Previous Posts: December 2025
Conserve Paintings at the Hamilton Kerr Institute
December 30 2025
Picture: cam.ac.uk
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The University of Cambridge and the Hamilton Kerr Institute are hiring a Conservator of Easel Paintings.
According to the job description:
We are seeking a Conservator of Easel Paintings to join our expert team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of conservation while safeguarding the treasures of the past. Working closely with the Director, you will teach and supervise postgraduate students in conservation theory and practical techniques to the highest professional standards. You will examine, document and carry out conservation treatments on easel paintings and other painted surfaces, including polychrome sculpture, ensuring work of the very highest quality.
The job comes with a salary of between £42,254-£56,535 pro rata and applications must be in by 11th January 2026.
Good luck if you're applying!
Lorenzo the Magnificent exhibition for Autumn 2026
December 30 2025
Picture: ansa.it
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Uffizi in Florence have announced a big exhibition on Lorenzo the Magnificent for Autumn 2026. With over 100 objects, featuring loans from across the globe, the show will focus on the inventory made on his death in 1492.
Colnaghi Cleans Sorolla
December 30 2025
Picture: @colnaghi1760 via Instagram
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The dealers Colnaghi have shared some rather pleasing before and after photos of the recently cleaned Little Elena at her Desk by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida.
According to their post:
Exhibited internationally between 1901 and 1911, the work was reproduced in Hispania as Portrait of my daughter and remained in the Sorolla family collection.
Rediscovered José I Portrait acquired by University of Coimbra
December 30 2025
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A reader has kindly been in touch with news from November regarding the following portrait of the young José I (King of Portugal from 1750 to 1777) by Domenico Duprà which was acquired by University of Coimbra in 2023. The picture, which was sold in the Collection Hubert Guerrand-Hermès sale at Sotheby's Paris in 2023 as a 'Portrait of a Young Man', was spotted by Diogo Lemos, a PhD student in Art History at the University. The painting realised €8,890 (inc. commission) over its €2k - €3k estimate. Click on the link above to read more.
El Greco thieves escape with copy instead of original
December 29 2025
Picture: abc.es
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Spanish media have reported on news that thieves who attempted to plunder El Greco's Penitent Magdalene from the parish church of San Eutropio in Paradas, Seville, walked off with a reproduction instead of the original painting itself (spotted via @currmon on 'X'). The break-in, which happened on 24th December, was foiled (it appears) due to the original being kept behind a fence and alarm. It seems that the thieves were content to take a copy instead.
Museo de San Isidro acquires 17th century Isidore the Labourer painting
December 29 2025
Picture: Mutualart
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Spain (via @Boro_RR on 'X') that the Museo de San Isidro in Madrid have acquired an anonymous 17th century painting of Isidore the Labourer Feeding Doves. It was acquired earlier at auction where it was catalogued as 'Madrid School, 17th century'.
Frick Collection Curatorial Fellowships
December 29 2025
Picture: The Frick Collection
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Frick Collection in New York are inviting applications for several fellowships at the moment, including the Anne L. Poulet Curatorial Fellowship 2026–2028.
According to their website for the Fellowship named above:
The Anne L. Poulet Curatorial Fellow will have an opportunity to work with curatorial and educational staff on research for permanent collection displays and special exhibitions. Other curatorial training responsibilities include participation in the organization of the annual Symposium on the History of Art, a two-day event co-sponsored with the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University; a lecture series; and the daily administrative routines of a small museum. The Fellow will have a place of study, access to the collections and library, as well as introductions to New York City museums and libraries. Frick curators and conservation staff will be available for consultation on the dissertation. The Fellow will divide his or her time between the completion of the dissertation and activities in the Curatorial Department. The Fellow is considered a full-time temporary exempt employee for the duration of the two-year fellowship. . The term is expected to begin in September 2026 and conclude in August 2028.
This fellowship comes with an annual stipend of $58,000 and applications must be in by 31st December 2025.
Click through to the Frick website to look at the other fellowships currently on offer.
Christmas Greetings
December 24 2025
Picture: Louvre
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Wishing all readers of AHN a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I do hope you and your families are keeping safe and well, wherever you may be.
