Today in the Art World...

Figure Painting is back from vacation this morning. Here's what happened in the art world this weekend (and on Monday and Tuesday). Later today, a brief recap of what you missed over the holiday.

Ettore Sottsass, the architect and designer whose work ranged from a Baccarat decanter to a plastic Olivetti typewriter, died on Monday.

Senators Charles Grassley and Dianne Feinstein are calling for an investigation of $250,000 worth of travel expenditures racked up by W. Richard West, Jr., the founding director of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Egypt is looking to copyright its pyramids, the Sphinx, and other ancient sites on its soil.

Bloomberg's Linda Sandler ticks off the most memorable lots to fly off or flop on the auction block this past year.