| | The First Art Newspaper on the Net |   | Established in 1996 | Tuesday, July 21, 2020 |
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| | Ancient Golan rock art sheds light on mysterious culture | |
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Uri Berger, a regional archaeologist for the Israel Antiquities Authority, displays engravings in a rock bearing images of animals inside a dolmen from the intermediate Bronze age, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on July 13, 2020. This megalithic structure is one of the thousands of dolmens scattered around northern Israel and the region, burial tombs erected some 4000-4500 years ago in the Intermediate Bronze Era. MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP.
GOLAN HEIGHTS (AFP).- The chance discovery of lines carved into the boulders of an ancient tomb in what is now the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights could offer new insight into an enigmatic culture that thrived thousands of years ago. In a small clearing in the Yehudiya nature reserve, between yellow weeds and shaded by eucalyptus trees, huge dark basalt boulders and slabs form a small roofed chamber that opens to the east. The megalithic structure is one of the thousands of so-called dolmens scattered around northern Israel and the wider region, burial tombs erected some 4,000-4,500 years ago in the Intermediate Bronze Era. Today, on the plateau captured in 1967 from Syria, with Israeli soldiers securing the frontier just 23 kilometres (14 miles) away, scientists seek to shed light on the region's distant past. The identity and beliefs of those who built the monuments remain largely unknown. But a recent serendipitous finding of rock art might change that. About two years ago, "when one of the rangers here ... More |
The Best Photos of the Day Residents of the Dr. Sarphati House nursing home in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, sit in front of a same size version of the famous painting 'The Night Watch' by Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn, in Amsterdam on July 20, 2020. This summer, the Rijksmuseum brings a version of the world-famous painting by Rembrandt to thirty nursing and care homes and senior complexes. Outings to cultural institutions are not possible for many elderly people due to the coronavirus crisis. Robin VAN LONKHUIJSEN / ANP / AFP
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 | | Frick Collection to reopen in early 2021 at "Frick Madison" | | The Association Ãmile Friant announces preparation of catalogue raisonné of works by the Naturalist painter | | Christie's announces highlights included in the Classic Art Evening Sale: Antiquity to 20th Century sale | 
File photo of the Met Breuer. Todd Heisler/The New York Times.
NEW YORK, NY.- The Frick Collection announced today that it will reopen to the public in early 2021 in the former site of the Whitney Museum of American Art at 945 Madison Avenue. The temporary location, called Frick Madison, will house the Fricks collections, programs, and staff during the renovation and expansion of its historic buildings at 1 East 70th Street. Following a rigorous public review of the design by Selldorf Architects, the Frick is planning to break ground early in 2021, with pre-construction preparations beginning this fall. The project marks the institutions first comprehensive renovation in eighty-five years. It will create new gallery spaces for the display of the permanent collection and special exhibitions; make more of the original residence accessible to the public; improve education, library, and conservation resources; and upgrade visitor amenities and accessibility throughout the museum and library. From early 2 ... More | | 
Ãmile Friant (French, 1863-1932), La Discussion Politique, detail, signed and dated E. Friant 89 (lower left) oil on panel, 26.3 by 34 cm. (10 3/8 by 13 3/8 in.).
