Notre-Dame finds its Virgin, a restored masterpiece by Rembrandt, a record in sight for a dinosaur… the 5 pieces of information you should remember this week

The Virgin and Child, a famous 14th century statue that miraculously survived the fire of April 15, 2019, is making its grand return to Notre-Dame de Paris, while in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is carefully looking at one of his masterpieces: the Night watch by Rembrandt. The London school loses one of its most eminent representatives (and yet little known in France), Drawing Lab looks to the future and the auction of a gigantic dinosaur makes us dizzy. Tour of the world of arts in 5 news items.

1. The Virgin and Child who survived the fire is back at Notre-Dame

After five years spent at the Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois church, the Virgin and Child will return to its place within the grounds of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Friday November 15 at the end of the day. The 14th century statue was found intact in the middle of the rubble after the fire of April 15, 2019. It then earned the nickname of the “Standing Virgin”. His return will begin with a torchlight procession, before the blessing given by the Archbishop of Paris on the square in front of Notre-Dame at 7 p.m.

2. Vulcan, the largest dinosaur ever offered at auction

It is 150 million years old, measures 20 m long and weighs two and a half tonnes: it is Vulcan, an apatosaurus (formerly called brontosaurus) from Wyoming and a unique lot from the November 16 sale. This exceptional specimen has 80% of its native bones, and is estimated at €3 million to €5 million. Remember that the record for a dinosaur skeleton is currently held by Sotheby's, with $44.6 million for a stegosaurus sold last July in New York.

3. The Restoration of The Night Watch by Rembrandt begins

On Tuesday, November 12, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (Netherlands) announced that operation “Night Watch” had entered a crucial phase. After five years of in-depth research and re-tensioning of the canvas, a team of eight restorers began the process of removing the varnish from Rembrandt's painting. This delicate operation is carried out before the eyes of the public in a glass case installed in the gallery of honor, created for the occasion by the French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. “ Removing the varnish will reveal the turbulent history of The Night Watchit will be a truly unique experience for visitors to be able to follow the process so closely », rejoices Taco Dibbits, director of the Rijksmuseum.

4. Drawing Lab Project 2025 reveals its winners

Artist Elika Hedayat and exhibition curator Valentina Ulisse have been awarded the Drawing Lab Project 2025 production grant, its selection committee announced. Amounting €20,000, the funds are intended for an exhibition of contemporary drawing. The selected duo's project, “Haroum”, will be revealed in October 2025. It represents a feminist utopia in which women live in harmony with the environment.

5. Death of Frank Auerbach, one of the painters of the London school with Freud and Bacon

British artist Frank Auerbach died on November 11 at the age of 93. Born in Berlin in 1931, he was sent to England in 1939 by his Jewish parents to escape the rise of Nazism. Frank Auerbach lived and worked in London all his life. Known for his psychological portraits and colorful London landscapes, he was one of the painters of the London School alongside Francis Bacon's Lucian Freud. A figurative artist, he applied his paint in layers, often described as close to sculpture, to create images with a particular harsh light. The Tate Britain dedicated a major retrospective to him in 2015. “Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads”, his latest exhibition, took place in February 2024 at the Courtauld Gallery in London.
Mary McCartney on Frank Auerbach