Dimanche 17 février 2019
Last update on 2/11/2016
Last update on 2/11/2016
The latest news in the History of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the 1930's
Geneva Purchases a Panorama des Alpes by Gustave Courbet 20/05/2014
The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva recently purchased a large painting by Gustave Courbet representing a Panorama des Alpes, produced late in his life after his exile in Switzerland. The view showing the mountain ranges of the Dents du Midi (...)
A Portrait by Giuseppe Bonito for the Prado 19/05/2014
Sold for 37,500€ at an auction at Goya Subastas on 28 January 2014, the Portrait of Leopoldo de Gregorio, Marqués de Esquilache by Giuseppe Bonito was acquired by the Spanish government and is joining the collections at the Prado Museum. The (...)
A Relief by Louis Le Conte Acquired by the Louvre 18/05/2014
The Département des sculptures at the Louvre made this beautiful acquisition at Sotheby’s Paris, purchasing this marble relief last 14 May which had remained unsold after the auction. The work represents Hope, identified by the anchor, and is by (...)
The Jabach Family by Charles Le Brun Joins the Met 16/05/2014
This fundamental painting, still lacking seriously at the Louvre, has just joined the Metropolitan Museum. However, the Parisian establishment is not to blame in this case since it was never given the opportunity to purchase this work which (...)
A Fragment of a 16th century Panel for the Breda Museum 15/05/2014
Nothing is known about this partial painting : its artist, the patron who commissioned it, nor for where it was intended. Acquired by the Breda Museum in 2013 from a private individual, thanks to a fundraising appeal and with the help of the (...)
The Samaritaine’s Construction Permit Cancelled ! 13/05/2014
The sentence was unexpected and opens up new horizons for supporters of Parisian heritage. The Tribunal Administratif of Paris has just cancelled the construction permit for the Samaritaine building which was supposed to go up on the rue de (...)
Recent Sculpture Acquisitions for the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal (1) 12/05/2014
The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal recently added several important pieces to its collection of European sculptures, purchasing notably its first 18th century terracotta, Marie Antoinette as Kindness by Robert Guillaume Dardel. A student of (...)
A Bust by Dominique Maggesi for the Portland Museum 12/05/2014
A sculptor who was born and died in Carrara naturally works with marble. Dominique Fortuné Maggesi devoted himself to it all his life though he settled in Bordeaux in 1829 where he taught and became official sculptor between 1832 and (...)
Rediscovery of a Drawing by Alessandro Allori 06/05/2014
Auction discoveries do not occur only at the Hôtel Drouot. Bendor Grosvenor, on his blog Art History News, points out the spectacular resurfacing of a drawing by Alessandro Allori in the United States. This is a preparatory work for the figure (...)
A Painting by Francesco Fidenza for the Portland Museum 06/05/2014
The scene of Naples at night is divided in two, on the right burnt by the red lava spouting from the volcano, on the left lit by the cold halo of the moon glimpsed between the clouds. Francesco Fidenza represented Vesuvius in a painting (...)
Van Dyck’s Self-portrait Joins the National Portrait Gallery 01/05/2014
Late last year we had pointed out the launching of a fundraiser at the National Portrait Gallery for the purchase of a Self-Portrait by Van Dyck painted the year before he died when living in England, at the court of Charles I. The work had (...)
Latest Acquisitions at the Musée des Augustins 30/04/2014
Legend goes that he discouraged his more timid students : "In that way, he did a great service to both art and artists"... Jules Garipuy taught at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse and directed the Musée des Augustins which today holds seven (...)
The LACMA Acquires the Small Odalisque by Ingres 28/04/2014
Last November, the Hubert Duchemin Gallery exhibited a small version of Ingres’ Odalisque, recently rediscovered and whose attribution we found convincing.
Janmot’s The Torture of Mezentius Acquired by the Musée d’Orsay 25/04/2014
The Etruscan king Mezentius : "went so far even as to mix dead bodies with humans, hand to hand, face to face, as a kind of torture, thus inflicting a slow death to these beings who liquefied themselves into pus and rot, in a miserable (...)
The Portland Museum Acquires a Portrait by Marianne Loir 24/04/2014
The sacrosanct principle of equality will soon dictate museum policies as well, determining not only the choice of directors but also the acquisitions in art works. Thus, the goal of the Portland Art Museum is to add 125 works by women by the (...)
A Watercolor Album of the Mexican Campaign Acquired by Defense Ministry 23/04/2014
This highly colorful account of the French military campaign in Mexico (1862-1867), an eyewitness report in pictures with a good dose of humor, came up for auction at Audap & Mirabaud’s last 19 February at the Hôtel Drouot and sold for 29,000€ (...)
The Metropolitan Museum recently acquired a painting representing a Head of Christ by a Spanish artist from the early 16th century, Fernando Yáñez de la Almedina. The information was pointed out by Guillaume Kientz on the blog site, Afición, (...)