LOS ANGELES, CA.- The Association Ãmile Friant (A.E.F.) was founded in June 2020. The purpose of A.E.F. is to study and promote the work of the French Lorraine Naturalist painter, Ãmile Friant (1863-1932). A.E.F. is looking for paintings, pastels, gouaches and watercolors by Friant for inclusion in the forthcoming digital Catalogue Raisonné on the artist. In addition, A.E.F is seeking any documents pertaining to Friant, which could assist in the research on the artist. Founding members of The Association Ãmile Friant: Mô Frumholz-Burtin, Arnaud Berodier, Michèle Leinen, Pascale Pavageau, Eric Weider, Polly Sartori Like many Naturalist painters of the nineteenth century, Ãmile Friant has been long overlooked despite his overwhelming success and notoriety during his lifetime. A flurry of recent scholarship on Naturalism, together with two important monographic exhibitions: Ãmile Friant, un nouveau regard, which took place ... More | | 
The James Cox Spinning Star, a George III gold and agate mounted automaton watch, with an ormolu and agate musical and automaton cabinet from the workshop of James Cox, London, circa 1770. Estimate £400,000-600,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
LONDON.- Christies announce highlights featuring in the forthcoming innovative Classic Art Evening Sale: Antiquity to 20th Century, taking place as a live auction on 29 July. This season the Classic Art group has joined together to present an evening sale comprising 69 lots of exceptional paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts spanning antiquity to the 20th century. Clementine Sinclair, Head of Sale, comments, This seasons Classic Art Evening sale presents a rich array of works of art and objects of different periods and mediums which are unified by their exceptional artistry and craftsmanship. Taken collectively, they give a fascinating overview of developments and innovations that took place over six centuries, from antiquity to the early 20th century, and offer both interesting parallels ... More |
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| | Alexis Maggiar joins Christie's as International Director of the Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas | | A shot in the arm for traditional Scottish pictures | | Christie's announces July Latin American live and online sales | 
Alexis joined an international auction house in 2007 where he evolved until becoming European Director of the African and Oceania Arts Department in 2017. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
PARIS.- Christie's announced that Alexis Maggiar has joined Christies as International Director of the Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Having started his career in 2001 with Alain de Monbrison and subsequently Calmels Cohen Auctioneers at the Hotel Drouot, Alexis joined an international auction house in 2007 where he evolved until becoming European Director of the African and Oceania Arts Department in 2017. For more than a decade, Alexis has contributed to significant discoveries in the field, setting numerous auction records and participating in the success of collector's sales in his category in both Paris and New York. The results obtained in this field salute the strength of his expertise and his aesthetic sense. Fascinated by the dialogue between arts and cultures, his commitment has largely favoured the recognition of this category at ... More | | 
William McTaggart R.S.A., R.S.W (Scottish 1835-1910), The Fleet Leaving Port Seton Harbour (detail). Sold for £45,000.
EDINBURGH.- Huge confidence was shown in the market for Scottish paintings at a specialist sale offered by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh on July 15. This remarkable sale, that attracted close to 500 international bidders competing via remote means, shot over its top estimate and generated a selling rate of 97%, with 100 of 103 lots offered sold. Nick Curnow, Vice Chairman and Head of Paintings said the sale demonstrated great confidence and a distinct uplift in the market. We were delighted to see an increased interest in traditional pictures, and continued competition on the big names of Scottish art. There are few bigger names in Scottish Victorian art than William McTaggart (1835-1910). He remained loyal to his heritage throughout his career, when asked to follow his contemporaries to London he answered simply: No, I would rather be first in my own country than second in any other. He painted the c ... More | | 
The collection is led by Femme Cheval by Cuban artist Wifredo Lam. Estimate: $2,000,000 - 3,000,000 USD. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.
NEW YORK, NY.- Christies announces two July sales for Latin American Art with the live auction taking place on 30 July, and an online auction running 21 July to 4 August. The sales offer a comprehensive selection of 17th and 18th-century Spanish colonial painting alongside modern and contemporary masterpieces from influential artists such as Rufino Tamayo, Alfredo Ramos Martinez, Carmen Herrera, Leonora Carrington, Mario Carreño and Francisco Toledo. The collection is led by Femme Cheval by Cuban artist Wifredo Lam (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000 USD) and Dos amantes contemplando la luna by Rufino Tamayo (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000 USD). The figure of the Femme Cheval first appeared in Lams Fata Morgana drawings (1940-41), made to illustrate André Bretons Surrealist poem, but her evolved expression in his paintings from 1947 to 1950 marks the apotheosis ... More |
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| | Sotheby's unveils 'From The Archive' sale series | | Adopt a piece of Royal Air Force Museum history | | Exhibit and auction to celebrate Disneyland's 65th anniversary | 
LeBron James "King James" game-worn 2013-2014 season Miami Heat jersey. Estimate $150/200,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.
NEW YORK, NY.- Sothebys announced From the Archive a new online sales series dropping five pieces of rare memorabilia and collectibles spanning sports, film, music and fashion in dedicated, single-lot sales, opening every day from 20 24 July. The series is led by LeBron Jamess King James Game-Worn 2013-2014 Season Miami Heat Jersey (estimate $150/200,000). Worn during the legendary January 2014 Nickname Game, the present jersey represents the first time James wore this moniker on court, and one of only a handful of times he ever wore a jersey with his nickname. The first auction opens for bidding today, with consecutive auctions opening every day through 24 July. Each sale closes 7 days after opening. Brahm Wachter, Sothebys Director of eCommerce Development, commented: We have an incredible week of drops lined up, with each item ... More | | 
All adoptees will receive a digital adoption certificate and photo of their adopted artefact, along with exclusive updates and information on your chosen object throughout the year.
