A first look at TEFAF Maastricht 2026
TEFAF Maastricht 2026, taking place March 14–19, will gather 276 dealers and galleries from 24 countries to exhibit paintings, works on paper, antiques, ancient art, jewelry, modern and contemporary art, design, and more. The European Fine Art Foundation has offered an advanced look at 43 of the works to be presented—which includes Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn’s Self-Portrait Frowning (1630), Paul Gauguin’s Bouquets et céramique sur une commode (1886), Claude Monet’s Landscape – Factories (Paysage-Usines) (c. 1858–61), and more. The work within the 39th edition of the fair will cover more than 7,000 years of art history.
Pierre-Yves Rochon refreshed the Four Seasons Hotel George V.
The Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris has completed a three-year renovation of all 243 rooms and suites—the first complete redesign since its 1999 reopening—under Pierre-Yves Rochon. The interior designer, who helmed the original aesthetic, reimagined the accommodations as a collection of Parisian residences rather than traditional hotel rooms. The refreshed spaces emphasize domesticity and Haussmannian elegance, with intuitive circulation, enhanced natural light from new French windows, vestibules, couture-inspired dressing rooms, libraries, and intimate dining areas, blending Louis XVI furniture, 19th-century artworks and contemporary pieces.
Herzog & de Meuron will enter the UAE with Janu Dubai.
Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron has unveiled Janu Dubai, a 1.3 million-square-foot tower in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Developed by H&H in partnership with Aman Group, the mixed-use structure combines a 150-room hotel with 57 branded residences, a private members’ club, offices, and retail. The sculpted, mineral-textured tower—with planted terraces, balconies, and outdoor “rooms in the sky”—is designed to contrast with Dubai’s glass skyline, emphasize shadow over reflection, and bring greenery into elevated living spaces.
Ruinart announced its next artist partner.
Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata has been announced as the 2026 selection for Ruinart’s “Conversations with Nature” program. Known for large-scale installations built from reclaimed wood, Kawamata’s contributions will unfold from an introduction at Palais de Tokyo in Paris this week to a first U.S. appearance at Frieze Los Angeles, followed by a global rollout—all before the partnership culminates with three in-situ installations in the Champagne region.
If recent sales are to be believed, Old Masters are back.
Recent Old Masters auctions in New York generated record-breaking results for works by Artemisia Gentileschi, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt, underscoring renewed interest in historic European art. At Christie’s, a self-portrait by Gentileschi of herself as Saint Catherine of Alexandria sold for a record $5.69 million, surpassing her previous auction high, while a newly rediscovered five-inch Michelangelo red-chalk drawing attributed to a study for the Sistine Chapel fetched $27.2 million, setting a new auction record for the Renaissance master. These standout results helped drive Christie’s Old Master Paintings sale to approximately $54.3 million, the strongest total in New York for over a decade, bringing rare and historically significant works—including newly surfaced or restituted pieces—into public view.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Gustaf Westman’s curling bowl for Olympic snacking.
Hermès introduced a $265K green leather pool table—and you can buy it with Apple Pay.
Dutch ceramic artist Bouke de Vries translated Dries Van Noten’s Soie Malaquais fragrance into sculptures.
Seattle built the world’s first light rail on a floating bridge.
