Saint John the Baptist Preaching by Raphael.
Photo: © The National Gallery, London
Looking Ahead to the Most Highly Anticipated Art Exhibitions in 2022
From new work by rising art stars to rare 20th-century masterpieces, these upcoming shows around the world are worth traveling for
Francis Bacon, Study for Bullfight No. 1, 1969. Photo: © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2021. Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd.
1. “Francis Bacon: Man and Beast” at the Royal Academy, London
This highly anticipated and long delayed exhibition, “Man and Beast” explores the celebrated British artist’s love of animals and how his fascination influenced his later art. January 29 — April 17
Models wearing YSL in The Mondrian Collection at Haagse Gemeente Museum, 1966. Photo: Eric Koch
2. Yves Saint Laurent aux Musées in Paris
To celebrate the very first YSL runway show, six Paris museums where the eponymous French designer sought inspiration have collaborated on a city-spanning exhibition. On view through May 15, the displays at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Musée National Picasso Paris, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, and The Louvre feature YSL creations presented alongside complementary works by artists in their collections, including Mondrian, Picasso, Matisse, Bonnard, and Dufy. January 29 — May 15
The 3,600-year-old Nebra Sky Disc. Photo: Courtesy of the British Museum
3. “The World of Stonehenge” at the British Museum, London
Constructed more than four millennia ago, Stonehenge is one of the most famous yet mysterious monuments in the world. This fascinating exhibition, spanning 4000 BC to 1000 BC, will incorporate everything from jewelry and ornamental metalwork to tools and ritual objects to further enhance viewers’ understanding of the sacred site. Don’t miss the oldest surviving map of the stars, first discovered in Germany in 1999, which has never before been displayed in the U.K. February 17 — July 17
Barbara Kruger, Thinking of You . I Mean Me. I Mean You, 2019. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
4. “Barbara Kruger: Thinking Of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You.” at Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA’s “Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You.” spans four decades of the groundbreaking artist’s work, making it one of the largest Barbara Kruger exhibitions in over 20 years. March 20 — April 17
Ponch Hawkes, No title (Two women embracing, 'Glad to be gay'), 1973 Photo: Courtesy of the NGV
5. “Queer” at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia
Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria explores its own collection of over 300 artworks through the lens of queerness to investigate it as “an expression of sexuality and gender, a political movement, a sensibility, and as an attitude that defies fixed definition” and how this has impacted art. Expect to see everything from ancient Greek sculpture to modern fashion by an Australian nightclub icon. Opens March 18
Raphael, Saint John the Baptist Preaching. Photo: © The National Gallery, London
Paul Cézanne, Auvers, Panoramic View, 1873-75. Photo: Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
7. “Cézanne” at the Art Institute of Chicago
Paul Cézanne, whose paintings inspired such artists as Monet, Matisse, and Picasso, will be spotlighted in this massive retrospective, the first stateside exhibition of his work in over 25 years. Along with the chance to view over 90 of the artist’s oil paintings and 40 watercolors and drawings, visitors will get further insight how the paintings were created. Opens May 15
Tutankhamun. Photo: Courtesy of The Grand Museum
8. “Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh” at the Grand Egyptian Museum
The debut of the Grand Egyptian Museum has been pushed back multiple times, but when it finally opens in the fall of 2022, it will become the largest and most significant archaeological institution in the world. Notably, it is to be the final resting place of King Tutankhamun, with artifacts including his death mask on display. Opens November 2022
Cover: Saint John the Baptist Preaching by Raphael.
Photo: © The National Gallery, London
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