Giorgio Vasari, “Last Supper” (1546, detail), Santa Croce, Florence, (photo by ZEPstudio/Opera di Santa Croce)
Art Movements is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world.
Giorgio Vasari‘s “Last Supper” (1546) was returned to the Santa Croce Basilica following a conservation operation spearheaded by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, the Getty Foundation, Prada, and Protezione Civile. The painting was disassembled and put into storage for decades after it was severely damaged during the flood of the Arno in 1966.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum issued a statement condemning a conference sponsored by white nationalist Richard Spencer, the president and director of the National Policy Institute. At the conference — which was held blocks away from the museum — Spencer described the media as “lügenpresse” (lying media), a term frequently employed by the Nazis, and encouraged the audience to “hail” Donald Trump’s election. “America was — until this past generation — a white country, designed for ourselves and our posterity,” Spencer stated. “It is our creation, it is our inheritance, and it belongs to us.”
David Hockney was commissioned to design a stained glass window celebrating the Queen’s reign for Westminster Abbey.
W.A.G.E. (Working Artists and the Greater Economy) announced the development of WAGENCY, a coalition that aims to provide “working artists with the necessary agency to negotiate compensation or withhold content and services from institutions that refuse to pay them fees according to W.A.G.E. standards.”
Jeff Koons, “Bouquet of Tulips” (2016), polychromed bronze, stainless steel, and aluminum; sculpture dimensions: 34 ft 1 1/2 in, (38 ft 3 in with base); width: 27 ft 3/4 in; depth: 33 ft 4 3/8 in (image © Jeff Koons, courtesy Noirmontartproduction)
The Paris Foundation is looking to raise about $3.2 million for the production of “Bouquet of Tulips,” a new public artwork in Paris by Jeff Koons.
The New York Foundation for the Arts published a statement titled “In Support of Artists” in response to the presidential election.
Germany’s culture minister, Monika Grütters, confirmed that the government will financially support the Freie Universität Berlin’s research center for Nazi-era “degenerate art.”
Experts at the Stieglitz Art and Industry Academy in St. Petersburg completed their restoration of an 1896 Imperial portrait of Czar Nicolas II. The portrait was found on the reverse side of a 1924 portrait of Vladimir Lenin. The canvas will be displayed so that both sides can be seen.
A 10-by-65-foot stained glass mural of Vladimir Lenin will be exhibited at the NETZWERRK exhibition space during Art Basel Miami Beach. The work was commissioned by Erich Mielke for the Stasi’s headquarters in East Berlin. Art historian Thilo Holzmann recovered the work in perfect condition from a shipping container.
Richard Otfried Wilhelm, “Frieden unserem Erdenrund” (“Peace Around Our World,” 1979)
Transactions
Germany purchased Thomas Mann‘s California mansion for a reported $13.25 million following an online petition calling upon the government to save the home from demolition.
Andy Warhol‘s former studio at 159 East 87th Street was sold for $9.9 million. The seller, according to Real Deal, is Guy Wildenstein. The art dealer is currently on trial for tax evasion in France.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum acquired an illuminated manuscript by Mesrop of Xizan.
Artnet acquired the analytics firm Tutela Capital SA for an undisclosed sum.
LeBron James donated $2.5 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
An original plate from Hergé’s Explorers on the Moon (published 1954) was sold at Artcurial for €1.55 million (~$1.64 million), a record for a single-page Tintin comic strip.
Hergé (Georges Remi), plate from On a marché sur la Lune (Explorers on the Moon) (published 1954) (©Hergé/Moulinsart 2016)
Transitions
Jenni Lomax, the director of the Camden Arts Centre in London, will step down from her post in July 26. Lomax has been the director of the Centre for the last 26 years.
Dimitris Daskalopoulos and Nickol Hackett joined the MCA Chicago’s board of trustees.
Tessa Giblin was appointed director of the University of Edinburgh’s Talbot Rice Gallery.
Stefan Borchardt was appointed director of the Kunsthalle Emden.
Joseph Shatoff was appointed deputy director and chief operating officer at the Frick Collection.
Richard J. Urban was appointed digital asset manager and strategist at the Corning Museum of Glass.
The Sumida Hokusai Museum, a museum dedicated to the work of Katsushika Hokusai, opened in Tokyo.
The Institute de Monde Arabe opened a new branch in Tourcoing, in northern France.
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami will open its new space in the Miami Design District on December 1, 2017.
The Morgan Library & Museum launched its new website.
Accolades
The Pinchuk Art Center announced the shortlist for the 2017 Future Generation Art Prize.
Obituaries
Ruth Gruber, “Eklutna woman reading Life Magazine, Hooper Bay, Alaska” (1941–43) (© Ruth Gruber, courtesy International Center of Photography)
Anthony Bryer (1937–2016), Byzantinist.
Houston Conwill (1947–2016), sculptor.
Ruth Gruber (1911–2016), photojournalist and author.
Luke Herrmann (1932–2016), art historian.
Sharon Jones (1956–2016), soul and funk singer.
Milt Okun (1923–2016), producer. Founder of Cherry Lane Music Publishing.
William Trevor (1928–2016), novelist and playwright.
Shigeru Uchida (1943–2016), designer.