Frans Francken II acquired by Art Institute Chicago
December 24 2025
Picture: CODART
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from CODART that the Art Institute Chicago have acquired Frans Francken II's Queen Esther before her husband, the Persian king Ahasuerus. The painting is apparently 'the first Flemish early modern painting to be acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago in nearly fifteen years.' The work had previously been with the dealers Salomon Lilian.
Christie's New York Part II Sale
December 24 2025
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Christie's New York Old Master Paintings and Sculpture Part II sale has been uploaded online. The auction will take place on 4th February 2026.
As usual with such sales, I won't point out what may or may not be interest.
Rijksmuseum × Musée du Louvre Cross-Fellowship Programme
December 24 2025
Picture: rijksmuseum.nl
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Rijksmuseum and Louvre are inviting applications for a fellowship programme related to the field of decorative arts and historical interiors.
According to their website:
The Rijksmuseum × Musée du Louvre Cross-Fellowship Programme welcomes outstanding postdoctoral researchers to submit proposals for research exploring the art and cultural history shared by France and the Netherlands, as reflected in the collections, histories, or institutional contexts of the Musée du Louvre and the Rijksmuseum. [...]
This Fellowship offers early career scholars the opportunity to conduct research into objects in the collections of the Rijksmuseum and the Musée du Louvre. Candidates are invited to submit a research proposal that draws on these objects as subject material and as sources of historical information. The Rijksmuseum × Musée du Louvre Cross-Fellowship is primarily intended for candidates whose focus is on the historical role and symbolic meaning of objects, on material culture or the societal context in which these artefacts were used. Therefore, please note that this fellowship does not welcome proposals exclusively focusing on artistic style, oeuvres or art techniques.
The fellowships come with a 12-month stipend of €45,000 and applications must be in by 8th February 2026. Click on the link above for the full terms and conditions.
Nixon & Weindling Sales at Sotheby's New York
December 24 2025
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's New York have uploaded their two upcoming single owner sales online. This includes Master Drawings from the Collection of Diane A. Nixon and Light and Life: The Lester L. Weindling Collection.
Highlights from the Weindling Collection include a $2m - $3m still life by Jan Jansz. den Uyl the Elder, a $2m - $3m shipping scene by Jan van de Cappelle, a $1.8m - $2.5m river scene by Salomon van Ruysdael, and a $1.8m - $2.5m frozen river scene at sunset by Aert van der Neer (pictured).
The Nixon sale highlights include works on paper by Watteau, Fra Bartolomeo, Annibale Carracci and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
A handful of highlights have been uploaded to the Master Paintings & Works of Art Part I sale thus far.
Christie's New York Sale
December 23 2025
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Christie's New York have uploaded their upcoming Old Masters sale online. The auction will take place on 4th February 2026.
The highlights include the aforementioned $30m Canaletto, a Botticelli & Studio Madonna and Child with St John the Baptist at $4m - $6m, a Self Portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi at $2.5m - $3.5m, Chardin's The Diligent Mother at $1m - $2m, and an impressive Magdalene by Pieter Coeke van Aelst I at $500k - $800k.
Finding Catherine Read
December 23 2025
Picture: Rhodes Trust via ArtUK (where misattributed)
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I hope readers don't mind a short plug for a blog I've written for the website ArtHerStory.net entitled Finding Catherine Read. The piece explains what it is like to go out and find misattributed paintings by female artists. Catherine Read (1720-1778) is widely known as a portraitist in pastel (indeed Neil Jeffares has over 20 pages of them here accessible for free on Pastellists.com), however, her recognised oil paintings are fewer in number.
This summer I began to make a list of misattributed oils on canvas that I have spotted in public collections, museums, private collections and on the art market. The blog features many pictures that are published and given to Read for the first time (perhaps in a long time, at least).
Curate at Waddesdon Manor!
December 23 2025
Picture: Waddesdon Manor via ArtUk
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Waddesdon Manor and the Rothschild Foundation are hiring a Curator and a Curatorial Assistant.
According to the job description for the Curator role:
As a member of the curatorial team, you will be responsible for researching, understanding and communicating the Collections and their histories to connect visitors, wider audiences and communities to Waddesdon. You will participate in an ambitious and inclusive permanent display and exhibitions programme, and will work closely with the Senior Curator, Senior Collections Manager and other colleagues to plan and deliver the strategy for care, access and engagement for the Collections. You will contribute to the efficient running of the Collections Department, creating a sense of common purpose, encouraging innovative thinking and best practice and working within the line management structure to support junior and senior colleagues and the day-to-day running of the department. You will participate in the wider strategy for Waddesdon and the RF as a whole and the representation of the Collections within it so that learning and skills are valued and Waddesdon’s curatorial work is recognized as an exemplar of excellence both nationally and internationally. You will work with a wide range of other departments and with external stakeholders and advisors and require good people and communication skills.