Hennequin and Puvis de Chavannes : Two Acquisitions for Lyon 19/04/2014
Currently staging one of the best exhibitions available at the moment, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon continues its very dynamic acquisitions policy (other pieces will be presented shortly). It recently purchased two studies, one painted, the (...)
Two Ewers by Soldani Benzi Resurface at the Hôtel Drouot 17/04/2014
Yesterday, Wednesday 16 April, two terracotta vases were up for auction at the Hôtel Drouot (ill. 1), richly sculpted, presented as German work, circa 1800. These were indeed "projects for ewers" as stated in the catalogue. However, it was (...)
Libourne Launches a Fundraiser for a Study by Princeteau 17/04/2014
We all remember the major restrospective at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Libourne, at the time under the direction of Marguerite Stahl, highlighting René Princeteau (1843-1914), staged in various chapters between 2007 and 2009. Known mainly today (...)
Sébastien Allard Appointed Director of the Département des Peintures at the Louvre 14/04/2014
Sébastien Allard was appointed Director of the Département des peintures at the Musée du Louvre today. A graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieur and Conservateur en chef du patrimoine, Sébastien Allard was until now in charge of 19th century French (...)
Malmaison Acquires Two Pots-pourris 11/04/2014
"The beauty of the work goes beyond anything of the kind ever seen before and a fortunate event, as these two vases were a diplomatic gift from Louise of Prussia to the Empress Josephine, in an attempt to bring their respective countries closer (...)
Pauline Viardot as Saint Cecilia by Ary Scheffer Pre-empted by the Musée de la Vie Romantique 11/04/2014
Pauline Viardot was a well known figure during the Romantic period in Paris. Initially a pianist, she turned to singing after the death of her sister, Maria Malibran, also composing melodies and operas for private circles. In 1863, following (...)
Bruno Decaris Strikes Again : the Couvent des Pénitents in Louviers 10/04/2014
Among the chief architects for historical monuments whom we would like to see change professions, for the sake of the buildings they are entrusted with, there is one we have never mentioned, Bruno Decaris. He gained his notoriety for the way he (...)
Chantilly : Restorations, Exhibitions and Other Events at the Musée Condé 09/04/2014
The various restorations continue at the Château de Chantilly, notably in the Grands Appartements, on the first floor of the château, partly installed in the early 18th century by Jean Aubert for Louis-Henri, Duke of Bourbon, Prince de Condé (...)
Drawing Exhibitions in Paris (3) 07/04/2014
The number of exhibitions during the Semaine du Dessin in Paris has grown so much that we were not able to see them all. Thus, on the left bank, the Galerie Ladrière, as well as the Galerie Fabienne Fiacre are showing drawings for the occasion (...)
A Canvas by Adolphe Willette Acquired by the Musée de l’Isle-Adam 05/04/2014
"I seek my fortune / All round the Chat noir / In the moonlight / At Montmartre at night." Echoing Aristide Bruant’s ballad, Willette painted Fortune, with the traits of a young woman dressed simply in black stockings, emphasizing her nudity and (...)
The Louvre Makes Two Purchases at the Salon du Dessin 04/04/2014
Definitely active at the auctions held during the Semaine du Dessin, the Département des Arts Graphiques at the Louvre also made two purchases at the Salon du Dessin. The first drawing was acquired at Jean-Luc Baroni’s. It is by Jacob Matham, a (...)
A Self-Portrait with Lute by Artemisia Gentilischi Acquired by Hartford 03/04/2014
The Atheneum Museum recently purchased, with the intervention of Christie’s New York, a Self-Portrait with Lute by Artemisia Gentileschi. While the paintings attributed to this artist often come under debate among specialists, this one, (...)
A Sargent Painting for the Smithsonian 03/04/2014
Best known for his society portraits, a manner he learned from Carolus-Duran, and in which he displayed an undisputable virtuosity, John Singer Sargent did not just paint elegant women posing in refined interiors ; he also treated more prosaic (...)
A Crucifixon by Adrien Sacquespée Pre-empted by the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen 01/04/2014
This is the sort of pre-emption we like to hear about. The auction was a sale of old masters and 19th century works which took place today at Christie’s Paris and the acquirer was the Musée de Beaux-Arts of Rouen. We were indeed hoping it would (...)
A Painting Withdrawn from Auction Thanks to the French Ministry of Culture 01/04/2014
The Conseil Général de Côte-d’Or was about to sell a 19th century painting for a modest estimate between 2 to 3,000€ on 6 April in Dijon at Sadde auctioneers. The work used to hang on the wall of the courtroom at Semur-en-Auxois until it closed and (...)
The Delaware Art Museum Sells Works to Repay its Debts 31/03/2014
Even American museums which practice deaccessioning follow a golden rule : the revenue from the sale must go toward new acquisitions. This rule, already broken recently by the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, (...)
Drawing Exhibitions in Paris (2) 31/03/2014
Alexis Bordes’ new location on rue de la Paix reflects the growing trend initiated with the opening of the Galerie Marty de Cambiaire at Place Vendôme : this very elegant neighborhood in the first arrondissement is becoming a vital stopover when (...)
