The Met’s new Raphael exhibition is the Italian Renaissance artist’s first definitive survey in the U.S.
The Met’s blockbuster new exhibition “Raphael: Sublime Poetry” brings together more than 200 works in the most comprehensive U.S. show on the Renaissance master, reexamining his career across Urbino, Florence, and Rome. Rather than focus solely on idealized images of the Madonna and Christ Child, the exhibition reframes Raphael as a more complex artist—highlighting his creative process, broader subject matter, and evolving treatment of figures. By pairing major paintings with preparatory drawings and rarely seen works, the show offers a deeper, more nuanced view of Raphael’s practice and challenges long-standing perceptions of his serene, perfected style.
Rockefeller Center introduces a sculpture by German-Iranian artist Bettina Pousttchi.
Rockefeller Center has unveiled Vertical Highways V03 (2025), a monumental sculpture by German-Iranian artist Bettina Pousttchi, on view in the Channel Gardens from March 18–April 17. Constructed from reconfigured highway guardrails, the work transforms everyday infrastructure into a striking vertical form, drawing on Minimalism and Duchamp’s readymades while evoking movement and shifting urban boundaries.
The lime-based walls of Bergamo’s first 3D-printed airport building capture carbon.
At Milan Bergamo Airport in Italy, a new service building dubbed “Ol Casél” has been constructed using large-scale 3D printing technology developed by WASP, marking a first for airport infrastructure in the country. The structure’s walls are printed with a lime-based material that emits less carbon than traditional cement, demonstrating a lower-impact alternative while still meeting strict airport performance standards. Completed in just 19 days (including seven days of printing), the hybrid project combines digital fabrication with conventional elements and points to a future of faster, more sustainable, and highly adaptable construction methods for complex environments.
The renovation of the Venice Biennale’s Central Pavilion is now complete.
The Central Pavilion of the Venice Biennale’s Giardini has undergone a major €31 million, 16-month renovation, completed ahead of the 2026 Biennale as part of a broader infrastructure overhaul. The project reconfigures the historic building into flexible, “white box” exhibition spaces, restores key architectural elements like Carlo Scarpa–designed windows, and integrates upgraded technical systems and sustainability features. Part of a wider government-backed initiative to modernize Biennale sites, the renovation aims to improve functionality, visitor experience, and long-term cultural infrastructure for one of the art world’s most important exhibitions.
A spiral staircase chunk from the Eiffel Tower is returning to auction.
A rare 8.5-foot segment of the Eiffel Tower’s original 1889 spiral staircase will be auctioned by Artcurial on May 21, with an estimate of €40,000–€50,000 ($46,000–$58,000). The staircase—removed in 1983 during renovations and cut into 24 pieces—is now dispersed across museums and private collections worldwide, with this example remaining in private French hands for over 40 years. Previously sold segments have fetched far higher prices at auction, underscoring ongoing collector demand for historic architectural fragments tied to iconic landmarks.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Chopard’s new high jewelry collection includes one spectacular rainbow ring.
The hottest new book celebrates the joys of butter.
Michel Gondry recreates Kylie Minogue’s “Come Into My World” video for Chanel.
Fashion keeps turning up in the tennis tunnel walk.
