Exhibition of the week
Fergal Stapleton
In Sheridan Le Fanu’s ghost story Schalcken the Painter, a 17th-century Dutch artist meets an undead corpse; the chiaroscuro, bloody tints, eerie phantoms and spectral lights in Stapleton’s new paintings mix old master echoes with a slice of gothic horror as if they were painted by Schalcken himself. Quotations from Rembrandt are seen through a glass, very darkly. It may have opened a bit late for Halloween, but this will spook up your winter nicely.
• Carl Freedman Gallery, London, until 10 December
Also showing
Adriaen van de Velde
The quiet and mystery of 17th-century Dutch landscape painting is one of art’s most subtle joys, and Van de Velde one of its first practitioners.
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, until 15 January
The Radical Eye
Man Ray, Tina Modotti, Brassaï and Dorothea Lange are among the revolutionary photographers of the modernist age in this exhibition from the collection of Sir Elton John.
• Tate Modern, London, 10 November to 7 May
JMW Turner
Tremendous visions of sea and sky enflame the Margate beachfront with their incandescant colours.
• Turner Contemporary, Margate, until 8 January
Benedict Drew
A glowing head of Richard Branson features in this spectacular installation amid one of Britain’s great art collections.
• Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, until 26 February
Masterpiece of the week
This monstrous masterpiece delights in flesh and violence with a grotesque exuberance worthy of Francis Bacon.
• National Gallery, London
Image of the week
A ghostly figure is seen advancing – or departing – in Susan Burnstine’s photograph, taken on her uniquely customised camera. She suffers from night terrors, and uses her photography to tackle them. “My mother, who was a musician and artist, suggested I draw, paint or sculpt my dreams to understand them,” she told Edward Siddons. “She taught me to articulate them in a positive light and, in the process, free myself from their power. And that’s why I shoot: to create beauty out of trauma.”
What we learned this week
Picasso used his daughter’s faeces as paint
His widow, meanwhile, may have hidden paintings from his family
The National Maritime Museum’s Emma Hamilton exhibition is a five-star hit
Alex Bartsch is on a mission to find the British locations on classic reggae LP covers
The National Gallery is trying to buy this painting of Wellington
The earthquake in Italy’s Norcia region devastated beautiful churches – and it’s hard to look at
Agnes Martin paintings are embroiled in an authentication row
There’s a new theory about why Van Gogh cut off his ear
We meet collectors of the macabre, from ouija boards to papier-mache skeletons
Get involved
Our Beyond Caravaggio and Artist Rooms: Andy Warhol private view events are sold out, but book now for Night at the Museum at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on 29 November.
Our A-Z of Art series continues – share your art with the theme ‘M for majesty’
And check out the entries for the theme ‘L for London’
Don’t forget
To follow us on Twitter: @GdnArtandDesign
