31.10.09

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE KNIGHTED BY THE PRINCE OF WALES


DRACULA STAR SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE WAS KNIGHTED BY THE PRINCE OF WALES AND HAILED THE HAMMER HORROR MOVIES THAT MADE HIS NAME FAMOUS. THE PROLIFIC ACTOR FAMED FOR HIS SPINE CHILLING ROLES AS COUNT DRACULA AND OTHER DARK CHARACTERS SAID HE WOULD ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO THE STUDIO THAT CREATED HIS PERSONA. LEE, WHO WAS KNIGHTED BY CHARLES AT A RECENT BUCKINGHAM PALACE INVESTITURE CEREMONY, HAS APPEARED IN MORE THAN 250 FILMS AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS AND WAS HONORED FOR SERVICES TO DRAMA AND TO CHARITY. THE 87 YEAR OLD MOVIE STAR WAS DRESSED IN A MORNING SUIT FOR THE EVENT AND WALKED WITH THE AID OF A STICK AFTER RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR A BACK INJURY HE SUSTAINED DURING A FALL. AFTER THE CEREMONY LEE SAID HE WOULD NOT DIVULGE WHAT THE PRINCE HAD SAID TO HIM AFTER BEING KNIGHTED BUT SAID THE HEIR TO THE THRONE WAS "EXTREMELY COMPLIMENTARY" ADDING "HE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN NICER AND WAS VERY EASY TO TALK TO." THE VETERAN ACTOR, WHO WAS KNIGHTED ON THE EVE OF HALLOWEEN, JOKED: "I'VE DONE A LOT OF FILMS THAT HAVE BECOME ICONIC, NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE OF ME." THESE INCLUDE 'THE WICKER MAN', WHICH THE ACTOR IS PROUD OF AS THE WRITER ANTHONY SHAFFER CREATED THE PART OF LORD SUMMERISLE FOR HIM, AND THE VILLAIN SCARAMANGA IN THE JAMES BOND MOVIE 'THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN'. LEE ADDED: "A WHOLE NEW CAREER OPENED UP FOR ME WHEN I WAS IN 'LORD OF THE RINGS' AND 'STAR WARS'. WHAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME IS, AS AN OLD MAN, I'M KNOWN BY MY OWN GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION KNOW ME TOO." HE ALSO CRITICIZED MODERN HORROR FILMS THAT SHOW "BLOOD AND GORE AND MUTILATION." HE SAID: "IT'S WHAT YOU DON'T SEE THAT KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT IN ANY KIND OF FILM, LEAVE IT TO THE IMAGINATION OF THE VIEWER."

HOCUS POCUS -- I PUT A SPELL ON YOU

30.10.09

BUCKINGHAM PALACE PRESENTS 'THE CONVERSATION PIECE: SCENES OF FASHIONABLE LIFE'


A FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO HIGH-SOCIETY STYLE AND MANNERS, FROM THE TIME OF CHARLES I TO THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA, IS PRESENTED AT THE QUEEN'S GALLERY IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE,LONDON, IN A STUNNING EXHIBITION ENTITLED 'THE CONVERSATION PIECE: SCENES OF FASHIONABLE LIFE'. TYPICALLY A CONVERSATION PIECE SHOWS A FAMILY GROUP OR A GATHERING OF FRIENDS PARTICIPATING IN INFORMAL ACTIVITIES, PERHAPS AT A TEA PARTY, ON A FISHING TRIP OR AT A DINING CLUB. WHILE A PORTRAIT PRIMARILY RECORDS THE SITTER'S APPEARANCE, THE CONVERSATION PIECE DEPICTS THEIR WAY OF LIFE. THE EXHIBITION TRACES THE ROOTS OF THE CONVERSATION PIECE BACK TO THE NETHERLANDS IN THE 17th CENTURY AND TO THE WORK OF ARTISTS AS PIETER DE HOOCH AND GODFRIED SCHALCKEN. THIS FORM OF GROUP PORTRAITURE REACHED THE HEIGHT OF ITS POPULARITY IN GEORGIAN ENGLAND, AND THE EXHIBITION INCLUDES OUTSTANDING PAINTINGS BY THE GREATEST EXPONENTS OF THE CONVERSATION PIECE, JOHAN ZOFFANY, WILLIAM HOGARTH AND THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH. TO COMPLEMENT THE SELECTION OF ROYAL CONVERSATION PIECES, THE EXHIBITION SHOWS EXAMPLES OF THE GENRE ACQUIRED BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY OVER THE PAST FOUR CENTURIES.
THE CENTERPIECE OF THE EXHIBITION IS A GROUP OF WORKS BY ZOFFANY, PERHAPS THE GREATEST PRACTITIONER OF THE CONVERSATION PIECE. A GERMAN BORN PAINTER WHO SETTLED IN ENGLAND, ZOFFANY WAS A FAVORITE OF GEORGE III AND PAINTED NUMEROUS WORKS FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE KING AND HIS CONSORT, QUEEN CHARLOTTE, COMMISSIONED THE ARTIST TO CELEBRATE THE VIRTUES OF 'NORMAL' FAMILY LIFE. IN QUEEN CHARLOTTE WITH HER TWO ELDEST SONS, ZOFFANY SHOWS THE LAVISHLY ATTIRED QUEEN AS AN ATTENTIVE MOTHER WITH HER CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY DOG GATHERED AROUND HER. THE EXHIBITION INCLUDES ZOFFANY'S GREATEST PAINTING, 'THE TRIBUNA OF THE UFFIZI', IN WHICH A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING OF ARISTOCRATS, ARTISTS AND GRAND TOURISTS ARE SET AGAINST A DAZZLING ASSEMBLAGE OF MASTERPIECES.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL RARE RUSSIAN MINIATURE OF PETER THE GREAT


A MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF CZAR PETER THE GREAT IN A DIAMOND ENCRUSTED FRAME, OWNED FOR DECADES BY AN ARIZONA FAMILY THAT DIDN'T REALIZE ITS HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE, IS GOING ON THE AUCTION BLOCK. THE EARLY 18th CENTURY PIECE WILL BE SOLD AT SOTHEBY'S AUCTION HOUSE, NEW YORK, 2.NOVEMBER AND IS EXPECTED TO FETCH $80,000 TO $120,000. THE ESTATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER, GEORGE ROBERTS, LEARNED OF ITS IMPORTANCE DURING AN APPRAISAL OVER THE SUMMER. ROBERTS PURCHASED IT IN 1951 FROM A LONDON DEALER. IN 2001, ONE OF THE TWO IN PRIVATE HANDS SOLD FOR $132,500 AT CHRISTIE'S. EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT AS FEW AS 10 OF THE BEJEWELED MINIATURES WERE BESTOWED BY PETER THE GREAT ON HIS SUBJECTS FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO HIM. UNTIL THE LATEST DISCOVERY, ONLY FIVE WERE KNOWN TO EXIST, THREE OF THEM IN MUSEUM COLLECTIONS. THEY PREDATE THE BETTER KNOWN ORDER OF ST ANDREW AWARD FOR CIVILIAN AND MILITARY MERIT. THE 3½-HIGH OVAL PORTRAIT AT THE UPCOMING SALE DEPICTS PETER THE GREAT IN A BLUE CAPE AND THE SASH OF THE ORDER OF ST ANDREW. THE FRAME HANGS FROM AN IMPERIAL CROWN SURROUNDED WITH DIAMONDS. THE REVERSE SIDE IS ENGRAVED WITH A TRIPLE-CROWNED, IMPERIAL DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE. WHILE BELIEVING IT HAD SOME VALUE BECAUSE OF THE DIAMONDS, ROBERTS' GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO LIVES IN NORTHERN ARIZONA, HAD NO IDEA IT WAS AN EARLY 18th CENTURY WORK OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE, SOTHEBY'S SAID. AFTER HER GRANDFATHER BOUGHT IT, IT SPENT SOME TIME IN ILLINOIS WHERE HE LIVED AND FINALLY ENDED UP IN ARIZONA WHERE THE FAMILY KEPT IT IN A DISPLAY CABINET. IT WILL BE SOLD AS PART OF SOTHEBY'S RUSSIAN ART SALE.

