Influential gallerist Marian Goodman has died at 97.
On January 22, Marian Goodman, the celebrated gallerist and founder of the Marian Goodman Gallery, died at age 97. Over her decades-long career she was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in contemporary art, introducing many major European and international artists and shaping the global art world through her dedication to her thoughtful exhibition programming. Goodman’s gallery, which opened in Manhattan in 1977 and later expanded to Paris and Los Angeles, leaves behind a legacy of artist relationships, institutional engagement, and a humanistic approach to art.
Ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics, a hidden Leonardo da Vinci mural welcomes visitors.
Open for an advanced preview from February 7 to March 14, during the 2026 Winter Olympics, a long-hidden Leonardo da Vinci mural inside the Sala delle Asse at Sforza Castle is currently under restoration. The unfinished wall and ceiling painting—with origins dating back to 1498—has only recently been authenticated as da Vinci’s work. Visitors will be allowed to climb scaffolding to view it up close, before the site closes again for 18 more months. Alongside the limited viewing, the castle is also presenting an exhibition on the artist’s students and followers, highlighting his enduring influence on Milan’s artistic heritage.
A bottle of 1982 Old Rip Van Winkle set a new American whiskey price record.
A 1982 bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 20-Year-Old Single Barrel “Sam’s” bourbon sold at Sotheby’s New York for $162,500, making it the most expensive bottle of American whiskey ever sold at auction. Only 60 hand-numbered bottles of this high-proof release were ever produced. The sale was part of The Great American Whiskey Collection auction, which brought in $2.5 million total, far exceeding expectations. The record-setting result highlights growing global interest in rare American whiskey as a collectible category.
Saudi Arabia pares back the NEOM megacity plans.
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity project is being scaled back and redesigned amidst budget pressures, delays, and strategic reassessment. The kingdom is shifting NEOM’s focus from futuristic urbanism toward practical industrial and technological uses, including supporting A.I. data centers, while major components such as The Line linear city and the year-round Trojena ski resort are being downsized or reconsidered. This pivot reflects broader financial and planning recalibrations under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, as Saudi leadership prioritizes sustainable value and national economic objectives over the original ambitions.
Jonathan Anderson has debuted his first Dior couture collection.
Jonathan Anderson’s first haute couture collection for Dior, presented at the Musée Rodin in Paris, combined ethereal fabrics and sculptural forms to reframe the maison’s classic codes. Drawing inspiration from a bouquet of cyclamens gifted by former Dior director John Galliano, nature-inspired motifs, chiffons and organzas, and striking florals brought a fresh sensibility to the collection.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Both masterful and fantastical, Schiaparelli introduces haute couture scorpion tails.
Designed by John Pawson, the first Claridge’s Bakery opened in Mayfair.
Travis Scott commands attention in the new trailer for “The Odyssey.”
Toronto’s Trevor McIvor Architect imagined the “Heated Rivalry” escape that has everyone saying “I’m coming to the cottage.”
