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Spanning Renaissance masters and pop artists, contemporary greats and even a renowned Mexican film-maker, galleries as well as galleries across the US have a series of dazzling shows on the horizon in 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed several years ago in 2023, now merely a placeholder listing on a major museum's online schedule, this major retrospective of one of the pioneering figures of the Pop Art era comes with some pretty heavy expectations. The institution plans to utilize its decades-old holdings of nearly 500 works by Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, numerous loans from collections globally. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor along with another, will be centering Venice with two linked shows: the former museum presents a celebration of the city as a source of high art for hundreds of years, while the other will focus on what impressionist Claude Monet thought of the enchanting city of canals. Monet himself was daunted by the prospect of depicting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, among them the masterpiece *The Grand Canal*. 6 January-2 August and 21 March-26 July.

Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection

Celebrating the quarter-century of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu revisits more than 1m ft of footage that was left out of the released movie, crafting an immersive experience that doubles as a homage to celluloid. Reportedly the director delved into the vaults to create what he called “not a tribute, but a resurrection” of one of his most beloved films. It's possible the exhibit will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the hardship he simultaneously documents. Late Winter through Summer.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

The Guggenheim is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation creator a major career survey, beginning with her initial pieces and progressing through to a fresh collection of works made from scrap metal and steel tubing. Inspired by “the 60s” and Minimalist art, Bove frequently takes her components directly from the city environment, producing intriguing and unusual sculptures that have appeared in some of the country’s most notable art spots. Having had major shows in Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her three decades of work are ripe for a thorough overview. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Anyone who know a certain publication *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s papercut *Icarus* – it’s in fact one of 20 cut-paper works that he paired with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. This spring, a Midwestern museum exhibits all 20 of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition since the museum obtained the works in 1948 – as well as around 50 additional pieces by the artist. The cut paper works were part of a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Italian master artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino is ranked with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the renowned masters of the Italian Renaissance – but he has rarely been honored with a major show on American soil. A premier East Coast institution seeks to change that with this landmark show. Raphael is well-known for masterpieces like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this is poised as a major event. 29 March–28 June.

Shu Lea Cheang: Lover Love

A New York Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art will host a major, large-scale film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and film-maker Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with much of her work, Cheang here explores the daily struggles of transgender existence. The installation is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston showcases new work from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is known for transforming unconventional materials to make elaborate, queer-themed sculptures. The show showcases new work based on the concept of same-sex marriage. This continues her ongoing project of employing reclaimed materials as a meaningful gesture of defiance. Late Summer 2026 into early 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Expanding upon the pioneering work of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are conditioned to inhabit space differently, this show investigates how body language influences unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art as old as 2000 BC. Here, Wex’s findings are displayed and juxtaposed with the work of modern diverse artists. Fall 2026 into 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the haunting silhouette art of an emerging artist. Beginning 5 March, a prominent gallery is featuring the work of rising Black artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum revisits 80s graffiti artist Keith Haring with a show of his three-dimensional works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of Georgia O’Keefe’s architectural studies. Simultaneously, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the colorful work of artist Kim Chong Hak.