The Italian government’s latest decision is in hock to the port’s own interests

Anna Somers Cocks on the revelations published in the New Yorker magazine

A French study of the Gulf museums sees them as the Versailles of the sheikhs—a step towards autocracy

Russian art patron Igor Tsukanov has created a show at the Saatchi Gallery about artists who have risked protesting against conditions in Russia since 1991

Improvements are well documented, but rules are still inadequately enforced

Art dealer Thaddaeus Ropac and curator Maya Allison tell us how the nation’s creative ambitions have blossomed. Plus: Silver Lion-winning musician and artist Hassan Khan on his Abu Dhabi Art performance

Nudes? non-Islamic religions? Questioning the nature of God?

As Abu Dhabi Art fair opens, we speak to the Saudi artists Manal Al Dowayan and Ahmed Mater. Plus: Iraq's Dia Azzawi on creating the Arab world's Guernica

Is the UAE now the art capital of the Middle East?

New museum's universal approach derives from the open-mindedness of the founder of the UAE

With all eyes on Abu Dhabi this week, we speak to the architect Jean Nouvel on designing the Arab world's first universal museum. Plus: a preview of Abu Dhabi Art fair

Not just a spectacular building, the museum is a treasure house of art arranged in a radical, intercultural manner

Galleries are losing huge sums to cybercrime, what makes them vulnerable? Plus: the dubious restoration along the Camino di Santiago.

Emirati citizens talk about the museum's collection and global impact

What will happen when the only painting in private hands by the Renaissance master heads to auction? Plus: the New Museum's big new show on gender, and our literary editor talks 18th-century princesses

Richard Artschwager's Triptych IV, Fucking Painting has a double meaning

Leading Emirati thinker, Zaki Nusseibeh, on why the UAE is more humanistic than its neighbours

The town council proposes digital monitoring and a charge to enter St Mark’s Square

Ilya Glazunov gained the backing of all Russia’s presidents from Khrushchev onwards

Federico Cerruti was extraordinary in his extreme ordinariness and austerity

Musée des Arts Décoratifs dedicates main areas to collaboration with the House of Dior and the artistic directors who defined it

She led a seven-year, £10m project to restore the buildings, rehang the galleries and conserve the collection

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris has curated a blockbuster exhibition with more than 400 dresses

Jane da Mosto wins Osella d’Oro prize

Highest prices for artists already in the international art system

The curator Christine Tohme broadens the event’s potential audience by also taking it to Dakar, Istanbul, Ramallah and Beirut

Rediscovered work from the 20th century has new relevance today

Social activist, art-centre founder Christine Tohmé explodes the concept with her Sharjah Biennial

In little more than a year, the artists and scientists—and, crucially, the funds—have been gathered for a unique biennial. The journey begins this month

Curator Christine Tohmé also takes it to Dakar, Istanbul, Ramallah and Beirut