Brian T. Allen

On the art of angst, a gender-bending torero, learning as the antidote to hate, and other topics.

In New York, TEFAF is tepid, but the American Art Fair delights.

The Autry Museum goes too far down the atrocity-propaganda road.

In other news, an art fair turns voting-law expert and an art vandal heads to the clink.

A well-told take on a figure hated and adored, plus George Bush’s angst art.

Acquisitions in 2023 include a grand royal portrait and a teacup fit for a French dauphin.

Eclectic architecture, often overlooked, depicted in new portfolio of photographs.

The painter’s final statement — his darkest paintings — under new light.

On offer: Wiggling angels, an anguished Abraham, and densely adorned altarpieces.

Substance is losing out to sparkling, pricey new buildings and lots of ego trips.

The art-and-museum circuit is struggling, changing, but dare we say evolving in some corners, in response to this terrible year’s circumstances.

Great American work from living and dead artists, luscious gardens, and a commitment to serve the public, even amid COVID.

Hundreds of millions for woke public art aimed to stoke victimologies.

The Judson Church windows fill the space with truth that’s ethereal and radiant, but truth it is.

Give relief to theaters, operas, and other live-performance venues first. Most museums, especially the big ones, don’t need the money, and they’ve failed the public.

The show is postponed, and guess who’s smothering free thought?

Making the Met, 1870–2020 makes the case, and no one can deny it: The Met is an unparalleled marvel.

COVID-19 has pulled back the veil on the insularity, elitism, and laziness of far too many museums, which are forgetting that their main purpose is to serve the public.

Meanwhile, American museums turn political and keep the public out.

A courtier, a wanderer, a high-stepping superstar portraitist with the gift of empathy

The Nasher Sculpture Center, with a solo show on Barry X Ball, leads the way in reopening and focusing on art rather than virtue-signaling.

Photo-realism’s most esteemed practitioner is a master of ‘what’s just in your world.

But it’s El Greco … either way, you can’t go wrong.

Clang, clang, clang, ding, ding, ding for the city’s superb museum.

Long-simmering complaints about pay and treatment still need to be addressed.

Once a hairstylist, the artist mined the beauty parlor in his early work.

Two beautiful museum buildings show old and new seamlessly.

On this holiday celebrating our beginnings, today’s raging, bored, and bossy mob may need a dose of history paintings.

Museums are reopening, but those that won’t? Don’t give them money.

A palace of art in an old brewery welcomes a Vermont Yankee.