Focus on European Art

CARVED SPLENDORS: Florentine Baroque Frames at the Medici Court
2026-01-28 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Davide Gasparotto, Senior Curator of Paintings, Getty Museum
Tours of Exhibition “The Florentine Baroque” from the Haukohl Family Collection,”
Refreshments and Lecture

FOCUS Travels to Venice for Carnevale
2026-02-10 - 2026-02-26
FOCUS friend Paola Vojnovic takes FOCUS to La Serenissima,

Questions: email FOCUSonEuropeanArt@outlook.com

Real or Ideal: The Boundaries of Naturalism in the Italian Renaissance
2026-02-24 17:30 - 18:30
Jennifer Adams, PhD Italian Art History

Jim Clark Contemplative Chapel, Saint Barnabas, Scottsdale

Special Event For Philanthropists: The Extraordinary (and Unexpected) Career of Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici
2026-03-05 16:30 - 19:00
Due to the special role Philanthropists played in enabling FOCUS to be able to sponsor the exhibition: Florentine Baroque: The Haukohl Collection, the FOCUS Board is delighted to be able to include Philanthropists in this invitation:

J.P. Morgan, together with Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington Director and CEO, and the Board of Trustees of Phoenix Art Museum, invite you to an exclusive evening with Alessio Assonitis, Director at Medici Archive Project.

Discover the remarkable story of Cosimo de’ Medici, who rose from hardship and obscurity to become the founder of the Grand Ducal dynasty of Tuscany. Despite limited resources in his youth, Cosimo’s financial ingenuity—honed through necessity—became central to his success. Alessio Assonitis will explore how Cosimo’s shrewd management, innovative investments, and strategic alliances restored Florence’s prosperity and stability, transforming the city into a dynamic and modern state. The discussion will also offer insights into Cosimo’s personal life and enduring legacy, including unpublished artifacts from the Medici Archive Project.

SALON: Gladiators: Male and Female in the Roman Empire
2026-03-31
Best-selling author Ross King speaks about the Roman gladiatorial scene with emphasis on Phoenix Art Musuem’s “Police Verso.”

Spring Social at Larsen Gallery
2026-04-15 17:30 - 19:00
Members, wear your name badge proudly and invite someone that should get involved with our group as your guest.
Mix and mingle with other FOCUS members, their guests, as we enjoy the public preview of the upcoming Larsen Gallery Spring art auction.
Later, take in Old Town for browsing other fine galleries or dinner.

Salon: Tetra String Quartet
2026-11-13 17:30
Enjoy these talented local musicians for an Interactive, fun-filled evening at a private home. The special treat is that the lead will be guest violinist, Dr Spencer Ekenes. Bring your ears first and your questions later!

Private Home
Refreshments will be served

For Patrons and Philanthropists | Engaging the Senses: Medieval Art in the Cathedral of Santiago Compostela
2026-12-08 17:00 - 18:00
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 5:00 pm

Zee Wilson, PhD Candidate in Art History at ASU and 2025-26 FOCUS Scholarship Recipient

Engaging the Senses: Medieval Art in the Cathedral of Santiago Compostela

Private Home, Wine and hors d’oeuvres

Collaboration with Phoenix Art Museum
2027-01-28 17:00 - 18:00
Tentatively Thursday, January 28, 2027, at 5 pm

To celebrate the recent acquisition of “Trifle” by contemporary British artist Flora Yukhnovich,

Flora will discuss her inspiration and her process in creating her large-scale abstract paintings in colors reminiscent of the Rococo.

Refreshments provided

Salon: What, How and Why of Museum Acquisitions
2027-02-23 16:30
Gloria Groom, Chair and Winton Green Curator
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Executive Director of Initiatives in France
Chevalier, Légion d’honneur

What, How and Why of Museum Acquisitions.

Gloria will present some recent additions in the Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe at the Art Institute of Chicago and the philosophy, pragmatism and the HUNT for the transformative object.

Refreshments will be served

Location to be determined
