Sotheby’s creates a Global Luxury & Lifestyle Division

Sotheby’s, the British multinational corporation headquartered in New York City, is uniting its jewelry, watches, wine, cars, and realty divisions under one umbrella. The company announced the appointment of Maarten ten Holder as global Managing Director of the Company’s new Luxury & Lifestyle Division. An accomplished auctioneer, Maarten regularly conducts sales in all of Sotheby’s major … Read more

Bell & Ross. A tribute to artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

The mythical fires of hell together with the skull are the most striking designs used to decorate the skin. BR 01 Skull is a collection of pure talisman watches, a range initiated by French watchmakers Bell & Ross back in 2009. The military symbolism and exceptional craftsmanship of this watch make it truly one of … Read more

Art market faces uncertain 2017 after falling values and high-profile disputes

A drop in volume, court battles and authenticity issues dogged 2016 and no one is sure if the new presidency will be good or bad for business

Ai Weiwei major retrospective. Libero at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence

Palazzo Strozzi in Florence presents Italy’s first major retrospective dedicated to one of the world’s most celebrated and influential contemporary artists, Ai Weiwei. A dissident artist with a leading voice, Ai Weiwei has become a leading voice on the international art scene and China’s most famous living artist. Known for his political activism and meticulous … Read more

Art Basel Miami: how the art fair landscape reflects Trump’s America

The current US climate has led to a racially charged and overtly political range of artworks on display at this year’s show

Laura Cumming: best art of 2016

Portraits woke up, the tiny Goldfinch flew in, the Switch House switched on, and junk art triumphed

• Observer critics’ reviews of the year in full