In the second half of the 19th century, advances in physics, electromagnetic radiation theory, and the optical sciences provoked new thought about the physical as well as the spiritual worlds. Aspects of that thought are revealed in Edvard Munch: Color in Context, an exhibition of 21 prints that considers the choice, combinations, and meaning of color in light of spiritualist principles.
Art News
SAN FRANCISCO—Best known for his depictions of Parisian dancers and laundresses, Edgar Degas (French, 18341917) was enthralled with another aspect of modern life in the French capital: high-fashion hats and the women who created them. Degas’s fascination inspired a visually compelling and profoundly modern body of work that documents the lives of what one fashion writer of the day called “the aristocracy of the workwomen of Paris.” Despite the importance of millinery as a subject in Degas’s oeuvre, there has been little discussion of its place in Impressionist iconography, until now.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art today announced a number of new acquisitions that will significantly enrich its collection. Among the works that have been recently acquired are: a group of contemporary films and videos; Japanese ink paintings mounted as handscrolls, hanging scrolls, and folding screens; nine pieces of early American furniture that illuminate the artistic achievements of cabinetmakers in colonial New England and Pennsylvania; and a major work in stained glass dating to the 1520s commissioned for a church in Paris.
For the first time, the auction for Asian art was offered in two parts this year. The first part of Indian, South East Asian and Japanese art took place on 9 June in Cologne, whilst the second part of Chinese and Tibetan/Nepalese art was auctioned on 18 June in Lempertz' offices in Brussels. The decision to hold the auction during the Brussels’ fair for non-European art (CULTURES), and time-wise close to the China auctions in Paris, attracted many Chinese buyers – and so is over 90% of the Chinese art going back to China.
The 48th edition of Art Basel in Basel closed on Sunday, June 18, 2017, with galleries throughout the show reporting exceptional sales, pointing to Art Basel's ability to convene leading galleries and collectors from around the world. Running simultaneously with the Venice Biennale, documenta 14 and Skulptur Projekte Münster, Art Basel drew a particularly strong turnout of both established and new collectors from over 100 countries, with strong attendance from the Americas and Asia.
New York–Christie’s New York Books and Manuscripts sales realize $9,690,563, across three auctions that took place on June 15, 2017, with an overall 75% sold by lot. The various owner sale totaled $6,894,875, setting the highest total ever for a single-session various-owners Books sale at Christie’s New York.
North Carolina Museum of Art celebrates new gallery with summer programming and September community event for all ages, including free concert with Grammy award winner Angélique Kidjo.
LOS ANGELES – Modern portrayals of medieval women tend toward stereotypical images of damsels in distress, mystics in convents, female laborers in the fields, and even women of ill repute. In fact, women’s roles in the Middle Ages were varied and nuanced, and medieval depictions of womanhood were multi-faceted. Illuminating Women in the Medieval World, on view June 20 –September 17, 2017 at the J.
Diamonds in platinum, diamonds in gold… diamonds with rubies, emeralds, sapphires and amethysts. Diamond bracelets, diamond necklaces, and diamond ring after diamond ring.... Winning bidders took home diamonds by the handful from Michaan's monthly Estate Auction on Saturday, June 10. Sell-through and prices realized were excellent for the fine jewelry offered in this sale. Lots 106 and 120, the diamond pendant brooch and the Art Deco ring, each realized $16,800. Also dating from the Art Deco period was Lot 117, the diamond and platinum bracelet sold at $5,700.
Michaan's June 9 auction of Fine Art, Furniture and Decorative Arts was led by important Russian paintings from a private collection in Carmel, CA. Highlights included "Wooded Clearing" (Lot 3143, $72,000 realized) and "Na Beregu Ruchya" (Lot 3142, $22,800), both by Ivan Ivanovitch Shishkin (1832-1898). Like other artists featured in this auction, Shishkin broke from the Academic painting tradition that had dominated Russian painting for centuries, rejecting classical and religious themes and turning instead to natural landscapes and portraits.
