Gallery Shows Featuring Estates Are Everywhere. Here Are 5 to Catch

"The surge in interest in historical artist reappraisals and reevaluations has been on the rise over the past couple of years (fostered in no small part by fairs like Independent 20th Century), part of a larger shift in how the art historical canon is considered-namely as something malleable and evolving. Earlier this month, Artnet's Kate Brown wrote about the growing trend of young dealers taking on artist estates, something typically associated with well-established, blue-chip galleries or confined to the realm of major institutional retrospectives."

"January has historically been a tricky spot for shows. Anecdotally, artists and gallerists regularly complain about the January slot being a tough sell despite the frenzy of receptions and audiences resuming the gallery show rounds. And from a practical standpoint, the timing and logistics can be thorny as it follows the end-of-year block of holidays when nearly everyone has their OOO auto responses on."

January has historically been a difficult month for gallery shows, complicated by post-holiday timing and logistics and perceived as a tough sell despite resumed receptions and audiences. The current New York gallery slate shows a notable increase in exhibitions devoted to deceased artists and artist estates. Interest in historical reappraisals and reevaluations has grown in recent years, aided by fairs such as Independent 20th Century and by a broader view of the art-historical canon as malleable. Young dealers increasingly take on artist estates once reserved for established galleries, and museum solo exhibitions focused on dead artists rose from 18 percent in 2019 to nearly 50 percent in 2025. The momentum suggests continued expansion of shows centered on historical artists.

Read at Artnet News