Blockbusters, Crackdowns, and a Market Under Siege

Show notes for today's episode of The Daily Art Download — your ten minute crash course in today's art world news. A de Kooning Homecoming! Rijksmuseum Preps Blockbuster https://news.artnet.com/art-world/de-kooning-rijksmuseum-2788860 A New Culture Crackdown in Hong Kong—and Other Art Matters https://news.artnet.com/artnet-bulletin/hong-kong-bookseller-arrests-other-art-matters-2788711 Ana Mendieta’s True Legacy Takes Flight at Tate Modern https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ana-mendieta-tate-modern-2788289 Whereabouts of Cuban artist-activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara remain unknown following end of prison sentence https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/17/whereabouts-of-cuban-artist-activist-luis-manuel-otero-alcantara-remain-unknown-following-end-of-prison-sentence Italy returns 27 historical objects to Mexico after investigations by art hit squad https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/17/italy-returns-27-historical-objects-to-mexico-after-investigations-by-art-hit-squad Shanghai Auction Executives Sentenced in Major Fraud Case as Industry Scrutiny Intensifies https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/shanghai-auction-executives-sentenced-in-major-fraud-case-1234792736/ Congressional Representatives Introduce New Bill to Protect Public Artworks in Government Buildings https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-bill-protect-public-artworks-government-buildings-1234792754/ A Mural at Ancient City of Calakmul May Be the Oldest Known Image of Maya Hero Juun Ajaw https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/painting-at-calakmul-may-be-of-maya-mythical-hero-juun-ajaw-1234792541/ How the Surrealists Psyopped the Gestapo and Otherwise Fought Fascism https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/aia-reviews/surrealism-antifascism-in-the-very-bowels-of-change-modern-warsaw-dali-picasso-1234792418/ Zendaya’s Earrings Are Part of a Much Bigger Problem https://hyperallergic.com/zendayas-earrings-are-part-of-a-much-bigger-problem/