Catherine Hickley

German Academy of Arts criticises 'dangerous' violations of artistic freedom

The statement follows a number of exhibition cancellations because of curators’ or artists’ views on the Middle East conflict

Dealer Johann König opens second Berlin gallery in former telegraph office

This is the first König space to launch since a number of artists left the gallery's roster last year

Berlin’s state museums raise ticket prices as costs climb

“We have to increase income and reduce spending,” says Hermann Parzinger, the president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation

Caspar David Friedrich sketchbook to be sold in Berlin proposed for national heritage list

The auction house, Grisebach, says the sketchbook’s candidacy for the list will not affect plans for today’s sale

Candice Breitz exhibition in Germany is cancelled over her Middle East views

The artist says the “level of German self-righteousness is beyond absurd”

Swiss government approves panel to assess claims for art acquired in Nazi and colonial eras

New panel is to find “fair and just solutions” for disputed works in museums

German photo biennial cancelled after curator’s posts are deemed antisemitic

The host cities warn that the cancellation jeopardises “the future of the entire event"

Documenta finding panel resigns out of 'grave concern' for show’s future

The committee's mass resignation follows the departure of Ranjit Hoskoté, a writer who came under pressure for signing a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions statement

New antisemitism scandal hits Documenta as panel member resigns

Ranjit Hoskoté, who was on the jury charged with selecting Documenta's next artistic director, steps down amid furore over him signing a statement from BDS, a movement that German parliament describes as “antisemitic”

Jewish cabaret artist’s heirs file suit for return of 12 works by Schiele

Vienna museums sued for return of works held by collector murdered in Dachau

Hamburg art collector and patron Harald Falckenberg dies aged 80

Falckenberg, one of Germany’s most important private art collectors, once said he was drawn to “outsiders and freaks"

Christie’s to auction Pechstein painting after settlement reached with heir

Hilda Graetz sold 'Still Life With a Cup' to fund her new life in South Africa after her art dealer father died in a concentration camp

Kunsthaus Zurich advisers quit in conflict over new Bührle exhibition

The experts were hired after a previous iteration of the show was deemed inadequate in addressing the dark legacy of Emil Georg Bührle, who made his fortune selling weapons to Nazi Germany

German parliament approves Berlin centre devoted to Nazi terror in occupied Europe

The new centre is to “include groups of victims who have so far received less attention,” the Bundestag says

Bavaria recovers a Baroque painting with help from the FBI

The landscape was in the possession of the family of an American soldier who had served in post-war Germany

Dutch dealer returns Weenix landscape stolen in the Second World War to Dresden museum

The painting, acquired by Augustus III, hung in a Soviet general’s home after the war

‘Very short-sighted’: Swiss museum’s decision to sell Cézanne paintings sparks outrage

Three works will be going up for auction at Christie's New York—but with an unusual caveat

Georg Baselitz: ‘I continue despite an almost complete lack of pressure’

With a new show opening at the Serpentine, the German artist explains how the past continues to inform his work

Bruegel, Marvel and warrior women: the inventiveness of Nicole Eisenman

The French-born artist’s retrospective at the Whitechapel Gallery captures her diverse influences

What will German monasteries do with colonial-era objects in their collections?

Wide-ranging nationwide survey will catalogue artefacts held by monasteries and convents that were collected by missionaries in Africa, Asia and South America

Former German museum worker sentenced to prison for stealing and selling paintings

He replaced a painting by Franz von Stuck with a forgery and sold the original

German culture minister promises new powers for Nazi-looted art panel

Claudia Roth says the commission’s current mandate is “inadequate” and “we are not living up to our responsibilities"

German Nazi-looted art panel calls for more powers and a new law

The advisory commission said it sees the current framework as “unsatisfactory” and “in need of an urgent overhaul”

Barrister Hannatu Musawa is appointed Nigeria's culture minister

The lawyer and activist may play a key role in negotiating the return of Benin bronzes

Dresden museum returns four objects to Australia’s Kaurna community

The spear, digging stick, cudgel and net were brought home by German missionaries nearly 200 years ago

Crime news

Swiss court sentences former museum cashier for embezzling more than $1m

The 54-year-old woman used ticket-sale tricks at the Fondation Beyeler near Basel to fund luxury cars and holidays

EU dealers lobby to slash VAT rates on art sales

A directive that aims to create a single value-added tax system will enable member countries to set their own reduced rates internally