Coinciding with the re-opening of the National Portrait Gallery in London on 22 June, and forming part of their Portrait Mode program, this summer Sotheby’s will host a celebration of portraiture with a season of exhibitions and events, complementing the traditional marquee auctions of fine art.

Minimalism has its appeal, but it’s hard to argue that maximalism doesn’t deserve its share of the design spotlight. In contrast to the pared-down aesthetics of minimalism and its Scandinavian neutrals, maximalism makes the claim that more is better. Instead of white walls and sparse decorative elements, think saturated colors, layered textures, and eclectic pieces that contribute to a bold and undeniably unique space.

If you feel ready to embrace maximalist design in your home, a good place to start is by introducing some color. Whether through a new coat of paint, punchy fabrics, or vivid greenery, a splash of color can be a great way to turn a space into a modern and carefully considered maximalist haven.

Countless art lovers are captivated by the visionary artists Diego Rivera, Augusta Savage, and Camille Pissarro. To cut through the mystery and gain an appreciation and understanding of these masters, one must visit the cities that facilitated their talents. Each is a joy to visit in its own right; add in these stops and you’ll come away with a newfound artistic education covering some of the art world’s biggest names.

Egypt is a nation celebrated for its preservation of artifacts and antiquities; however, no one museum has ever highlighted such a comprehensive collection as the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, which broke ground in 2012. After numerous delays due to construction, finance, logistics, and the global pandemic, the long-awaited opening will occur this year.

Bugatti’s legacy would be assured, even if the dormant nameplate hadn’t been revived for awesome supercars circa 1991. That’s because, before World War II, the company, under founder Ettore Bugatti, produced a series of exquisite and winning racers, plus elegant and mechanically advanced road cars bodied by the world’s premier coachbuilders. Restorers who dismantle Bugattis discover that every part, down to the smallest nut and bolt, is beautifully designed.

There’s nothing like a Steinway & Sons piano. Or so say the virtuosos who insist on playing this American-made instrument. Steinway & Sons pianos have dominated concert halls all over the world since the company introduced its first piano 167 years ago, and pianists from every genre, from Lang Lang to Billy Joel, are known for the special relationship they have with this maker.

An extraordinary work executed in 1982, when the artist was just 22 years old, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Versus Medici will star in the Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York on 12 May, where it will be offered with an estimate of $35–50 million.

When it comes to décor, paintings and photography will always enhance a home. But if you’re looking for an even bigger impact, consider a mural or fresco. These are by no means contemporary art choices—murals have been found in caves as far back as 30,000 BC, and frescoes are credited to ancient Roman, Egyptian, and Minoan civilizations—but they are currently enjoying a renaissance.

Pattern is more than just a point of interest or an aspect of style: it’s one of the fundamental elements of design. As humans, our eyes are naturally drawn to order and repetition—in a tumultuous world, patterns provide the pleasure of orderliness.

As soon as Daniel Craig slipped the vintage jumper over his head and pulled it on, he was beaming. So was costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb. She’d spotted it first in history books, then tracked down the real thing—a 1940s-era British commando sweater, with oversize elbow patches, a wide neckline, and a drawstring to pull the neck tight. It seemed perfect for an action sequence in No Time to Die. But Craig would be the ultimate judge.

Floral paintings are making a contemporary comeback, farmhouses are getting modern face-lifts, and rooms are offering design “experiences.” Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.

Art lovers around the world have long been entranced by the icons Paul Cézanne, Salvadore Dalí, and Jackson Pollock. To fully understand and appreciate these masters, it helps to visit the places that nurtured and continue to display their talents. Each locale is a thrill to visit in its own right; add in these stops and you’ll come away with a newfound artistic education covering some of the art world’s biggest names.

In March, for only the fourth time in its 43-year history, the Pritzker Architecture Prize was awarded to a woman—two women, in fact. Irish architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara were named the 2020 Pritzker Prize Laureates, a designation that reflects the important work being done by women across the world to bring new perspectives and boundary-defying vision to the buildings that influence our skylines.

But women in architecture are not an exception to a rule: they have been changing landscapes for decades. Farrell and McNamara are co-founders of Grafton Architects, a firm they established in 1978. Specializing in rationalist architecture styles and sustainable design, their selected works include the Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan—named the World Building of the Year in 2008—and the Medical School at the University of Limerick. They also served as the co-curators for the 16th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia in 2018.

Ah, condo patios—that beautiful little slice of outdoors in the sky, the oasis built into your urban home. An oasis that can quickly become overrun with pots of neglected plants, mismatched garden furniture, and bikes waiting to be stored.

When you first move into a condo, the patio seems filled with limitless possibilities. But if you’re not careful, it’s easy to start using the space as a form of fresh air storage. Follow these steps to make sure you get the most of your condo’s balconies and outdoors spaces.

Billionaire real estate developer and philanthropist Jorge M Pérez has erected gleaming towers in cities throughout the world, and his name is attached to the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), the flagship contemporary art museum in his adopted hometown. But at the moment, his pride and joy is a squat two-storey warehouse building called El Espacio 23, in a little-known industrial area of the city.

An experimental arts center inaugurated in December, it is the culmination of a great American success story – one which began overseas.

There are many famous quotes about home – “home is where the heart is,” “there’s no place like home,” and “home is where your story begins,” to name a few. These are sentiments we can get behind now, more than ever. Let’s settle into our favorite spots and take a look at the importance of home.

The complex origin story of DC Comics, Inc., one of the oldest and most prominent comic book publishers in the U.S., begins in 1934. That year, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson founded the company as National Allied Publications; in February of 1935 its first comic, entitled New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine #1, hit the stands. The company’s second title, New Comics #1, was published in December of that year, appearing in a size close to what would become industry standard during the period now called the Golden Age of Comic Books.

Neon is reinventing itself as a 21st-century art form; residential layouts are flexing their nontraditional muscles; and furnishings are flaunting their curves. Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.

At the G7 summit last summer in Biarritz, France, 32 of fashion’s biggest players came together to sign The FashionPact with its mandate of emphasizing sustainable efforts across the industry while combatting the greenhouse gases It’s responsible for emitting.

Organized by François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Paris-based luxury-goods group Kering, at the request of French president Emmanuel Macron, the alliance was signed by titans Chanel, Hermès and Prada, as well as fast-fashion H&M Group and Zara, whose knack for speedy mass production is at the very core of what’s being questioned in the industry. The pact is not legally binding, but its backers are making steps forward.

Andrea Bocelli : Music for Hope (Special Event) : On Easter Sunday (April 12, 2020), by invitation of the City and of the Duomo cathedral of Milan, Italian global music icon Andrea Bocelli will give a solo performance representing a message of love, healing and hope to Italy and the world. Watch live at 10am LA, 1pm NYC, 6pm UK, 7pm CET