Dirck Hals (1591-1656)

Museums in the Netherlands were the victim of two thefts last year, while closed due to coronavirus restrictions. A 58-year-old man has now been arrested, suspected of stealing Spring Garden and Two Laughing Boys, worth $25M together. The works have not yet been recovered. (Reuters)

The investment company of collector David Kowitz, Fairlight Art Ventures, co-seller of Hal's fake portrait, was ordered to repay $5.3 million to Sotheby's following his appeal. The auction house had to compensate the buyer of the painting after the forgery was spotted by Orion Analytical.

Following the Central Netherlands Court’s ruling on Friday, the man – unidentified in proceedings – who stole the works from two small Dutch museums in 2020 must also pay the owner of the Hals painting $10.2 million. Both the Hals and the van Gogh paintings remain missing. (ARTnews)

Deemster currently directs the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and will begin in her new role at Kunsthaus Zürich in January 2023. She will succeed Christoph Becker, who has directed the Swiss institution for two decades.

Yesterday, the 17th-century Dutch artist, who painted alongside Frans Hals, went mainstream with her very own Google Doodle. The doodle uses her c. 1630 Self-Portrait which is in the National Gallery of Art collection in Washington D.C., which one of about 35 known works by Leyster. 

In Lorraine, the contents of a very fine residence set off to new lives. An opportunity to discover some rare Dutch marquetry and a spirited 18th-century bust.

Produced in Antwerp in around 1635, this painting by David Teniers the Younger is striking for its refined execution, beautiful colours, tranquil composition and the players' expressions.

Far more than an allegory of taste, this "portrait" of a boy by the Brussels artist Michael Sweerts explores children's status in the Northern countries' Golden Age of painting.

Works of this quality by Court painter Denis Van Alsloot rarely go under the hammer. The one here was commissioned by Archduke Albert of Austria and his wife Isabella of Spain to immortalize one of the most impressive celebrations during their reign.

A painting by the great Jean-Honoré Fragonard was discovered by Mr. Petit, in Épernay, and the Cabinet Turquin. This Philosopher has not been seen since 1779, and gets spring off to a spanking start.