Previous Posts: January 2021
Manet Dog Sketch up for Sale
January 24 2021
Picture: Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A rare and very sketchy painting of a dog by Édouard Manet is coming up for sale at the French auction house Drouot next month. This pet, owned by the daughter of a Paris innkeeper Marguerite Lathuille, was supposedly completed in a mere twenty minutes. It has remained in the same family's collection until now.
The painting will be sold on 26th February 2021 with an estimate of €220,000 - €280,000.
More Female and Foreign Artists in the Prado
January 22 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Guardian have published an article that the Prado Museum in Madrid will be rehanging their collections to feature more female and 'foreign' artists. The museum leaders have said that the covid lockdown has provided an opportunity to rethink the current schemes some of which are, in their own words, "anachronistic and perpetuated 19th-century historiographical models."
The museum's director Miguel Falomir has been quoted as saying:
There are artistic phenomena and artists who have been totally excluded until now – not just women but aspects as important as social painting, which hadn’t found a place in the 19th-century collection … or painting from different parts of the world, such as the Philippines, whose art is finding itself more and more appreciated.
...
There are also whole periods in the history of art and whole regions that have been excluded. Bit by bit, we’re going to have a more inclusive Prado when it comes to this.
Free Sculpture Lectures with Fondazione Federico Zeri
January 22 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Fondazione Federico Zeri are broadcasting some free online lectures on sculpture collections this January and February. The three museum collections that will be examined include the Dresden Staatliche Kunstsammlung, the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The three lectures will be broadcast on Zoom and on the foundation's Facebook page.
AGO Restitutes Jan van Kessell (ctd.)
January 22 2021
Picture: AGO
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Following up from a story I posted last November, the restitution of a painting by Jan van Kessell by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has attracted some criticism in Canada. The Globe and Mail have published some critical voices regarding the hasty actions and paperwork that accompanied the return of the painting to the heirs of the London based David family.
It seems the painting left Canada with a general permit supplied the AGO, a procedure usually used to fast-track loans for exhibitions and the like. For this reason, it has been suggested, the export was not overseen by federal officials who might have sought an independent opinion regarding the works restitution. The hasty export has been highlighted by some as exposing a gap in the Canadian system for the export of cultural property. There has also been some disagreement about exactly when the painting was sold by the David family during the 1930s.
The AGO have defended their actions by claiming the work was not sold but returned, adding that border officials were notified. Others have suggested that the haste of the return did not meet the standards expected of the museum.
Musée des Augustins Acquires Commodi Portrait
January 22 2021
Picture: Musée des Augustins
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Musée des Augustins in Toulouse have announced their acquisition of a Portrait of a Lady by the Florentine painter Andrea Commodi (1560-1638). Commodi, a pupil of Allori and Santi di Tito, created portraits influenced by the late phase of Italian mannerism. The painting joins other examples of Italian works in the museum's collection, including pictures by Jacopo Zucchi and Francesco Curradi.
Gerband van den Eeckhout Resurfaces in French Castle
January 22 2021
Picture: La Gazette Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
La Gazette Drouot has drawn attention to a recently resurfaced painting by Rembrandt's pupil Gerbrand van den Eeckhout that is coming up for sale next week. Pharaoh Returns Sarah to Abraham was included in the Sumowski Rembrandt catalogue, but was catalogued as being in an unknown location. It recently resurfaced in a château in Poitou, France. The work will be sold on the 26th January 2021 carrying a tempting estimate of €60k - €80k.
Underneath the Sotheby's Botticelli
January 21 2021
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's have published a fascinating article investigating the materials and techniques used in Botticelli's Portrait of a Young Man with a Roundel. Lots of fantastic images are supplied, including x-rays and pigment analysis. One supposes the estimate reflects the importance of showing off such details!
