Why New York’s Metropolitan museum is leader of the free world of art

The Met, all set to rebuild its modern wing, mixes Rembrandts with Pollocks to create an unrivalled cocktail of past and present. Why can’t British art museums be as open-minded?

Faking a fortune: why Damien Hirst’s paintings are poor imitations of art

A Florida pastor has been jailed for trying to sell fake paintings by the British artist. But why does the art world give Hirst’s talentless artworks any financial value at all?

Uffizi Gallery to reopen Renaissance art rooms after €600,000 gift

Fifty more paintings to be exhibited as Florence museum accepts donation from luxury goods firm Salvatore Ferragamo

Curators may be sceptical but branding is vital for museums

The Tate and British Museum are among institutions that have adopted brand thinking – taken seriously, it can help our scholarship reach more people

Warhol-style 200 bitcoin print bought by anonymous buyer

The face value of 200 bitcoins may be higher than $200, but the artist isn’t quite Warhol famous – yet

High heels and pink pitchforks adorn Chatsworth house lawns

Giant objects in the gardens of one of Britain’s grandest houses form part of an exhibition by artist Michael Craig-Martin