LONDON.- Today the Royal Air Force Museum announced an exciting new programme which offers members of the public the opportunity to adopt one of over 50 objects within the Museums collection. Adopt an Artefact is a unique opportunity for everyone to be part of the RAFs story, while raising funds for the RAF Museum. With a collection of more than 1.3 million items, spanning more than a century of RAF history, Adopt an Artefact highlights a selection of iconic objects, each with their own fascinating story to tell. Adopt online at rafmuseum.org, where you can explore the Museums unique collection and browse through more than 50 items up for adoption, including everything from lapel badges, lucky mascots and a Red Arrows flying suit, to aircraft and even fragments of the Möhne Dam and an Operation ... More | | 
Space Mountain Attraction Vehicle. Photo: Van Eaton Galleries.
LOS ANGELES, CA.- The 65th anniversary of Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California is this month. It is a one for millions of fans worldwide, and an important milestone in the history of American pop culture. With Disney theme parks closed across the globe due to the pandemic, Van Eaton Galleries will celebrate the anniversary of Disneyland with an exciting free exhibition and auction. The auction event Disneyland: The First 65 Years will take place at Van Eaton Galleries over two days, Saturday, August 15th, 2020 and Sunday, August 16th, 2020 beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. The on-site auction will follow all COVID-19 guidelines. The auction house will also stream the auction live and bidders can participate by phone or online. The collection to be offered includes over 1,100 rare artifacts which trace the history of the iconic theme parks and Walt Disneys vision from their inception to present day. Many of the it ... More |
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| | Curtains rise in China cinemas as normality slowly returns | | Extremely rare shipwrecked 1714 Mexican gold coin worth $400,000 to be auctioned | | Doyle announces new Director of Asian Works of Art | 
A worker cleans seats in a cinema in Beijing on July 20, 2020. GREG BAKER / AFP.
by Dan Martin / Lillian Ding
SHANGHAI (AFP).- Hundreds of cinemas reopened in scores of Chinese cities Monday after a six-month nationwide shutdown due to the coronavirus, highlighting its success in taming an epidemic still raging in parts of the world. But it will be an altered experience for moviegoers: online-only ticket sales, shuttered snack bars, and social-distancing during screenings as worries over COVID-19 persist. Cinemas can sell no more than 30 percent of available tickets per show, and seat-selection charts on leading ticketing apps indicated that in many theatres people will need to sit two seats apart. But none of that prevented 25-year-old movie fan Lu Yonghao taking a day off from his human-resources job at a Shanghai company. "I'm very excited. I haven't watched (a movie) in more than half a year, so I just decided to take today off and come experience it," he told AFP before taking ... More | | 
Royal 8 Escudos of Mexico are only known for 13 dates: 1695, 1698, 1702, 1711-15, 1717, (1718 - recorded but not seen), 1723, and 1728-29.
SANTA ANA, CA.- Stacks Bowers Galleries, Americas oldest rare coin auction firm, will be featuring an historic and very rare 1714 Mexican gold coin, which could bring as much as $400,000 at auction on August 6th in Las Vegas. Known as the Presentation 8 Escudos, popular opinion is that this style was minted for Spanish dignitaries, most likely the king, as a symbol of Spains success in expanding into the New World. This coin and others like it were recovered from shipwrecks found over the last 50 years. They were once loaded aboard a fleet of galleons headed from the New World to Spain in 1715. When the ships neared what is today known as the Florida Keys, they were all sunk in a hurricane. Today, any items recovered from them are considered treasure coins and these Royal types are the finds most coveted treasure. Part of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, this specimen is the single finest graded examp ... More | | 
For three years, he was Director of Asian Arts at Heritage Auctions, overseeing their inaugural Asia Week New York auctions.