GF Watts Fresco Conservation Lecture
January 20 2021
Picture: Leighton House
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Leighton House in West London are broadcasting a very interesting lecture this evening (20th January 2021) at 5.30pm (GMT). The talk by curator Tobit Curteis will focus on the conservation of George Frederic Watts's frescos which were originally painted for Little Holland House. These frescos were removed from the building before the house was demolished in 1964.
The lecture will be broadcast on Zoom and is free to attend, although registration is required.
Update - The lecture has been uploaded onto YouTube and is free to watch!
Fragonard Drawings at Christie's
January 19 2021
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Christie's have published a short article on their website about a series of 14 drawings by Fragonard in their upcoming Cornelia Bessie Old Master Drawings Sale. The series, which includes illustrations of the Italian epic Orlando Furioso, are believed to be the largest group that remain in private hands.
Sitters Identified in Stuggart Rubens Double Portrait
January 19 2021
Picture: Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The recently published Rubenianum Quarterly features a short article on the above double portrait by Peter Paul Rubens. This large oil on canvas, now in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, has been unidentified for some time. The attribution too has changed over the centuries. It was given to Van Dyck some time ago, but is now rightfully considered a Genoese period portrait by Rubens.
The article explains that archival research has helped to identify the pair as Geronima Spinola and her Granddaughter Maria Giovanna Serra. One of the details that clinched it was that Geronima was widowed in 1604 and became a nun. The sombre clothing in this portrait seems to be suggestive of a lady in mourning alongside her religious vows.
The painting will be featured in a Rubens exhibition due to be held in Stuttgart this year between 22nd October 2021 - 20th February 2022.
The Barber Institute is Hiring a Health Co-ordinator!
January 19 2021
Picture: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham is looking to hire a Health Co-ordinator. The gallery, which contains a rather enviable collection of old master and impressionist paintings, is seeking a co-ordinator to support them with their recovery from covid-19. It seems the role was partly inspired by the idea of flipping the 'artist in residence' at hospitals to creating the role of a 'nurse in residence' in their gallery.
As the job description for this unique position explains:
As communities and the healthcare sector process lockdown and living with Covid-19, we asked how can the Barber best support them in their Covid-19 recovery? Barber Health directly addresses societal issues foregrounded by Covid-19. The project consists of two strands that holistically work together- a creative arts, health and wellbeing programme for hyperlocal communities which runs alongside innovative cultural contributions to medical education.
The new role of Barber Health Coordinator is key to successfully delivering this project. Working closely with the Barber Health team, including our new Nurse in Residence, and key community partners the Coordinator will contribute to the design of creative, innovative and deliverable Barber Health activities, events and resources that utilise and share the Barber’s collection effectively. The post holder will also be responsible for the administration, logisitcal planning and communication of Barber Health to ensure successful project delivery.
The role comes with a salary up to £21,598 and applications must be in by 7th February 2021.
Good luck if you're applying!
Collecting Drawings: Panel Discussion
January 19 2021
Picture: Master Drawings NY
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Society for the History of Collecting and Master Drawings NY have teamed up for a rather interesting panel discussion on Talking Drawings: A Conversation with Collectors. The panel will be chaired by Jennifer Tonkovich, curator of drawings and prints at The Morgan Library & Museum, and will be broadcast on Saturday 23rd January 2021 at 1pm (New York time, I presume). It's free to attend although registration is required.
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp is Nearly Ready!
January 19 2021
Video: Artes Group
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp will be reopening next year after a 10 year renovation project. The museum has commissioned this rather fancy video (above) showing the completed interiors before any art works are reinstalled. Little sweeping shots of the gift shop and wardrobe are also included. It certainly looks impressive. Let's hope the museum benefits greatly from the post-lockdown boom, a tempting prospect which is feeling ever closer these days.
