The Week’s Muse: 24 May

The major news this week – still unfolding – is the damage done to the Glasgow School of Art, where a fire broke out yesterday afternoon.

Fire at the Glasgow School of Art

The Glasgow School of Art’s iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh building was engulfed by flames yesterday afternoon. The building was safely evacuated, and initial reports suggest that the damage to the building and its contents is less extensive than it might have been.

William Holman Hunt’s ‘Isabella’ to be sold by the Delaware Art Museum

Should a museum, purportedly in order to save its head, sell off the jewel in its crown? Lisa Zeiger argues that the Delaware Art Museum’s decision to sell one of the works from its celebrated Pre-Raphaelite collection is misguided.

Florida pastor convicted of trying to sell fake Hirsts

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

A man in Florida was jailed for six months for attempting to sell on fake Damien Hirst paintings. But the incident has prompted some commentators to question Hirst’s own attitude to authenticity.

Michael Schmidt wins the fifth Prix Pictet

The Prix Pictet supports photographers who confront pressing environmental and social issues in their work. Schmidt’s photographs can be seen with those of 10 other shortlisted artists at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Cutting Loose

How do you celebrate the completion of a tapestry? Claudia Massie writes about the ‘cutting off’ ceremony for Scottish Opera’s new piece, designed by Alison Watt and made at Dovecot Studios.