A 17th century Ceiling Drawing Pre-empted by the Louvre 28/03/2014
In the now established tradition of events held during the Semaine du Dessin, the département des Arts Graphiques at the Louvre was active this week during the auctions organized in the capital, reflecting also the current art scene by (...)
Drawing Exhibitions in Paris (1) 27/03/2014
The Salon du Dessin also results in specialized auctions as well as a large number of exhibitions in many Parisian galleries, both large and small. We have not yet seen them all but we will try to evoke them in several articles, beginning with (...)
A Painting by Pajou the Younger Acquired by the Louvre 27/03/2014
A mother is playing with her child showing it his reflection in the mirror held by a young woman while her father-in-law smiles down at the them and the husband looks affectionately at his father with yet another woman bending over the child. (...)
The Louvre Pre-empts Two Drawings by Romanelli 26/03/2014
The Musée du Louvre made a very fine purchase today at Drouot by pre-empting for 60,000€ (before charges) at Auction Art two drawings by Romanelli, representing respectively The Abudction of the Sabine Women and The Continence of Scipion, (...)
The Musée Rodin Acquires Another Drawing 26/03/2014
We all know his female nudes sketched sur le vif, freely depicting varying attitudes, charged with eroticism - some sheets recently resurfaced at the Musée Clemenceau - but here the Musée Rodin has acquired a representation of an old woman, her (...)
The Heart of Anne de Bretagne Exhibited in Blois 25/03/2014
"In this small vessel of fine gold, pure and monde / Rests the biggest heart of any lady in the world ; / Anne was her name, in France twice queen, / Duchess of the Bretons, royal and sovereign.". These lines are engraved in the heart of Anne (...)
A Hammershoi for the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum 25/03/2014
The Boijmans van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam recently acquired at TEFAF, an oil on canvas by Vilhelm Hammershoi, a major Danish painter of the second half of the 19th century, from the Daxer & Marschall gallery. After remaining in the (...)
Two Pastels by Vigée Le Brun Pre-empted by the Louvre 23/03/2014
The Département des Arts Graphiques at the Musée du Louvre this afternoon pre-empted two pastel portraits by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun representing respectively Louis-Philippe d’Orléans and Madame de Montesson for 52,000€ (before charges) at (...)
Acquisition, Exhibition, Patronage : All the News from the Musée de Picardie 22/03/2014
The Musée de Picardie is very active as concerns its 19th century collection. A few days ago, it inaugurated its new hang in the Grand Salon and last 15 November, the museum pre-empted at the Hôtel Drouot, Thierry de Maigret auctioneers, a (...)
Rinaldo’s Farewell to Armida by Lanfranco Acquired by Zurich 22/03/2014
Rinaldo’s Farewell to Armida at the Canesso Gallery was one of the most beautiful paintings presented at TEFAF in Maastricht and has now been acquired by the Kunsthaus in Zurich. Armida unconscious, presented in the same position as the Ariadne (...)
A Bust of Dumas the Younger by Carpeaux Acquired by the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute 21/03/2014
The sculpture stand occupied at TEFAF by David and Constance Yates in association with Trebosc & van Lelyveld always offers the highest quality. The Sterling & Francine Clark Institute made no mistake in choosing them to purchase a (...)
A Painting Stolen in Draguignan Recovered, but It Is not a Rembrandt ! 19/03/2014
Contrary to the information found generally in the media these past few days, the painting which was recovered by the OCBC after being stolen fifteen years ago at the Musée in Draguignan in the Var, is not a Rembrandt. Only Vincent Noce, in (...)
A Drawing by Antoine Caron Acquired by the Musée Le Vergeur in Reims 18/03/2014
A drawing by Antoine Caron illustrating the coronation of Henri III at the cathedral in Reims was sold for $25,000, at the Christie’s auction in New York on 30 January 2014 to the Musée Le Vergeur in Reims, the highest (...)
TEFAF : a Work by Matthijs Maris for The Hague 18/03/2014
Museums are continuing their purchases at TEFAF. The Gemeente Museum acquired a work by Matthijs Maris (1839-1917), a member of The Hague School along with his brothers Jacob and Willem, from the Douwes Fine Art gallery of Amsterdam. Maris was (...)
A Bust of Canova by Adamo Tadolini Acquired by the Rijksmuseum 16/03/2014
The Rijksmuseum added yet another work to its collections at the Maastricht Fair by acquiring a bust of Canova sculpted by Adamo Tadolini from the Perrin Gallery. The manner in which the transaction took place will no doubt set many French (...)
The Met Acquires another Ewer from the Kugel Gallery at TEFAF 15/03/2014
The evening of the inauguration for TEFAF (the Maastricht Fair), the Metropolitan, which had recently acquired a ewer from the Kugel gallery, again made a purchase from the same dealers, a second ewer with its (...)
