Laura Cumming’s best art of 2017

There was revolutionary fervour from Russia, dazzling critiques of the American dream, and unforgettable faces…
• Observer critics’ reviews of the year in fullThe highest price for the ugliest painting: that was the supposed Leonardo sold for $450m last month. Does anyone really want to look at this monstrous Jesus, a heavily restored hippy scarcely anybody believes in? This was an alarming low point, where art sank from mere investment to cultural boast: Abu Dhabi buying a sur