Émile Zola (1840-1902)

The next two sales of autographs from the Aristophil Collection include a few items that have never come up for auction before, but also a collection of historic objects and some treasures, paintings and drawings.

Most of Feuillet's drawings of these key moments in contemporary French history will go to a major Parisian museum.

The sole recipient of this correspondence, which date from 1876 -1901, is none other than the writer's wife, Alexandrine. The set, which also includes 4 cards and 34 telegrams, was classified as a French historical monument in 1990. It is a "capital contribution to the knowledge of Zola, his thought and his struggles".

Speaking to Roselyne Bachelot, Roussel stated "I warn you that everything must be done so that this manuscript remains in France and enters into the national library collection.", in reaction to the sale by Sotheby's of the adaptation of the novel Germinal into a play by its author.

Hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art on June 14, 6-9 pm, the in-person event sees 8 NYC museums come together to present the 44th annual edition, comprising exhibitions, musical performances and art-making activities. Participants include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Jewish Museum and Neue Galerie New York.

Saudi Arabia is planning to invest more than $100 B in building a futuristic “linear” city stretching 103 miles across the desert. Construction is slated to start this year on ‘The Line’ – the planned car-free city fueled by “100% clean energy” and with underground ultra-high-speed transit. (Architectural Digest)

This Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) painting found in an antique dealer’s collection recalls that, despite his academic reputation, he was a bold artist with no peer when it came to creating powerful images.

The American artist’s monumental sculpture City has been completed after over 50 years of construction. It measures 1.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide (2.4 x 0.8 km) and includes structures that are reminiscent of “ancient ceremonial constructions” as well as geoglyphs designed to be seen from above. (Dezeen)

Archeologists discovered a Neolithic circle of deep shafts, measuring 1.2 miles in diameter, located 1.9 miles north-east of the prehistoric site of Stonehenge. Professor and lead archeologist on the project Vincent Gaffney stated, “This is an unprecedented find of major significance within the UK.” (Guardian)

Ancient Rome’s oldest and most famous road is now the heart of a major archeological park.