In Memoriam
This week, we pay tribute to a towering figure of 20th-century cinema, a sculptor inspired by nature, and a self-proclaimed “paintoonist.”
Armenian-Italian artist, architect and director Yervant Gianikian, Milano, Italy, 17th February 2024. (photo Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images)
In Memoriam is released every Wednesday afternoon, celebrating those from the art world who have recently passed away.
Yervant Gianikian
1942–2026
Armenian-Italian filmmaker, artist, and architect
Alongside his late partner Angela Ricci Lucchi, Gianikian was a pivotal figure in late 20th-century cinema. Notable works include From the Pole to the Equator (1986), Prisoners of War (1995), and Angela’s Diaries – The Two of Us, Filmmakers (2018–26). His films explored themes from European colonialism to personal homage. His work is housed in prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Tate Modern. He was awarded the Golden Lion for the Armenian pavilion at the 2015 Venice Biennale.
Valerie Brathwaite
1938–2026
Abstract sculptor inspired by nature
Born in Trinidad and based in Caracas, Brathwaite was inspired by the landscapes, flora, and fauna of her native and adopted countries. Her work comprised flowing, organic sculptures and drawings. She was also a DJ, crafting a vibrant soundscape rich in jazz and freestyle influences.
Read the obituary
Richard H. Glanton
1946–2026
Former president of the Barnes Foundation
During the 1990s, Glanton sought to raise the Philadelphia Barnes Foundation’s profile by selling select artworks, a decision that ran counter to the founder’s conditions and sparked controversy.
Herbert Lust
1926–2026
Collector who mingled with Postwar Euroamerican art legends
Lust was a vibrant figure in the art circles of postwar New York and Paris, forming friendships with icons like Alberto Giacometti, Alexander Calder, and Robert Indiana. His extensive collection was shared with institutions such as the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC.
Beth McKillop
1953–2026
Curator who advanced Korean art
McKillop played a crucial role in bringing Korean art to prominence in Britain. She was instrumental in establishing the first permanent Korean gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum and greatly expanded its collection.
Jerry Moriarty
1938–2026
Painter, cartoonist, and educator
Moriarty, who called himself a “Paintoonist,” was the creator of the renowned comic Jack Survives (1980), which was published in Art Spiegelman’s magazine Raw. He also freelanced as an illustrator for publications like Esquire, The New Yorker, and Seventeen, and taught at the School of Visual Arts.
Sharon Dede Padi
1976–2026
Ghanaian artist and poet with a Guinness World Record
A prominent contemporary artist in Ghana, Padi established the Padiki Art Gallery in Accra. She showcased her own work while supporting emerging talents. Last year, she achieved a Guinness World Record for the Largest Leaf Print Painting, covering over 584 square feet.
Angela Rosengart
1932–2026
Swiss gallerist, collector, and founder of Sammlung Rosengart Museum
Active in the art world since 1948, Rosengart was a champion of Modernism and had close ties with many of its greats, including Picasso, who sketched her portrait five times. She established the Sammlung Rosengart Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 2002.
Margaret Thomas
1941–2026
Photojournalist who chronicled 20th-century milestones
Thomas was the first female photojournalist at the Washington Post, covering significant events such as the Watergate hearings and the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. She received numerous accolades from the White House News Photographers Association, including the 1987 Photographer of the Year award.
