The sale far exceeded estimates, reflecting the continued strength of the top-tier art market. Pollock is renowned for his unique “drip painting” technique, and his works are highly sought after in the art market.

Art market experts note that this record-breaking sale demonstrates strong collector demand for 20th-century American abstract expressionist works.

New York’s Metropolitan Museum announced it will expand by merging with the nearby Neue Galerie, with an Estee Lauder heir transferring the gallery to the Met. The move represents the museum’s most significant expansion in recent years.

The 2026 Met Gala is about to begin in New York. Dubbed the Super Bowl of fashion, this year’s event carries the theme Fashion Is Art, with roughly 450 A-list guests expected to attend. Beyonce’s return as co-chair for the first time since 2016 is one of the biggest storylines of the night.

Details

Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams serve as this year’s co-chairs, with the dress code set as Fashion Is Art. The gala formally opens the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute spring exhibition, which will feature 400 outfits and objects spanning 5,000 years of history, running until January 2027.

Guests are invited to explore their relationship with fashion as an embodied art form and celebrate depictions of the dressed body throughout art history. Vogue has predicted that Baroque, Impressionist, or Renaissance-inspired looks could appear on the red carpet, with some stars possibly referencing specific classic paintings directly.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos are also listed as co-chairs and sponsors of this year’s event. The host committee includes Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Teyana Taylor, Lisa from Blackpink, Elizabeth Debicki, and Lena Dunham, under the leadership of Anthony Vaccarello and Zoe Kravitz.

Reactions

Bezos’s sponsorship has triggered calls for boycott from some quarters, with protest posters addressing labor rights and other issues appearing near the New York museum. Meanwhile, the Costume Institute exhibition serves as the department’s primary funding source, providing crucial financial support for museum operations each year.

Anna Wintour, the long-time chair of the Met Gala, continues to control the guest list and stylistic direction of the world’s most influential fashion social event.

Source: BBC News

On April 30, 2026, the entire jury of the Venice Biennale resigned just nine days before the inauguration of the prestigious art event, amid growing tensions over Russia’s return to the exhibition for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Resignation

In a brief statement, the jury said it was acting in accordance with its previous decision not to consider countries “whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity” for any prizes — meaning Russia and Israel would be excluded from prize consideration.

The Biennale showcases art from around the world in dozens of national pavilions. The awards ceremony, originally scheduled for May 9, has now been cancelled. Visitors will instead vote for their favourite pavilions.

Russia’s Return Sparks Political Firestorm

The Biennale has been at the centre of controversy for weeks. The dramatic announcement came the day after a delegation from Italy’s culture ministry visited Venice to gather information about the reopening of the Russian pavilion — a move that had already led the culture minister himself to declare a boycott of the event.

Earlier in April, the EU announced it was withdrawing a €2 million grant over Russia’s return to the Biennale, deeming it “morally wrong” as Moscow “seeks to erase Ukrainian culture” as part of its invasion.

The Biennale has previously stressed that it is open to everyone and “rejects any form of exclusion or censorship.” It argued that it could not bar Russia from participating in any case, as the country owns its pavilion.

Historical Context

In 2022, after Russia launched its war against Ukraine, the curator and artists involved in the Russian pavilion withdrew in protest against Vladimir Putin and his invasion, leaving the pavilion empty. In 2024, Russia handed the space over to Bolivia.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, alleging he is responsible for war crimes. Moscow has denied the allegations and labelled the warrants “outrageous.”

For Russia, appearing at the Venice Biennale again would represent a significant boost to the normalization it covets, even as its invasion of Ukraine continues to claim lives daily. Over the past four years, numerous Ukrainian museums and cultural heritage sites have been destroyed, art has been looted by invading troops, and hundreds of artists have been killed in the fighting.

Reactions

Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said allowing Russia to take part “is a decision not shared by the government.” However, she added that the Biennale was autonomous and its president “very capable.”

Italy’s culture ministry is believed to be investigating whether Russia’s return to the art fair violates any sanctions. This year, the Russian team is due to exhibit a sound performance called The Tree is Rooted in the Sky, although some reports have suggested public access might be restricted.

Israel’s foreign ministry previously commented that the decision to exclude the country from possible prizes was “a contamination of the art world.” In 2024, ICC judges issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defence minister.

Source: BBC News - Venice Biennale jury resigns days before start of exhibition