Galerie’s Weekly Art and Design Industry News Brief

Here are this week’s must-read news stories in the fields of art and design.

1. Simone Leigh wins Guggenheim’s Hugo Boss Prize

Simone Leigh, the New York–based artist known for her sculptures, was awarded the Guggenheim Museum’s prestigious Hugo Boss Prize this week, which recognizes achievement in contemporary art. “Leigh has consistently expanded the possibilities of ceramics, which is her principal medium and one that has long been undervalued within the mainstream art world,” the jury said in its statement. “We are particularly compelled by Leigh’s longstanding and unwavering commitment to addressing black women as both the subject of and audience for her work.”

An autographed photo of Marilyn Monroe wearing the Moon of Baroda diamond. The diamond and the photo will be auctioned off at Christie’s. Photo: Christie's

2. Christie’s to auction Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Moon of Baroda’ canary yellow diamond

The exquisite gem was worn by Monroe while she was on the publicity tour for her movie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1953. The illustrious diamond will be included in the Magnificent Jewels Sale on Nov. 27 at Christie’s Hong Kong. Christie’s will also auction off an autographed photo of the actress wearing the diamond.

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3. Getty Foundation grants $1.7 million to conserve historic architecture

The Getty Foundation announced recently that it intends to distribute $1.7 million in grant funding for conservation efforts of 11 landmark 20th-century structures. The structures include the National Art Schools in Havana, Cuba; the Rashid Karami International Fairground in Tripoli, Lebanon; the History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo; the Chess Palace and Alpine Club in Tbilisi, Georgia; and St Brendan’s Community School in Birr, Ireland.

“Night Watch” is Rembrandt’s largest painting. It hasn’t been restored since the 1970s. Photo: Rijksmuseum

4. Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” to undergo years-long restoration

The Rijksmuseum announced on Tuesday that it will restore Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The restoration will last several years and take place while the painting remains on display in the museum’s Gallery of Honor, so that the public can observe the process.

5. Doctors in Quebec will soon prescribe museum visits as medicine

A new initiative from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts will allow doctors to be able to prescribe a visit to a museum. The MMFA announced Thursday that as of Nov. 1, physicians who are members of Médecins francophones du Canada will be able to send patients on visits to the museum for free, allowing patients, accompanied by caregivers or family members, to enjoy the health benefits of viewing art. The museum says the project, which they’re testing for one year, is the first program of its kind in the world.

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6. The Met and the Brooklyn Museum reject Saudi funding for Middle Eastern art programs

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum said on Thursday that they would not use Saudi money for programs on Middle Eastern art that had originally been supported by groups tied to the Saudi government. The announcement comes as the international outrage over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues to grow.