Stolen Salvator Mundi Returned to Naples Basilica
January 18 2021
Video: Videoinformazioni News
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A version of Leonardo's Salvator Mundi that was stolen from the Basilica di San Domenico Maggiore in Naples has been returned. The stolen painting, which was taken two years ago, was discovered in a flat in the city recently by the authorities. The video above shows the painting being rehung in the Muscettola Chapel by a mask-wearing priest.
Update - The Daily Mail has published better images of the work.
Update 2 - Ben Lewis, art critic and author on the Salvator Mundi, has commented on Twitter that this painting was restored and exhibited in Rome last year. It seems like the timescale of the thefts might be a little off.
Must Have Books for Conservation
January 18 2021
Picture: IIC
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) have published an interesting list of books on conservation which they consider the 'must haves'. This might be of interest to some readers who enjoy the work undertaken by professional conservators. Alternatively, it might be useful for those who are looking to redeem book tokens they received for Christmas.
Toledo Museum of Art Acquires a Ligozzi
January 18 2021
Picture: Artnet
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio has acquired a painting of Saint Francis Adoring the Cross by Jacopo Ligozzi (1547-1627).
The museum's senior curator Lawrence W. Nichols is quoted as saying:
'Saint Francis Adoring the Cross,’ presumably, was commissioned for a patron’s private devotions, to encourage the viewer to emulate the extreme religious conviction of the saint. The restricted color palette augments the painting’s emotional intensity. We are very pleased to have acquired this painting that fills a significant area in our Italian painting collection. While Ligozzi is not a household name, he is an important figure in this time period, and this acquisition makes Toledo one of only three American museums with one of his works.
Here's a write up from La Tribune de l'Art.
Istanbul's National Painting Palace Reopens After Renovation
January 18 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Istanbul that the city's National Palaces Painting Museum has reopened after a 3-4 year renovation project. The museum, which was first opened in 1856, houses a vast collection of paintings from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries drawn from various palaces. The latest exhibition there will loan 3,000 works from the Topkapı Palace.
The photo above shows Turkey's president Erdoğan examining Felix-Auguste Clement's Hunt in the Desert, the largest orientalist painting in the country supposedly.
Cornelis van Poelenburgh Self Portrait Soars Past Estimate
January 18 2021
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A rare Self Portrait by the Dutch landscape painter Cornelis van Poelenburgh (1594-1667) soared at Sotheby's last Thursday. It made £100,800 (inc. commission) over its £5k - £7k estimate. Sotheby's catalogue note suggests that it was made when the artist was staying in London and producing cabinet pictures for King Charles I between the years 1637-41. The prestigious provenance must have helped too, as it was reputedly owned by William Beckford and later made its way into the collection of the Dukes of Hamilton.
Update - I've just spotted that the painting has already appeared on dealer Sander Bijl's Instagram page.
Kunstminute at Pinakothek Museums
January 15 2021
Video: Pinakotheken
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A recent article published by the Süddeutsche Zeitung has drawn my attention to this rather nice set of short videos produced last year by the Pinakothek Museums in Munich, Germany. Kunstminute consists of 23 one minute videos on various paintings presented by curators and experts. Well worth browsing through if you have a spare minute or twenty three.
Changes Afoot at BMAG
January 15 2021
Picture: BMAG
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) has announced some changes to its 2021 schedule. Firstly, the museum will close throughout 2021 and reopen in 2022 to allow for an essential electrical upgrade. The city will host the Commonwealth Games in 2022, and it seems that this is factored into this decision.
Aesthetically speaking, the museum has also announced a radical change to its famous Round Room (pictured), which houses an impressive selection of its collections in a vaguely nineteenth century format. It seems the displays in the space have changed a lot over the course of the twentieth century.
As their official press release explains:
A radical new display of this stunning gallery will reflect the people of 21st Century Birmingham. In a sweeping change from the current paintings of landscapes, historic subjects and dignitaries from the past, the new We Are Birmingham display will present a vibrant celebration of the city that Birmingham has become. It will draw on new artworks as well as historic items from Birmingham’s Collections.
