Georg Baselitz: Eroi d’Oro (Heroes of Gold) Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore
The German painter and sculptor passed away last week. In a statement prior to his death, he described this suite of works as what he expected to be his final paintings and now, sadly, they are. They exist on a straight line from the Heroes series he started making more than 60 years ago, and some pay tribute to his wife.
Michael Armitage: The Promise of Change Palazzo Grassi, San Marco
The most complete institutional show to date for the insanely in demand British painter, curated by the Pinault Collection.
Giangiacomo Rossetti: The Dead Palazzetto Tito, Dorsoduro
I’ve been wanting to sink my teeth into another full-scale show from this Milan-born, New York–based painter of modern life for a while now, ever since his show at the Power Station in Dallas. Very exciting.
Lee Ufan SMAC Venice, San Marco
Curated by Dia Art Foundation director Jessica Morgan, don’t miss a rare survey of the 89-year-old Korean art master.
AURA AMA, Venezia Cannareggio
The private museum founded by the collector Laurent Asscher will feature work by Arthur Jafa, Charles Ray, Christopher Wool, Richard Serra, Laura Owens, Jenny Saville, and others. There’s also a work specifically commissioned from Ed Ruscha to be at the space: Venezia, Venice (2026), an ode to the Italian city and the beach-side Los Angeles neighborhood where Ruscha had a studio for nearly 30 years. Plus there’s a bar, Larry’s Bar, a cheeky nod to the Venetian classic on the Grand Canal, Harry’s Bar.
Strange Rules Berggruen Arts & Culture at the Palazzo Diedo, Cannaregio
Another group show curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, this time alongside the artist duo Mat Dryhurst and Holly Herndon, and with Adriana Rispoli.
Sanya Kantarovsky: Basic Failure Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere, ed Arti; Palazzo Loredan, San Marco
New work from the great New York–based painter, who is on a bit of a tear at the moment. Cannot wait.
Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy Gallerie dell’Accademia, Dorsoduro
This is one of the great museum spaces in Venice, and I for one truly cannot wait to see what happens when Abramović has her way with it.
Jenny Saville Ca’ Pesaro, Santa Croce
It’s the great British painter’s first major solo show in Venice, and features more than two dozen paintings and drawings.
Lorna Simpson: Third Person Punta Della Dogana, Dorsoduro
The largest institutional museum show to date for Simpson, who had a show at the Met last year.
