by-chilean-muralist-julio-escamez-restoration-1234793027/
Trump-Backed Federal Council Aims to Reduce Protections of Historic Sites
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/trump-backed-federal-council-aims-to-reduce-protections-of-historic-sites-1234792998/
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Is Free
https://hyperallergic.com/luis-manuel-otero-alcantara-is-free/
Is Italy’s Famed Ancient ‘Warrior of Capestrano’ a Mussolini-Backed Fake?
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/warrior-of-capestrano-icon-ancient-italian-heritage-mussolini-backed-fake-1234792883/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Renovation of Bolivia's national archaeology museum gives repatriated treasures pride of place
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/20/museo-nacional-arqueologia-bolivia-renovation-repatriated-saphi-mummy-illa-statue
Head of V&A’s academic programmes resigned citing ‘racist’ and ‘culturally insensitive’ behaviours, letter reveals
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/20/head-of-victoria-albert-museum-academic-programmes-resigned-citing-racist-and-culturally-insensitive-behaviours-letter-reveals
Union threatens strike action over working conditions in Venice museums due to extreme temperatures
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/20/union-threatens-strike-action-over-working-conditions-in-venice-museums-due-to-extreme-temperatures
Monumental Mural Erased by Pinochet Reemerges in Chile After 50 Years
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/julio-escamez-mural-pinochet-restoration-2789137
New Museum's Shiny New Building Leaks During Flash Floods
https://hyperallergic.com/new-museums-shiny-new-building-leaks-during-flash-floods/
New York Gallery The Hole Sued by Artists for Nearly $50,000 in Outstanding Payments
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-york-gallery-the-hole-sued-by-artists-outstanding-payments-1234792800/
Christine Borland, Artist Who Researched Histories of Science and Medicine, Dies at 60
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/christine-borland-research-artist-dead-1234792817/
Cuban Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Exiled to the US
https://hyperallergic.com/cuban-artist-luis-manuel-otero-alcantara-exiled-to-the-us/
Activists Sue to Stop Frida Kahlo Works From Leaving Mexico
https://hyperallergic.com/activists-sue-to-stop-frida-kahlo-works-from-leaving-mexico/
Trump Whitewashes George Washington’s Slavery History in New Display
https://hyperallergic.com/trump-whitewashes-george-washingtons-slavery-history-in-new-display/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Edward Church, Peter Hujar, Looted Art
https://hyperallergic.com/edward-church-peter-hujar-looted-art/
Leaks Spotted in New Museum Gallery with WangShui Work as NYC Braces for Floods
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-museum-leaks-closure-flash-floods-wangshui-work-1234792787/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
A de Kooning Homecoming! Rijksmuseum Preps Blockbuster
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/de-kooning-rijksmuseum-2788860
A New Culture Crackdown in Hong Kong—and Other Art Matters
https://news.artnet.com/artnet-bulletin/hong-kong-bookseller-arrests-other-art-matters-2788711
Ana Mendieta’s True Legacy Takes Flight at Tate Modern
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ana-mendieta-tate-modern-2788289
Whereabouts of Cuban artist-activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara remain unknown following end of prison sentence
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/17/whereabouts-of-cuban-artist-activist-luis-manuel-otero-alcantara-remain-unknown-following-end-of-prison-sentence
Italy returns 27 historical objects to Mexico after investigations by art hit squad
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/17/italy-returns-27-historical-objects-to-mexico-after-investigations-by-art-hit-squad
Shanghai Auction Executives Sentenced in Major Fraud Case as Industry Scrutiny Intensifies
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/shanghai-auction-executives-sentenced-in-major-fraud-case-1234792736/
