Venice Biennale Opens Amid Political Turmoil, Cranach Painting Found in Hitler Photo

The 61st Venice Biennale opened on Saturday without ceremony due to disputes over Russia and Israel's participation. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said Putin won, criticizing Biennale director Pietrangelo Buttafuoco for not consulting the government on Russia's involvement. Deputy PM Matteo Salvini warned against censorship. The jury resigned after proposing to exclude Israel and Russia from awards; Romanian-Israeli sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru, designer of the Israeli pavilion, said he felt isolated. Over 70 artists withdrew from prizes in protest of replacing the jury with a public vote. In other news, Kermit Oswald, Keith Haring's childhood friend, recalled their bond and revealed he informed Haring's family about his HIV status. Martin Bailey of The Art Newspaper reported new provenance clues for Lucas Cranach the Elder's 'Venus with Cupid the Honey Thief' at the National Gallery, London. A 1940s photo shows it in Hitler's Munich apartment; journalist Patricia Lochridge took it from a depot in 1945. The pre-1935 ownership remains unknown, possibly stolen from Jewish owners. In Düsseldorf, Museum Kunstpalast director Felix Krämer pursues a customer-oriented model with children's previews and 'Grumpy Guide' tours, boosting attendance.