NEW YORK, NY.- Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers has announced that Richard Cervantes has joined the New York-based firm as a Senior Vice President and Director of Asian Works of Art. A former educator with a background in History and Italian Literature, Mr. Cervantes was drawn to auction in 2006 and began his career at The Samuel T. Freeman Co. of Philadelphia. As Specialist and eventual department head of both Asian Arts and Oriental Rugs at Freemans, he oversaw and coordinated auctions of fine Chinese works of art, including the sale of an important Chinese Imperial seal of the Qianlong Emperor and property from the Collection of noted Philadelphia-area financier Henry C. Gibson. For three years, he was Director of Asian Arts at Heritage Auctions, overseeing their inaugural Asia Week New York auctions. Mr. Cervantes has been a featured appraiser for seven seasons on Antiques Roadshow, ... More |
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Two Resplendent Views of Seville Cathedral
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 Creator of 1980 Moscow Olympic bear mascot dies at 84MOSCOW (AFP).- Viktor Chizhikov, the Russian illustrator behind the memorable Mishka bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, died on Monday aged 84, his publisher said. The children's book illustrator came up with the cuddly bear to represent the controversial Games, boycotted by countries including the United States. The publisher AST Deti announced his death on Facebook, calling him the "brightest representative of the post-war generation of book illustrators". Chizhikov won a contest among Soviet artists to draw the mascot. The bear Mishka wore a belt featuring the Olympic rings. He was reproduced in merchandise from badges to china figurines that have now become highly collectable. At the closing ceremony, a giant balloon figure of the bear was carried into the centre of a Moscow stadium. At the same time, people sitting in the stands ... More Finnish prodigy Makela takes classical music by stormPARIS (AFP).- He is the new wunderkind of classical music. At only 24, the young Finn Klaus Makela has been appointed musical director of the Orchestre de Paris. While he may seem head-spinningly young for such a post, Makela has actually been training to be a conductor since he was 12. "I must confess it is relatively uncommon," the modest millennial admitted to AFP when asked about taking on the baton so young. Also a brilliant cellist, he did himself no harm by wowing audiences in the French capital last year with a rapturously received concert. The age question in a profession dominated by grey heads is not something that bothers a man who was named chief conductor of the much sought-after Oslo Philharmonic two years ago. "I never thought of it, but I was very lucky because I've been conducting every week ... More Without music, Tanglewood is empty, eerie and beautifulLENOX, MASS (NYT NEWS SERVICE).- André Bernard was 3 months old when he attended his first concert at Tanglewood: Benny Goodman playing Mozarts Clarinet Concerto, in 1956. For nearly every one of the next 63 years, he has made a pilgrimage to the lush, sprawling lawn of this summer music mecca here in the Berkshires. He has had a routine. Start off on the grass, ears peeled for the bell that signaled the show was about to begin. Then migrate to the Shed, the main concert hall, open on the sides. Watch the moths dart above the brasses and bows, fluttering up to the lights. Yo-Yo Ma, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Jessye Norman, Ray Charles, The Who: Bernard has seen them all here. But he will not be able to add to that list this year. The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of Tanglewood, just as it has wiped ... More Black artists see glaring opportunism in corporate rush to use their workNEW YORK (NYT NEWS SERVICE).- The streets of New York were crowded with protesters when Shantell Martin received an email from an ad agency last month. M:United, a firm owned by the global advertising company McCann, wanted to know if Martin, a Black artist, would be interested in creating a mural about the Black Lives Matter movement on Microsofts boarded-up Fifth Avenue storefront. And could she do it, the email said, while the protests are still relevant and the boards are still up, ideally no later than this coming Sunday? Several other Black artists received the same email. In an open letter to Microsoft and McCann, Martin and the other artists described the invitation as both shocking and somehow predictable. They also wrote that it betrays a telling and dangerous opportunism. In their rush to portray a public solidarity with the Black ... More Karen Sturges named Chief Financial Officer for the Los Angeles Philharmonic AssociationLOS ANGELES, CA.- Chad Smith, David C. Bohnett Chief Executive Officer Chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, announced today, on behalf of the Board of Directors and Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, the appointment of Karen Sturges to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Karen joins the LA Phil from Endeavor Content, where she was the SVP and Head of Finance. Karen is joining the LA Phil at a pivotal moment, during a time when we are addressing the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, but more importantly, as we begin to reimagine our organization and the work it will do in the years ahead, said Chad Smith. Karens experience as an innovative finance executive in the media and entertainment sectors will be critical in helping to shape our digital future. Her love of classical music and deep appreciation for the mission ... More V&A Illustration Awards 2020 winner announcedLONDON.