There’s an awkwardness to the big Lucian Freud exhibition that has arrived at the National Gallery. For a start, what is it doing at the National Gallery, occupying the same old master rooms occupied most recently by Raphael and before that by Titian? Freud (1922-2011) was a sizzling contemporary presence, no arguments there, but does […]
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Katy Hessel and Carolee Schneemann: the art you need to know about
Topic of the month on the art front has been: forgotten women. Until now, it has raged chiefly on the books pages, where an assortment of feisty tomes on the subject have been receiving excited reviews. Femina, by Janina Ramirez, is “writing women back into history” by listing and celebrating the undervalued heroines of the […]
How it all went wrong for Damien Hirst
I was thinking the other day about an art book I want to write. Its title would be: Art — How It All Turned to Shit. Every word in the book would be true. Playing a central role in the tragedy would be Damien Hirst. Among art critics working today, I do not believe Hirst has […]
Winslow Homer is America’s Michelangelo: he strikes terror into your heart
Winslow Homer and Michelangelo are two artists I never imagined I would pair in the same sentence, but a compelling show that has opened at the National Gallery has forced my hand. On the surface, they have zero in common. One was a universally acclaimed genius of the Renaissance, the other a 19th-century boat painter […]
The Queen’s Accession: prepare to swoon at the royal jewels
This display of the Queen’s treasures at Buckingham Palace will send arrows of desire thundering into everyone’s hearts
Lights, camera, art — I went to the galleries of the future
Money is being ploughed into ‘immersive’ experiences but are they any good? Our critic investigates at shows dedicated to Frida Kahlo and Van Gogh
Art lovers, make your way to a tiny but perfect exhibition
Behold the ultimate master of technique and celebrate his artistic genius
The Serpentine Gallery wants to save the planet — it’s a shame the art is so pitiful
It’s a good cause, but this gallery needs its artistic director to stop globe-trotting and get on his bicycle
Africa Fashion at the V&A: this shimmers, sparkles and delivers a collection of wows
Two shows about the black and African experience have opened — one joyous and uplifting, the other neurotic
The glue crew weren’t harnessing art but attacking it
Poor old art. Somewhere along the line it seems to have become the protest junkie’s victim of choice.