Community News: Art Auctions, Presidential Paintings, and Honors
Art Movements, published every Thursday afternoon, is a roundup of must-know news, appointments, awards, and other happenings in today’s chaotic art world.
Christie’s Gets Presidential
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and to commemorate this milestone, the renowned auction house Christie’s is hosting multiple auctions as part of “Americana Week.” Surprisingly, one of the lots includes a painting by former President Jimmy Carter. In addition to Carter’s artwork, the auction will feature Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington for James Madison and Grant Wood’s original study for “American Gothic” (1930), a fitting tribute to this important anniversary.
Trump Celebrates the New Year By Auctioning Off Jesus
In a rather unconventional move, former President Donald Trump kicked off the new year by auctioning off a painting of Jesus Christ. The live-painted likeness of Jesus, created by Christian worship painter Vanessa Horabuena, was auctioned at Mar-a-Lago for a staggering $2.75 million. The event featured a 10-minute performance of religious music, culminating in the sale of the painting.
Wild Moves at Wildenstein & Co.
In a surprising turn of events, Guy Wildenstein resigned as president of Wildenstein & Co. after 35 years. This decision came in the wake of a 2024 conviction for what prosecutors deemed as one of the most sophisticated tax frauds in modern France. Despite Wildenstein’s claims that the two events are unrelated, the timing raises eyebrows and draws parallels to the infamous Titanic and icebergs.
Transitions
Several notable transitions have taken place in the art world recently:
– Julie Jones has been appointed as the director of the Maison EuropĂ©enne de la Photographie in Paris.
– Amy Sillman has departed from Gladstone Gallery and is now represented by David Zwirner Gallery.
– Kevin Umaña is now represented by The Pit gallery in Los Angeles.
Awards
In recognition of their contributions to the art world, several individuals have received prestigious awards:
– Tristram Hunt, director of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, was knighted by King Charles III of Great Britain.
– Various art historians, museum directors, and nonprofit directors were honored with Orders of the British Empire.
– Evelyn Patricia Terry and Della Wells were awarded Mary L. Nohl Fund Fellowships for Individual Artists, while Nomka Enkhee, Laura Farahzad Mayer, and Yinan Wang received awards in the Emerging Artist category.
Stay tuned for more updates and news in the ever-evolving world of art.
