Jeudi 23 mai 2013
Last update on 23/05/2013
Last update on 23/05/2013
The latest news in the History of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the 1930's
A New Acquisition for the Ashmolean : a Portrait of Ruskin by Millais 23/05/2013
The painting recently received as acceptance in lieu by the Ashmolean Museum is important for three reasons : the model, the artist and the context in which it was created. This portrait of Ruskin by John Everett Millais was in fact on view at (...)
Versailles Acquires a Louis XVI Clock and Sèvres Vases 22/05/2013
The château de Versailles pre-empted a Louis XVI clock decorated with an Offering to Cupid depicted by bronze figures, at an auction in Metz on 24 March 2013. It was probably produced by Charles Leroy or his son Etienne-Augustin who became (...)
The Church in Gesté Vandalized and still Threatened 16/05/2013
Is the city of Gesté above the law and the authority of the courts which judged this case ? This is at least the impression given by the mayor and his municipal council who once again voted, Monday 6 May, their determination to partially (...)
The Cour de Bar in the Palais Ducal, Dijon Victimized by Yves Lion 15/05/2013
The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon which has been under renovation work since 2008 (but which had the excellent idea of not closing and proceeding in stages), will open a new itinerary for its Medieval and Renaissance collections on 7 September. (...)
Essays in Memory of Adrienne Fontainas Published in New York 13/05/2013
We all remember that The Art Tribune published an obituary for Adrienne Fontainas (1929-2010) following her death in December 2010, detailing the achievements of this eminent researcher whose knowledge encompassed several fields (books, art, (...)
A Rembrandt (perhaps) and a Canaletto for the Getty Museum 13/05/2013
We had recounted the story of this amazing discovery here : a presumed portrait by Rembrandt, on copper, which appeared on the auction block in England in October 2007 with the attribution, "follower of Rembrandt", had sold for 2.2 million (...)
Good News for the rue du Temple 13/05/2013
There appears to be positive news concerning the discovery of architectural elements at the corner of rue du Temple and rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie in Paris. We were able to reach the owner of the cosmetics store Huygens as well as the (...)
A Landscape by Robert Seldon Duncanson Acquired by the Amon Carter Museum 13/05/2013
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art recently announced the acquisition of a work by Robert Seldon Duncanson (1821-1872), presented as the first Afro-American artist to have gained international stature. Entitled The Caves and painted in (...)
Acceptance in Lieu of Ary Scheffer for the Louvre 13/05/2013
Thanks to a donation of "acceptance in lieu", the Musée du Louvre has just added a superb tableau by Ary Scheffer, representing Ruth and Naomi to its collections. This panel still has its beautiful original frame showing quotes from the book of (...)
Péristyles, the Journal of the Amis du Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nancy 13/05/2013
An art history journal, especially one which has been around for some time, is so rare that we would like to point out a very discreet bulletin founded in 1992 which has appeared since then at regular intervals, twice a year. The title of the (...)
Architectural Elements Discovered but Threatened in the Marais 05/05/2013
While carrying out construction work on a cosmetics store at the corner of rue du Temple and rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie in the historic Marais district in Paris, well preserved architectural elements came to light. These consist of (...)
The Stockholm Museum Purchases a Terracotta by Stouf 04/05/2013
Faithful Friendship was on view at the Daniel Katz Gallery for the terracotta exhibition held in 2010. It is now a permanent resident of the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm which has just purchased it from the English art dealer. The work, (...)
A Painting by Martinus Rorby Acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago 04/05/2013
Following its rediscovery a few years ago, 19th century Danish painting is now systematically acquired by major European and American museums. While Christoph Eckersberg remains the most familiar name, he is not the only great artist of the (...)
Recent Acquisitions at the Musée Rodin 04/05/2013
Three drawings were pre-empted by the Musée Rodin at Christie’s Paris on 11 April. They come from the collection of Eugène Rehns and were held by his descendants until now ; the collector also owned sculptures by the master, some of which will (...)
Restitution and Acquisitions at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal 03/05/2013
Thanks to a surprising coincidence, the Canadian museum has acquired a magnificent painting by Gerrit van Honthorst at the same time as it returned a work by the same artist to its owners after realizing it had been looted from a Jewish family, (...)
A "cabaret" in Sèvres Porcelain Acquired by Montreal 03/05/2013
The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal had wished to acquire a Sèvres ensemble in order to enrich their Napoleon collection, for quite a while. Their wish has now been granted thanks to the purchase at Christie’s Paris on 22 and 23 April at the (...)
Gobelins par nature. Eloge de la verdure, XVIe - XIXe siècles. 03/05/2013
The subject is enticing and very much in keeping with the season. The new exhibition at the Gobelins is a hymn to nature, vegetation and the power of flowers, all less ephemerous when growing in wool and silk. About fifty tapestry and (...)
