As summer begins to settle, August invites a more gentle rhythm of discovery before September’s bustling-to-the-brim cultural season. Seek respite from the heat in the Nordic capitals, or venture onwards to Italy, the USA and Indonesia, where exhibitions, festivals and extraordinary craftsmanship offer fresh perspectives on art, design and the enduring beauty of the handmade.
CHICAGO, USA
Lee Miller: Fearless
Bringing together some 150 photographs, Lee Miller: Fearless traces the extraordinary career of one of the 20th century’s most compelling and versatile photographers. From Surrealist experiments in Paris to haunting wartime reportage for Vogue, the exhibition also unveils rarely seen photographs from Miller’s years in Egypt.
August 29, 2026 - December 7, 2026, The Art Institute Chicago, CHICAGO, USA
ROME, ITALY
Metamorphoses
Following its success at the Rijksmuseum, the partnership exhibition now moves to Rome, where tales of jealousy, lust and deceitful anthropomorphic gods take centre stage. At the Galleria Borghese, Metamorphoses explores Ovid’s inexhaustible wellspring of passion, power and transformation.
From Titian and Caravaggio to Louise Bourgeois and contemporary video, the exhibition traces 2,000 years of artistic reinvention, revealing why the ancient poem remains a true “Bible for artists.”
Through September 20, 2026, Galleria Borghese, ROME, ITALY
LONDON, UK & LOS ANGELES, USA
Marilyn Monroe: The Centenary
A century after her birth, Marilyn Monroe continues to captivate. As major exhibitions in London, Santa Monica and Los Angeles revisit her life through extraordinary photographs, costumes and personal stories, read Anthea Gerrie’s deep dive for Cabana into the woman behind the icon: an artist of remarkable intelligence, vulnerability and ambition.
Through September 6, 2026. “Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait”, National Portrait Gallery, LONDON, ENGLAND.
Through September 5, 2026, “Marilyn Monroe: A Silent Life”, Peter Fetterman Gallery, SANTA MONICA, USA.,
Through September 5, 2026, “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon” , The Academy Museum, LOS ANGELES, USA.
ATHENS, GREECE
Inspirations. Ancient Greek Art living in Italy
Bringing together 38 masterpieces that rarely leave Italy, this show examines the enduring influence of ancient Greek art on Roman civilisation and beyond. Ceramics, bronzes and marble sculptures trace a cultural dialogue that continued to shape artistic expression well into the 20th century.
Through August 30, 2026, The Acropolis Museum, ATHENS, GREECE
PHILADELPHIA, USA
Americana: Photographs 1850–1950
Coinciding with the United States’ 250th anniversary, Americana explores a century of photography through tintypes, postcards, collages and vernacular images. Together they offer a nuanced portrait of American identity, told through both celebrated and anonymous photographers.
Through October 11, 2026, Philadelphia Museum of Arts, PHILADELPHIA, USA
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