This week in the art world offers a rich tapestry of historical intrigue, spiritual exploration, and record-breaking sales. From a long-lost dagger belonging to Henry VIII to a stunning exhibition of Sufi-inspired art and a Fabergé masterpiece fetching millions, there's plenty to capture the imagination of UK art lovers.
Exhibition Highlights Across the UK
Several major exhibitions have opened their doors, presenting unique cultural experiences. In London, Strawberry Hill House hosts a fascinating show titled Henry VIII’s Lost Dagger. This exhibition, running until 15 February, embarks on a curious quest for the Tudor monarch's storied Ottoman dagger, displayed within the very house where the modern Gothic aesthetic began.
Meanwhile, the British Museum delves into the mystical with Sufi Life and Art. This display, open until 26 July, traces the influence of the Sufi religious tradition on creativity across centuries. It features portraits of dervishes and saints alongside modern abstract works that channel a profound Sufi spirit.
Fans of contemporary art can visit the Cristea Roberts Gallery for a new Paula Rego exhibition. This show focuses on a period where Rego renewed her artistic practice through dedicated drawing, finding inspiration partly in the writings of playwright Martin McDonagh. It concludes on 17 January.
Record Sales and Artistic Discoveries
The art market made headlines this week with a spectacular sale. A Fabergé egg, originally crafted for the mother of Russia's last tsar, sold at auction for a staggering £23 million, setting a new record. This sale underscores the enduring value and fascination with these imperial treasures.
In other news, a long-lost painting by the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens recently went under the hammer, rediscovered after years out of the public eye. Furthermore, the annual art power list saw a historic moment, with Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama becoming the first African to top the ranking. Mahama is known for his large-scale installations, such as draping the Barbican in purple fabric.
Other Notable Shows and Insights
Beyond the headlines, several other exhibitions are captivating audiences. Hauser & Wirth in London presents massive geological sculptures by Cristina Iglesias, resembling rugged coastal rock formations, until 20 December. In Edinburgh, Modern OneSelves and Stand-Ins, featuring works by artists like Robert Mapplethorpe and Gillian Wearing that question the nature of identity; this show runs until 25 January.
The image of the week comes from Uzbek artist Saodat Ismailova, whose first UK solo exhibition creates an immersive, dreamlike space. Her work, which includes references to ASMR prophets and Soviet hypnotists, offers scenes of breathtaking beauty and disorienting anxiety.
This week also taught us that the Empire State Building was constructed by daredevils, Norman Foster's latest New York skyscraper is remarkably large, and French artist JR has new plans for Paris's Pont Neuf. Additionally, a new exhibition successfully captures the often-overlooked silly side of photography.
Masterpiece of the Week: A Probable Self-Portrait
Our weekly masterpiece spotlight falls on Portrait of a Man by Gerrit Dou, painted around 1635-40 and held at The National Gallery in London. The subject's disarming gaze and bohemian attire—complete with long ringlets and a colourful cap—set him apart from typical sober Dutch merchants. Art historians suggest the delicate way he holds his pipe mimics how an artist would hold a brush. Given that Dou was a pupil of Rembrandt and was in his early twenties when he painted this, just like the sitter, it is widely believed to be a subtle self-portrait, offering a friendly greeting from the artist himself.