The Metropolitan Acquires a Painting by Charles Le Brun 03/05/2013
The Metropolitan Museum pronounced the winning bid of 1.44 million euros (including charges) for the Le Brun painting last 15 April at Christie’s Paris. Entitled The Sacrifice of Polyxena, the work resided at the Ritz (located in the Hôtel (...)
Continuation (and End) of Drawing Exhibitions in Paris 18/04/2013
We end our review of exhibitions in Paris organized around the Salon du Dessin on a late note since, their number having increased significantly this year, it took us more time to see them all. Before crossing the river to the left bank, we (...)
Various Exhibitions in Paris around the Salon du Dessin 16/04/2013
There are many exhibitions this year during the Salon du Dessin in private galleries around Paris. Besides the ones we mentioned earlier, here are a few more presenting some very beautiful offerings. Certainly the most outstanding is at Boquet (...)
A Marine by Penguilly L’Haridon for the Petit Palais 15/04/2013
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris has just acquired a view of the coast at Belleville, in Seine Maritime, a masterpiece by Oscar Penguilly L’Haridon from the Vincent Lécuyer Gallery in Paris. The painting dates from 1868 and was (...)
A Group of Drawings by François Chauveau Exhibited in Paris 15/04/2013
An ensemble of drawings by François Chauveau which resurfaced and are preparatory for engravings, a rather common subject given the impressive number of prints (and drawings) produced by this 17th century artist, a student of Laurent de La Hyre, (...)
A Nicolas Mignard Donated to the Louvre as a Promised Gift 15/04/2013
In our review of the 2009 Maastricht fair, we had reproduced a beautiful painting by Nicolas Mignard, The Rapt of Proserpina, presented at the Galleria Silvano & Lodi. The work had then been exhibited at the Paris-Tableau by Jean-François (...)
Four Albums by Luc-Olivier Merson Pre-empted by Orsay 13/04/2013
The four drawing ensembles by Luc-Olivier Merson for the illustrations of José Maria de Heredia’s Trophées offered in one lot by Christie’s yesterday, which we feared might be separated will in fact remain together, and permanently preserved for our (...)
A Painting by Schiavone Acquired by the Caen Museum 12/04/2013
Patrick Ramade, the director of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Caen, purchases an important old master painting nearly every year, often an Italian work, which we mention regularly on this site. His latest acquisition, made at the Galerie Canesso (...)
A Drawing by William Bouguereau Acquired by Bordeaux 12/04/2013
During the Christie’s auction this afternoon, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux pre-empted a large sheet by William Bouguereau for 9,000€ (before charges). This is a preparatory work for the figure of Hercules for the ceiling of the foyer at the (...)
Two Beautiful Auctions in Paris (Artcurial and Christie’s) 08/04/2013
Next 10th April two beautiful auctions will be taking place in Paris, one at Artcurial with an equal number of drawings and paintings as well as sculptures, the other one at Christie’s devoted solely to old master and 19th century drawings. The (...)
A Painting by Guillon-Lethière Acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art 08/04/2013
How does one explain the fact that a masterpiece can remain on the art market for several years without finding a buyer ? We kept asking ourselves this question every time we admired Erminia and the Shepherds by Guillaume Guillon-Lethière at (...)
The Musée de Picardie : the Devil Is in the Details 08/04/2013
We did not receive any direct reaction from the management at the Musée de Picardie to our article concerning its restoration and addition, where we expressed our concern (also shared notably by the Société des Antiquaires de Picardie) about the (...)
The Louvre Pre-empts a Boucher 08/04/2013
The Louvre pre-empted a study by François Boucher, A Meal during the Hunt, this afternoon at the Hôtel Drouot, at Beaussant-Lefèvre auctioneers, for 100,000 euros (without charges). The work, illustrated in the catalogue for the exhibition, (...)
Paul Salmona Appointed Head of the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme 06/04/2013
Paul Salmona will take over as head of the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme next 8 April, succeeding Laurent Héricher and Laurence Sigal, who founded the institution and with whom he had organized a colloquium on L’Archéologie du judaïsme en (...)
Musée de Valence : Four 17th century Paintings Undergoing Restoration 05/04/2013
Should a painting - or its artist - be famous in order to finance a restoration ? Fortunately the answer is no as this would mean neglecting an obvious stake implied in the process, besides of course preserving the work, that is, a better (...)
Jean-Luc Martinez, President-Director of the Louvre 03/04/2013
Although everyone was predicting Sylvie Ramond - the French Minister of Culture’s choice -, the official appointment will name instead, according to our sources, Jean-Luc Martinez, 49, as President-Director of the Louvre, during the Council of (...)
Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures at Eric Coatalem’s and Patrice Bellanger’s 03/04/2013
One is interested in old master paintings and drawings, the other is one of the world’s rare art dealers specialized in sculpture. Eric Coatalem and Patrice Bellanger have joined forces for this exhibition. The first has chosen to display an (...)
A Copper by Otto van Veen Acquired by the Ringling Museum of Art 03/04/2013
The Sarasota Museum purchased a large copper work painted by Otto van Veen (also known as Otto Venius) representing The Adoration of the Shepherds for $56,250 (including charges) last 30 January at Christie’s New York. Following a stay in Italy (...)
Frederic Church at the National Gallery in London 03/04/2013
Like the Louvre, the National Gallery in London is taking an interest in American art, long overlooked in Europe. After showing George Bellows in 2011, it is now displaying oil sketches by Federic Edwin Church, in collaboration with the Terra (...)
Recent Acquisitions at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Valenciennes 03/04/2013
Since our last article highlighting acquisitions at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Valenciennes, the museum has added several more important works, thanks to both donations and purchases. The Carpeaux holdings have thus expanded with a drawing (...)
Appointment and Donation...News from the States 02/04/2013
Colin Bailey has just been appointed, starting 1st June, as head of the Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco, that is two establishments, the Legion of Honor and the De Young Museum. This institution had been left without a director since the (...)
Acquisition of a Turner Canvas by the Bowes Museum 02/04/2013
One castle joins another : the Bowes Museum received a donation (acceptance in lieu) of a Turner canvas representing Lowther Castle shown in a golden aura towards late afternoon, nestled in the background of a hilly landscape. The painter (...)
A Barocci, a Ribera and a Baciccio Displayed at Antoine Tarantino’s 29/03/2013
In a talented and determined fashion, Antoine Tarantino in his gallery located rue Saint-Georges, a bit off the beaten track, presents exhibitions highlighting Italian painting, with a noticeable fondness for the Roman school, on a regular (...)
The Félicie de Fauveau Works Acquired by the Historial de Vendée 21/03/2013
The Félicie de Fauveau exhibition currently showing at the Historial de Vendée in Lucs-sur-Boulogne and which we will soon look at more closely, provides us with a chance to discover several of her works, or some representing her, acquired by this (...)
The Cadillac Pietà by Brebiette rather than Vignon 21/03/2013
Attribution questions are often complex and require much caution. Thus, the one concerning the Austin painting, which Pierre Rosenberg (who had only seen it before the restoration) thinks can be given to Jacques Blanchard, a name which also (...)
An Exceptional Eugène Isabey Acquired by Montreal at the TEFAF 21/03/2013
Who is this dead officer being cast into the sea from a French ship with a cannon salute ? The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal, which has just purchased this imposing and magnificent painting at the Maastricht Fair, from Richard Feigen, will (...)
Restoration of the Apse in Notre Dame de Lorette 21/03/2013
We had been planning to write an article about the church of Notre Dame de Lorette for several months now as part of the series of Parisian churches which are under serious threat. In fact, we will now highlight it to speak of a restoration (...)
Two Houses on the Rue des Carmes in Orleans Definitely Protected 21/03/2013
It’s true ! The prefect today signed the orders listing two of the houses on the rue des Carmes, which the mayor of the city, Serge Grouard, wished to destroy in order to redesign the area, a project which consisted in demolishing an entire (...)
A Diderot Itinerary at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rennes 21/03/2013
Though museums strive to increase the number of visitors, they cannot always welcome them adequately. The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rennes came up with the idea of creating itineraries in its collections, corresponding to events, equipped with a (...)
A Work by Jacques Blanchard Identified in Austin 20/03/2013
The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, which we will soon talk about in our series Itinéraires on Texas, is currently staging a small scholarly exhibition on recently restored paintings. Among these, a Danaë attributed to the "Circle of Simon (...)
The Rijksmuseum Purchases a Silver Vase by Antoine Vechte 20/03/2013
The Rijksmuseum, which is to reopen its doors in a few days after renovations lasting almost a decade (and which we will soon discuss), acquired a masterpiece of 19th century French silver from the Kugel gallery : the vase of Neptune and (...)
A Bronze by William Theed for the Metropolitan Museum 20/03/2013
At almost life size, a bronze by William Theed, the Elder, was acquired by the Metropolitan in 2012 from the Tomasso Brothers Fine Art gallery. It represents Thetis sitting on a shell carrying her son Achilles’ arms from Vulcan’s forge. She (...)
Acquisition of Latin-American and American Paintings in Philadelphia 19/03/2013
The Museum of Art in Philadelphia received several donations in the past few months of Latin-American and American works. Donated by Roberta and Richard Huber in 2012, four paintings - three of which are anonymous - reflect 18th century Colonial (...)