Congressional Representatives Introduce New Bill to Protect Public Artworks in Government Buildings
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-bill-protect-public-artworks-government-buildings-1234792754/
A Mural at Ancient City of Calakmul May Be the Oldest Known Image of Maya Hero Juun Ajaw
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/painting-at-calakmul-may-be-of-maya-mythical-hero-juun-ajaw-1234792541/
How the Surrealists Psyopped the Gestapo and Otherwise Fought Fascism
https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/aia-reviews/surrealism-antifascism-in-the-very-bowels-of-change-modern-warsaw-dali-picasso-1234792418/
Zendaya’s Earrings Are Part of a Much Bigger Problem
https://hyperallergic.com/zendayas-earrings-are-part-of-a-much-bigger-problem/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Detroit Institute of Arts director finds missing Velázquez painting
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/16/detroit-institute-of-arts-director-finds-missing-velazquez-painting
Bavaria Revamps Procedures for Evaluating Restitution Claims for Nazi-Looted Art
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/bavaria-revamp-procedures-restitution-nazi-looted-art-1234792420/
Welcome to the Society of the Psyop
https://news.artnet.com/multimedia/trevor-paglen-society-of-the-psyop-2784007
US congress introduces bill to protect public art in federal buildings targeted by Trump administration
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/16/us-congress-introduces-bill-to-protect-public-art-in-federal-buildings-targeted-by-trump-administration
Manhattan District Attorney Repatriates Three Antiquities to Mexico
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/manhattan-district-attorney-repatriation-mexico-1234792453/
UK Politicians Call For Investigation of British Museum’s Removal of ‘Palestine’ from Display
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/uk-politicians-call-for-investigation-of-british-museums-removal-of-palestine-from-display-1234792435/
New Lawsuit Alleges Stolen Pierre Soulages Painting Sold at Christie’s as Part of Weis Collection
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/pierre-soulages-allegedly-stolen-weis-collection-christies-1234792426/
Trump Shrinks Utah National Monuments by 90%
https://hyperallergic.com/trump-shrinks-utah-national-monuments-by-90/
Steidl, the Art World’s Go-To Photobook Publisher, Faces Insolvency Proceedings in Germany
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/steidl-the-art-worlds-go-to-photobook-publisher-faces-insolvency-proceedings-in-germany-1234792400/
A New Perspective on Munch’s Famous Frieze, How NYC’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit Transformed the Art Market: Morning Links for July 16, 2026
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/a-new-perspective-on-munchs-famous-frieze-how-nycs-antiquities-trafficking-unit-transformed-the-art-market-morning-links-for-july-16-2026-1234792361/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
V&A reveals 2027 exhibitions, ranging from South Asian contemporary art and textiles to punk music and fashion
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/15/va-reveals-2027-exhibition-programming-ranging-from-south-asian-contemporary-art-and-textiles-to-punk-music-and-fashion
Christie’s and Sotheby’s 2026 half year results: trophy lots and luxury goods fuel rebound
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/15/trophy-lots-and-luxury-goods-fuel-rebound-for-christies-and-sothebys-2026-half-year-results
Bavaria approves creation of Nazi loot panel and independent entity for provenance research
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/15/bavaria-approves-creation-of-nazi-loot-panel-and-independent-entity-provenance-research
A Rousing Tate Modern Retrospective Refuses to Reduce Ana Mendieta to a Tragic Figure
https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/aia-reviews/tate-modern-retrospective-ana-mendieta-1234792240/
Why Do So Many Museums Hold a Convicted Antiquity Dealer’s Treasures?
