The Easel

Archives: Frieze

27th October 2026

Salman Toor’s Men in the City

Toor’s first exhibition in London is attracting rave reviews that will only add to a soaring reputation. Pakistani-born, he mainly paints “narrative” portraits and group figure compositions that explore the struggle to achieve “a sense of belonging, both culturally and emotionally.” Painted in “velvety” oils, they clearly reference Old Master works, of which Toor is an avid student. Says one critic, “He can do everything. … one of the most sought-after painters of his generation.”

Frick Collection Puts Spotlight on Siena’s Renaissance Role with Rare Bronze Sculpture Exhibition

Siena has long been overshadowed by glorious Florence. Renewed appreciation of early Renaissance Sienese painting is occurring and it is happening in sculpture too. Sienese sculptors focused heavily on bronze, even though it was more expensive than marble. Donatello and Vecchietta were widely influential, including on a later Michelangelo. They wanted their bronze works to have more “physical and emotional reality. [This was] a golden age of bronze sculpture”.