Frieze New York, a Cranach provenance story, and Ajamu X in Liverpool
The latest episode of The Week in Art moves from the bustle of Frieze New York to a newly reproduced image tied to one of the National Gallery’s most closely watched Old Master paintings. Ben Sutton and Kabir Jhala join Ben Luke to discuss Frieze New York, the other fairs taking place in the city, and the New York auctions now on the horizon.
The episode also returns to Cupid Complaining to Venus (1526-27), the Lucas Cranach the Elder painting in the National Gallery in London whose ownership history has long drawn scrutiny. Luke speaks with Martin Bailey, who has followed the story since the 1990s, about the latest reporting on the work. The painting was once in Adolf Hitler’s possession, and a photograph of it in Hitler’s Munich apartment is reproduced in English for the first time in the May print edition.
The Work of the Week is Glamour Posse, the early 1990s series by British photographer Ajamu X (b. 1963). The work features in Gender Stories, the UK touring exhibition now opening at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Luke speaks with Charlotte Keenan, head of the gallery, as the show arrives there.
The episode also situates the week’s calendar: Frieze New York continues until Sunday, 17 May; Esther runs until 16 May; and Tefaf remains open until 19 May. Gender Stories is on view at the Walker Art Gallery from 16 May to 31 August.
Taken together, the episode traces a familiar art-world pattern: fairs set the pace, provenance research reshapes the historical record, and museum exhibitions give that history a public frame.