https://hyperallergic.com/why-do-so-many-museums-hold-a-convicted-antiquity-dealers-treasures/
Bacteria Linked to Legionnaires’ Disease Detected at Metropolitan Museum of Art
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/bacteria-legionnaires-disease-metropolitan-museum-of-art-1234792234/
Cape Town Gallery Accused of Withholding Pay and Artworks
https://hyperallergic.com/cape-town-gallery-accused-of-withholding-pay-and-artworks/
At Management Gallery, Grotesque Art Evolves for the Doomscroll Era
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/reviews/at-management-gallery-grotesque-art-evolves-for-the-doomscroll-era-1234792218/
Jacolby Satterwhite Receives Inaugural Artists Living With Cancer Grant From Rema Hort Mann Fund and Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/artists/jacolby-satterwhite-artists-living-with-cancer-grant-rema-hort-mann-fund-1234792252/
Fresh Insights into China’s Famed Sanxingdui Illuminate Ancient Trade Networks
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/chinese-bronze-assembled-from-pieces-1234792249/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Sotheby’s Posts $4.4 Billion in First-Half Sales, a New Record
https://news.artnet.com/market/sothebys-h1-sales-2787726
Sotheby’s $50.1 M. T. Rex Sale Sets New Record as Scientists Scowl
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/sothebys-gus-t-rex-record-50-million-dinosaur-auction-1234792060/
Robert Rauschenberg foundation donates three sculptures to shared Tate and National Galleries of Scotland collection
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/14/robert-rauschenberg-foundation-donates-three-sculptures-to-joint-tate-and-national-galleries-of-scotland-collection
Roberta Smith Made Kenny Schachter Cry. Twice. And He Still Sings Her Praises
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/roberta-smith-house-of-criticism-review-2787686
For Michael Asher, the Museum Was the Medium
https://hyperallergic.com/for-michael-asher-the-museum-was-the-medium/
Why The Met Returned a Roman Bust
https://hyperallergic.com/why-the-met-returned-a-roman-bust/
Man Charged in Theft of More Than 600 Artifacts from UK’s Bristol Museum
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/bristol-museum-heist-man-charged-1234792076/
Superblue Teams Up With Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre to Bring Immersive Art to Mumbai
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/superblue-nita-mukesh-ambani-cultural-centre-second-nature-1234792119/
Meet the Doyennes of Ecosexuality
https://hyperallergic.com/meet-the-doyennes-of-ecosexuality/
Dealer Dominique Lévy Says She Received Death Threats After Denouncing Post–October 7 Letter in Artforum
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/dominique-levy-october-7-death-threats-artforum-letter-1234792057/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
New York Investigators Return $600,000 Worth of Looted Art—and More Art Industry News
https://news.artnet.com/market/paint-drippings-art-industry-news-jul-13-2787586
Australia’s Museum of Old and New Art Plans Bangkok Branch
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/museum-of-old-and-new-art-bangkok-outpost-2787630
Ana Mendieta’s ‘Neolithic art’ recreated for major Tate Modern survey
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/13/ana-mendietas-neolithic-art-recreated-for-major-tate-modern-survey
Nazi-Looted Painting Found Decades Ago Among Amsterdam’s Street Trash Will Be Returned to Jewish Dealer’s Heirs
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/nazi-looted-painting-jacques-goudstikker-returned-1234792013/
High Museum of Art’s Former COO Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $600,000
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/high-museum-art-former-coo-guilty-embezzling-1234791968/
A Convicted Antiquities Dealer’s Web
https://hyperallergic.com/a-convicted-antiquities-dealers-web/
Where Is Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara?
https://hyperallergic.com/where-is-luis-manuel-otero-alcantara/
Louvre Jewel Heist Suspects Claim ‘Mysterious Sponsor’ Recruited Them
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/louvre-jewel-heist-suspects-claim-sponsor-recruited-them-1234791929/
Should We See Peter Hujar’s Contact Sheets?
https://hyperallergic.com/should-we-see-peter-hujars-contact-sheets/
EU Commission Recommends Cancelation of Venice Biennale Grant over Russian Pavilion
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/eu-commission-cancelation-venice-biennale-grant-russia-1234791923/

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Meet 5 Midwestern Artists From the Artnet Gallery Network
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/midwestern-artists-gallery-network-2785585

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news.
Results at the Big Three Auction Houses Tell Two Different Stories
https://news.artnet.com/market/mid-year-review-auctions-2787320
Magritte, Constable, Trump's Smithsonian Wrath
https://hyperallergic.com/magritte-constable-trumps-smithsonian-wrath/