Kevin Dumouchelle of the National Museum of African Art explains what a fearsome 19th-century ceremonial mask meant to its makers in Côte d’Ivoire
A Madonna of the Cherries by Quentin Metsys and a very rare sketchbook by Caspar David Friedrich are among the most important works to have entered public collections in the last month
Recent conservation efforts have led to new discoveries of stunning interiors and wall paintings that also tell us more about everyday life in the city
When it comes to conjuring the uncanny atmosphere and impossible logic of dreams, the Czech film-maker has few equals
This dynamic young wine producer was quick to become a corking success – and is making sure artists from the region are in on the fun
The printed, patterned cloth called toile de Jouy was at its height of its popularity in the 18th century, but still delights today
The renovated Fondation Bemberg in Toulouse is a fitting home for its founder’s eclectic art collection
The Italian artist had no shortage of spirited designs for corporate brewers and distillers keen to convey the essence of their products
A new life of a very singular art historian places his work in the intellectual contexts of his time
The modernist building houses many significant works, but it’s the museum’s canny marketing and astute navigation of choppy political climates that really set it apart as it celebrates its 50th anniversary
The philanthropist’s pursuits range from collecting Asian art to restoring ruined buildings
At Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, the restoration of a rare piece of male dress allows us to appreciate 17th-century craftsmanship in more detail
A series of artist-designed bottles produced by an innovative Tuscan winery wouldn’t be out of place in a gallery
Modern creations may offer a riot of flavours but in form they’re no match for the fantastical shapes of the past
Underground storage can be dark and sinister, but when it’s used for wine, it can become a place of deep pleasure
As the Olympic Games arrive in Paris, two exhibitions shine a light on overlooked aspects of competitive sport
Most paintings of the Virgin Mary show her holding the divine infant, but a 14th-century panel by Cenni di Francesco reminds us of more earthy realities
A tender portrait by Gauguin of his young son and a bronze lion by Rembrandt Bugatti are among the most significant works to have entered a public collection in the last month
The artist laureate of Los Angeles also draws on the everyday junk of Southern California to embellish the myth of a city nestled between the ocean and the desert
The artist’s ability to stop time is on full display in a painting that was recently acquired by the Louvre and is now touring France
Peter Hujar and Paul Thek offer a lesson in the art of appreciation at Loewe’s menswear show in Paris
Midway through a major refurbishment, the Institute is still managing to thrive at a challenging time for UK museums
Drawing models in the flesh has been in and out of fashion over the centuries, but the London institution’s postgrad programme is breathing new life into the practice
Nancy E. Edwards of the Kimbell Art Museum explains how a magnificent tapestry by Bernard van Orley re-enacts the Battle of Pavia
