Exhibition of the Week
Comrades in Art: Artists Against Fascism – In the 1930s, Europe was descending into extremism. Artists, poets, and intellectuals united to defend Europe against fascism, as revealed in this exhibition based on a recent book about the Artists International Association (AIA). At Towner Eastbourne until 18 October.
Also Showing
Hidden: Photography and Displacement Under the Khmer Rouge
A photographic story of survival and memory preservation under the Khmer Rouge, told by Charles Fox and Prum Sisaphantha (Pantha). At The Wiener Holocaust Library, London, until 15 May.
Early Netherlandish Drawings
Newly attributed drawings from the workshop of the 15th-century artist Rogier van der Weyden are among the northern Renaissance wonders on display. At British Museum, London, until 20 September.
Katharina Grosse: I Set Out, I Walked Fast
Sprawling Technicolor installations and paintings by German artist Katharina Grosse. At White Cube, London, until 31 May.
Handpicked: Painting Flowers from 1900 to Today
Vanessa Bell, Henri Rousseau, and others celebrate the flower in modern art. At Kettle's Yard, Cambridge, until 6 September.
Image of the Week
Sylvia Sleigh painted friends, critics, and strangers – anyone she found interesting and attractive. A new show of the Welsh artist brings together seven of her beautiful people, including a mesmerising portrait of Johanna Lawrenson, an elegant brunette with enviably long legs, inspired by Sleeping Venus.
What We Learned
- From a new pier to 1.3 tonnes of hotel bed linen, Lydia Ourahmane's work speaks of Venice itself.
- Ukraine's defiant origami deer has made it to the Venice Biennale.
- The mystery sitter in a Holbein portrait might be Anne Boleyn.
- Gagosian London will create a lost 'cloud' by Christo.
- Multisensory installations could make original artworks less exciting for children.
- 'Politics of hate' should exclude the US from Venice Biennale, says Anish Kapoor.
- A stained-glass treasure by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris has been restored.
- An anarchist illustrator drew Spain's civil war from the frontline.
- One of the last residents of Gaudí's masterwork Casa Milà is 'used to all the visitors'.
- Venice Biennale artist Lubaina Himid is not feeling very establishment.
- Photographer Eric Lusito has been on a scientific journey through space and time.
Masterpiece of the Week
Christ Carried to the Tomb by Sisto Badalocchio, after 1609. The dead body of Christ has a silvery shine like the full moon, a terrible pallor that dominates this tiny painting on copper. The hard metal surface intensifies the stark narrative: Christ's followers carry his corpse to be buried by dead of night. Moonlit sky peeps through shady trees. This intimate image was meant for private contemplation on mortality. At National Gallery, London.