The jobs come with salaries of £40,000 - £42,000 and £28,000 - £30,000 respectively and applications must be in by 22nd January 2026.
Good luck if you're applying!
Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans acquire Pierre Nicolas Legrand de Serant
December 23 2025
Picture: @guillaume_mbr via 'X'
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sustermans Cosimo III de’ Medici being Conserved
December 23 2025
Picture: phoebusfoundation.org
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Phoebus Foundation in Belgium have published an interesting article on the conservation of Justus Sustermans’ Portrait of Cosimo III de’ Medici as a Child. For more information and pleasing mid-clean photos click on link above.
Cornelius Jonson at the Stadsmuseum Zierikzee
December 23 2025
Picture: WBOOKS / Stadsmuseum Zierikzee
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Stadsmuseum Zierikzee in the Netherlands will be opening a new exhibition on Cornelius Jonson van Ceulen on 15th January 2026. The show, which has been curated by Karen Hearn, will feature loans from major European museums including Tate, the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister Dresden, and the Rijksmuseum. In fact, the Mauritshuis have cleaned their painting of Jan Beck and his five children (from which the detail in the image above is taken) especially for the exhibition.
The exhibition, for which a full printed catalogue (with an English version available too) has also been published, will run until 14th June 2026.
Recent Release: Final Volume of Rubens Drawings Catalogue
December 22 2025
Picture: Brepols
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I'm late to news that the final volume of the Critical Catalogue of the drawings of Rubens was published this autumn. This third volume covers the years 1621-1640 and was edited by Anne-Marie Logan and Kristin Lohse Belkin.
According to the publisher's website:
This is the final volume of the catalogue raisonné of the drawings by Peter Paul Rubens, covering the years 1621–1640. The project is a collaboration between Anne-Marie Logan, to whom belong all the Rubens attributions, and Kristin Lohse Belkin. It is the first publication that presents the artist’s entire drawn oeuvre in chronological order, previous such publications containing only selections of drawings. Accordingly, Volume III consists of the drawings from 1621 to the artist’s death in 1640.
The first decade is characterized by Rubens’s first foreign commission, the paintings for the Luxembourg Palace, Marie de’ Medici, the Queen Mother’s new residence in Paris, and by the demands of the artist’s diplomatic missions to the courts of Madrid and London. In contrast to the works requested by Rubens’s official duties, especially portraiture, a subject not of primary interest to the artist before, are the paintings and drawings of the second decade, predominantly inspired by the elderly painter’s marriage to the young Helena Fourment and the love and deep affection for his wife and her children. Court portraits are replaced by images of his family à trois crayons, Rubens preferred medium in these years. Helena in disguise appears in the artist’s religious, mythological and genre paintings, most gloriously in the series of drawings for The Garden of Love. Commissions for altarpieces continue but unlike the black chalk anatomical studies of the 1610s, preparatory drawings now consist of head studies in black and red chalk, the latter used for the capture and color of skin. At the same time, images of domestic bliss are accompanied by drawings of the Flemish countryside, especially after Rubens’s purchase of the seignorial estate “Het Steen” in 1635.
CFP: Drawing the Frame
December 22 2025
Picture: Louvre via The Frame Blog
Posted by Adam Busiakeiwicz:
News via The Frame Blog that the 2026 Gernsheim Study Days, hosted in Rome, are inviting papers on research that focuses on connections between framing and drawing in the early modern period.
According to the blog post:
We invite papers that treat frames and framing, broadly conceived, as they relate to drawing. Possible topics and questions that we hope to address include:
– Frame design and drawing for the decorative arts
– The role of frames and framing in the making or changing of meaning
– Inscriptions on drawings or, later, passepartouts, as a form of framing
– Marginalia as paratextual frames
– How the frame in drawing complicates our understanding of the frame
– The frame as mediator of drawings
– The frame as a metapictorial device
The conference will run in May 2026 and application documents must be submitted by 16th January 2026.
