As we bid farewell to 2025 and look forward to an eventful 2026, let’s take a moment to revisit the most popular stories from Hyperallergic this past year. From covering the daring Louvre heist to examining the growing authoritarianism in the White House, 2025 has been a year filled with engaging art discourse, viral memes, and thought-provoking content. Hyperallergic takes pride in delivering impactful stories that resonate with readers and spark meaningful conversations within the art community.
This compilation of the top 20 most-read stories of 2025 is just a glimpse into the diverse range of articles published by Hyperallergic on a daily basis. With nearly 2,000 stories written by numerous talented authors, Hyperallergic has reached millions of readers through email newsletters and online platforms, shaping the narrative around contemporary art and culture.
None of this would have been achievable without the unwavering support of Hyperallergic members who believe in the importance of independent journalism and critical analysis. In a year marked by challenges, the dedication of our members has enabled us to continue producing quality content and look ahead to an even more promising 2026.
Now, let’s delve into Hyperallergic’s 20 Most Read Stories of 2025, presented in descending order based on total views:
1. “What I Wish I Had Known About Germany Earlier” by Ai Weiwei
2. “When Artists Are Too Old to Be ‘Emerging’ by Damien Davis
3. “Monuments Were Never Meant to Last Forever” by Nanase Shirokawa
4. “Reclaiming a Whitewashed History of the Great Depression” by Monica Uszerowicz
5. “The True Story of a Rare Eva Hesse Painting Found at a Goodwill Auction” by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
6. “The Museum Donors Accused of Sucking California Dry” by Dan Schindel
7. “Can Steve Martin Help Bring Visitors to the Frick Collection?” by Isa Farfan
8. “People Really Hate the Philadelphia Art Museum Rebrand” by Maya Pontone
9. “The Louvre Was Robbed, But the Memes Stole the Show” by Isa Farfan
10. “The Painter Who Captured the Dark Side of Flowers” by Natasha Seaman
11. “The Best Signs and Art of This Year’s Massive May Day Protests” by Maya Pontone
12. “Donald Trump Brings Back ‘Degenerate Art'” by Ed Simon
13. “Everything Is Not Fine in the Art World” by Damien Davis
14. “100 Assignments From Nayland Blake” by Nayland Blake
15. “The Revisionist History of the Nazi Salute” by Sarah Bond
16. “The Brilliance and Privilege of Jane Austen and Julia Margaret Cameron” by Alexandra M. Thomas
17. “Two Artists Withdraw From Smithsonian Symposium” by Isa Farfan
18. “The Trump Administration Looks Even Worse Up Close” by Lisa Yin Zhang
19. “Celebrating the Science of Quilts” by Julie Schneider
20. “Monuments Collapses American History on Itself” by Claudia Ross
These stories represent just a fraction of the diverse and captivating content produced by Hyperallergic in 2025. As we look ahead to the future, we remain committed to delivering insightful journalism and fostering meaningful dialogue within the art community. If you’re not already a member, we invite you to consider supporting our work and becoming a part of our community in 2026. Join us in our mission to champion independent reporting and critical analysis by becoming a paid member today.
