At its best, art has a way of illuminating life’s murky complexities and the idiosyncrasies of human behavior. Spanning genre, media, and centuries of history, the exhibitions we recommend in New York this week showcase art that does just that.

It’s a Manhattan-centric week, with our critics enraptured by cult favorite Sharon Moulton’s solo show at MoMA (ending this Sunday, April 21) and moody landscape paintings by mid-century Italian artist Luigi Zuccheri at Karma gallery on the Lower East Side. John Yau reviews a landmark exhibition at NYU’s newly reopened (and renamed) Grey Art Museum, which focuses on the hundreds of American artists who moved to Paris after World War II.

The Met is exploring a unique bit of historical ephemera: covered portraits. An under-recognized yet widespread Renaissance tradition, a new show featuring more than 60 objects traces the practice of concealing paintings behind mirrors, curtains, and other works of art from its Ancient Roman origins through today.

As you traipse about Manhattan, make plans to see two of the newest public art additions to the cityscape: Santa Clara Pueblo artist Rose B. Simpson’s Seed just opened at Madison Square Park, as did Italian artist Giulia Cenci’s “secondary forest” at the High Line.

A new PBS American Masters Shorts documentary about Augusta Savage — the acclaimed Harlem Renaissance sculptor, art educator, and The Cooper Union alumna — screens as part of the Gardiner Foundation Great Hall Forum series on April 24 at 6:30pm at The Cooper Union in New York City.

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“I can’t recall the last time I saw a museum audience sit through a work’s entire duration — here, around 15 minutes — not to mention more than once, and remarkably absent the company of their phones.”

“The exhibition goes a long way in representing the early work of artists I want to know more about. [...] With more than 130 works by nearly 70 artists... we can sense the vibrancy and openness of the Paris scene for Americans, and how much was happening, despite the lack of strong commercial support.”

“The paintings, done in tempera, can be crude and lacking in perspective yet they stand as powerful emblems of emotion and faith.”

“I keep hearing people call the Whitney Biennial ‘safe.’ It’s usually art-world people and critics, who tend to say it every two years, as if the museum has ever intentionally sought controversy or embraced radical politics. That’s never been the case. For that reason, there’s nothing safer than calling the Whitney Biennial ‘safe.’” — Hakim Bishara

Read more

More on this year’s biennial

It’s Bye Boomers, Hello Millennials at This Year’s Whitney Biennial

Can’t Make it to the Whitney Biennial? Stream These Films Online Instead

First Impressions From the 2024 Whitney Biennial

The two-part exhibition features the work of graduating artists across disciplines, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and integrated practices.

Learn more

Rose B. Simpson created this season’s sculptural installation at Madison Square Park. We visited the unveiling and spoke with the artist.

The 24th Street stretch of Manhattan’s High Line is now sprouting heads and branches, thanks to artist Giulia Cenci.

Hidden Faces: Covered Portraits of the Renaissance at The Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the paintings concealed behind mirrors, in folded diptychs, and on the backs of other works.

For over 100 years, the face of Black Gilded Age art model Hettie Anderson has gazed over Manhattan’s Grand Army Plaza, but it wasn’t until 2023 that she received official public recognition in words rather than in likeness.

Highlights at last weekend’s Dumbo Open Studios included work by Kate Teale, Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong, and Swoon, and a conversation with Laura Karetzky.

Faith Ringgold passed away at her home in Englewood, New Jersey, this past Saturday at age 93.

Twenty-eight visual artists received the 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship, including New York-based artist Lorraine O’Grady.

Oh no — the Hudson Yards “Vessel” is reopening.

The very first Floyd Bennett Field! Public Arts Festival is this weekend. Featuring dozens of artists, highlights include original projection works on historic airplane hangars by Derrick Adams, Peter Burr, Eto Otitigbe, and Ryan Hartley Smith. [Sponsored]

Celebrate Earth Day this year by creating upcycled craft projects, cyanotypes, and more at free, family-friendly activities at Socrates Sculpture Park on April 20. [socratessculpturepark.org]

Want to explore NYC? Here’s a list of 190 free walking tours happening next month. [gothamist.com]

Matawana Is Brooklyn’s First Black Woman–Owned Dispensary [thecut.com]

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