- Ann Kiernan has been awarded the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year and the Illustrated Journalism Award 2020. Kiernans winning illustration was commissioned by Open Democracy to accompany an article by Wael Eskandar entitled How Twitter is gagging Arabic users and acting as morality police. Simple brushstrokes and a spray of red symbolise a Twitter update that has broken free from a pencil drawn cage only to be shot down. The fluidity and drive of her brushstrokes create a sense of urgency that impressed the judges who praised Kiernans inventive use of the well-known corporate logo. Winner of Book Cover Award: Eva Eland for When Sadness Comes to Call (Andersen Press). A child looks up with curiosity and compassion at an unexpected guest, whilst sadness towers above, encompassing and extending ... More Classic car owned by Bishop of Tasmania, hero of the Spanish Flu pandemic, for sale with H&H ClassicsLONDON.- Located in Somerset this 97 year old survivor of bushwacking journeys across Tasmania is understood to have been supplied new to Reverend William Barry (later Archbishop of Hobart) who used it to visit missions, schools and churches across Tasmania. The car will be sold at H&H Classics July 22nd Live Auction Online for an estimate of £14,000 to £18,000. It reportedly stayed in single family ownership for nearly ninety years. It has a powerful 3 litre, four-cylinder sleeve valve engine which has been previously overhauled and runs well. The 118-inch (9ft 10in) wheelbase provides spacious four-seater comfort with a hood and side screens. Its owner for many years was one of five Irish brothers to join the Catholic priesthood, The Most Revered William Barry DD (later Archbishop of Hobart) was remembered in his obituary as a powerful and patriotic ... More Dix Noonan Webb to offer the Jack Webb Collection of Medals and MilitariaLONDON.- Medals and militaria from the Collection of the late Jack Webb (1923-2019) will be offered by Dix Noonan Webb in their online/ live auction of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria on Thursday, August 20, 2020 on their website www.dnw.co.uk. The collection comprises in the region of 900 lots. John Vernon Jack Webb was always destined to be a collector of medals and militaria. On 5 June 1944 he was on a troop ship preparing to take part in the D-Day landings. As the soldiers around him were ordered to remove their regimental badges Jack hurried around picking up one of each regiment. Even on the eve of the greatest military invasion of Europe, Jack was not going to miss a chance to add to his collection. From an early age Jack had a deep love of the military; his father and uncles had all fought during the Great War, and he volunteered ... More Leonid Zhabotinsky's Olympic gold winners medal among Olympic memorabilia up for auctionBOSTON, MASS.- RR Auction is presenting a special Olympic auction representing over a century of competition with a curated selection of important memorabilia that includes Olympic torches, winners medals, and ephemera such as posters and pins. In celebration of Games past, RR Auctions forthcoming Olympic Memorabilia auction will offer over 150 rare and historic artifacts commemorating the resolve and spirit of the enduring Olympic tradition. Representing over a century of competition, our curated selection is replete with Olympic torches, winner's medals, and ephemera such as posters, pins, and tickets. Among featured lots is an extremely rare winner's medal issued to legendary Ukrainian weightlifter Leonid Zhabotinsky at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction. In an athletic event that ... More Colchester's Firstsite gallery set to throw open its doors again from Friday 24 JulyCOLCHESTER.- Firstsite in Colchester is poised to reopen as the schools close for summer (Friday 24 July) and promises a packed programme of art and culture to help everyone to reflect, refresh and reconnect. The doors open at 10am, with a raft of new measures in place to provide visitors with a calm, secure and comfortable visit. Visitors do not have to book tickets to attend, but numbers will be carefully managed throughout the day to maintain 2-metre physical distancing, along with a one-way path throughout. Hand sanitiser stations have been installed at key points in the building. For added health, security and peace of mind for visitors and staff, Firstsite has also installed Perspex screens at locations such as the Welcome Desk and shop till, and staff will wear PPE in food preparation areas and where social distancing is difficult to maintain. ... More Ancient Resource Auctions announcles online Exceptional Antiquities saleMONTROSE, CALIF.- A Graeco-Roman mummified cat dating from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, a Roman marble head of a woman from the later 4th century AD, and a massive circa 3rd-1st century BC Hellenistic bronze trident are a few highlight lots in Ancient Resource Auctions online-only Exceptional Summer Antiquities Discovery Sale slated for August 1st. Its Auction 86 and were featuring an incredible assortment of antiquities from a wide variety of cultures, said Gabriel Vandervort of Ancient Resource Auctions. He added, Buyers are bound to get some really wonderful pieces at great prices. To preview all lots and to learn more, people can visit the Ancient Resource Auctions website, at www.AncientResourceAuctions.com. The auction is up and online now for pre-bidding. It will go live on auction day, August 1st at 9 am Pacific ... More |
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Flashback On a day like today, Armenian-born American artist Arshile Gorky died July 21, 1948. Arshile Gorky ( April 15, 1904 - July 21, 1948) was an American painter of Armenian descent who had a seminal influence on Abstract Expressionism. As such, his works were often speculated to have been informed by the suffering and loss he experienced of the Armenian genocide. In this image: Arshile Gorky, "Agony", 1947. Oil on canvas, 40 x 50 1/2 in., The Museum of Modern Art, New York, A. Conger Goodyear Fund. ©2010 Estate of Arshile Gorky/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.
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