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM REACHES FUND-RAISING MILESTONE


THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM, BOSTON, HAS REACHED A CRITICAL BENCHMARK IN EARLY FUND-RAISING FOR ITS NEW BUILDING AND PALACE RESTORATION PROJECT. THE GARDNER MUSEUM HAS RAISED, TO DATE, MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN GIFTS AND PLEDGES, REPRESENTING SUPPORT FROM THE MUSEUM'S ENTIRE BOAR OF TRUSTEES, AS WELL AS FROM THE MUSEUM OVERSEER, OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDERS. THIS EARLY FUND-RAISING WILL HELP TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BUILDING DESIGNED BY PRITZKER PRIZE WINNING ARCHITECT RENZO PIANO, LOCATED BEHIND THE GARDNER MUSEUM. DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE HISTORIC MUSEUM, THE NEW BUILDING, LIKE ISABELLA GARDNER'S ORIGINAL, WILL BE A WORK OF ART AND A CULTURAL LANDMARK FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON. THE PROJECT WILL HELP TO PRESERVE THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM BY REDUCING WEAR AND TEAR ON THE MUSEUM PALACE AND WORLD RENOWNED COLLECTION BY RE-LOCATING VISITOR SERVICES TO THE NEW BUILDING, AND WILL HOUSE NEW AREA FOR PROGRAMMING CARRYING FORWARD GARDNER'S LEGACY AS A CENTER FOR CREATIVITY. THE MUSEUM IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ARCHITECT RENZO PIANO AND RENZO PIANO BUILDING WORKSHOP ON FINAL REFINEMENTS TO THE DESIGN OF THE NEW BUILDING, INCLUDING PLANS FOR THE EXTERIOR CLADDING AND MATERIALS. WHILE FINAL DESIGN REFINEMENTS ARE STILL UNDERWAY, THE MUSEUM ANTICIPATES TOTAL PROJECTED HARD AND SOFT COSTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BUILDING TO BE APPROXIMATELY $115 MILLION. IN ADDITION, THE CAMPAIGN WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR THE ENDOWMENT AND FOR THE PRESERVATION WORK ON THE COLLECTION AND THE HISTORIC BUILDING , IN ADDITION TO THE RESTORATION OF GALLERY AREAS IN THE EXISTING MUSEUM PALACE. THE MUSEUM WILL UNVEIL THE FINAL DESIGN IN EARLY 2010. THE MUSEUM ALSO WILL LAUNCH A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO THE NEW BUILDING PROJECT AT THAT TIME. "PRESERVATION IS AT THE HEART OF THIS INITIATIVE", SAYS BARBARA HOSTETTER, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEE. "THE NEW BUILDING AND RESTORATION PROJECT WILL ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC MUSEUM AND COLLECTION, WHILE GIVING LIFE TO ISABELLA GARDENER'S LEGACY OF SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS, MUSIC, LANDSCAPE AND SCHOLARSHIP. THE EARLY SUPPORT AND ENTHUSIASM THAT WE ARE SEEING FOR THE PROJECT UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GARDNER MUSEUM, AND OF THIS PROJECT, TO THE MANY WHO LOVE AND CHERISH ITS UNIQUE LEGACY."

29.10.09

GODIVA HOME FRAGRANCE COLLECTION


GODIVA CHOCOLATIER RECENTLY UNVEILED A NEW WAY TO INDULGE IN THE SENSORIAL DECADENCE OF ITS CHOCOLATES, THE NEW GODIVA HOME FRAGRANCE COLLECTION. GODIVA SCENTED CANDLES ARE THE BRAND'S FIRST FORAY INTO THE HOME FRAGRANCE CATEGORY IN ITS OVER 80 YEAR HISTORY AND REPRESENT A DEPARTURE FROM GODIVA'S TRADITIONAL CULINARY INNOVATIONS. LED BY LEGENDARY CANDLE QUEEN LAURA SLATKIN, THE GODIVA FRAGRANCE COLLECTION WAS DEVELOPED BY COMBINING THE TALENTS OF THE FRAGRANCE INDUSTRY'S MASTER PERFUMERS WITH THE EXPERTISE OF GODIVA'S MASTER CHEF CHOCOLATIERS. THE RESULT IS GODIVA CANDLES FIVE SOPHISTICATED AND DELECTABLE FRAGRANCES WHICH ARE PERFECT FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON: HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT BARK, MILK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE, BLACK ALMOND TRUFFLE, WHITE CHOCOLATE MAGNOLIA AND RASPBERRY GANACHE. THE PACKAGING IS REMINISCENT OF GODIVA'S ICONIC GOLD BALLOTINS AND THE SCENTS ARE DESIGNATED BY DIFFERENT COLOUR PRINTED RIBBONS ON EACH. THE CHOCOLATE BROWN TINTED GLASSES CELEBRATE GODIVA'S RICH CHOCOLATE HERITAGE AND ARE ADORNED WITH THE GODIVA LOGO. THESE READY TO GIFT CANDLES ARE A NEW, FUN AND UNIQUE WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE GODIVA BRAND FOR ONLY $22.50.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BUDAPEST PRESENTS FROM BOTTICELLI TO TITIAN


THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE EXHIBITION TO DATE DEDICATED TO THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE WILL RUN IN THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, FROM 28.OCTOBER THROUGH 14.FEBRUARY.2010. THE LARGE SCALE EXHIBITION ENTITLED 'FROM BOTTICELLI TO TITIAN: MASTERPIECES OF TWO CENTURIES OF ITALIAN PAINTING' WILL DISPLAY PAINTINGS ON LOAN TO THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS FROM OVER FIFTY MUSEUMS, INCLUDING THE UFFIZI IN FLORENCE, THE LOUVRE IN PARIS, THE NATIONAL GALLERIES OF LONDON AND WASHINGTON, THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM IN NEW YORK, THE GALLERIA BORGHESE IN ROME AND THE PRADO IN MADRID. IN ADDITION TO WORKS BY BOTTICELLI AND TITIAN, THE 130 PAINTINGS ON SHOW REPRESENT THE ART OF OVER EIGHTY MASTERS, AMONG THEM LEONARDO, RAPHAEL, VERONESE AND TINTORETTO. THE EXHIBIT OF 15th-16th CENTURY ITALIAN PAINTINGS OFFERS VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH MASTERPIECES BY THE GREATEST ARTISTS OF THE PERIOD AND EXPLORE THE EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLECTUAL AND ARTISTIC PROCESSES IN THE MOST IMPORTANT CULTURAL CENTERS. THE BUDAPEST EXHIBITION WILL DISPLAY WORKS THAT ARE A SENSATION IN THEMSELVES: TITIAN'S 'MAN WITH A GLOVE', BARTOLOMEO VENETO'S 'FLORA', BOTTICELLI'S 'STORY OF VIRGINIA', COSSA'A 'PORTRAIT OF A MAN', PERUGINO'S 'PORTRAIT OF FRANCESCO DELLE OPERE', AND PALMA VECCHIO'S 'LA BELLA' ARE ALL OUTSTANDING PIECES OF THE PERIOD.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.szepmuveszeti.hu/

WORLD'S LARGEST MONA LISA UNVEILED IN WREXHAM WALES


A GIANT VERSION OF LEONARDO DO VINCI'S MASTERPIECE MONA LISA HAS GONE ON DISPLAY AT THE EAGLES MEADOW SHOPPING CENTRE IN WREXHAM, WALES. IT MEASURES 17.5m, COVERS 240m sq AND IN 50 TIMES BIGGER THAN THE ORIGINAL 16th CENTURY WHICH IS HANGING IN THE LOUVRE, PARIS. THE WREXHAM VERSION, WHICH COULD ACCOMMODATE 22 LONDON DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES, IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE VERSION PAINTED BY ROLF HARRIS IN EDINBURGH IN 2005. ARTIST KATY WEBSTER WAS IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT WHICH INVOLVED 245 PEOPLE AND TOOK 978 MAN HOURS TO PAINT, USING 86 LITERS OF PAINT. IT WAS PAINTED ON SCORES OF DIFFERENT SEGMENTS BY COMMUNITY GROUPS INCLUDING VICTORIA PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE HAULFAN SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SPEAKING AFTER THE MEGA MONA LISA WA UNVEILED THE ARTIST SAID: "IT'S KIND OF MIND BLOWING HOW BIG SHE IS BUT THE SMILE IS STILL AS ENIGMATIC AS EVER. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK TO DO HER FACE, THAT WAS THE HARDEST BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE SO WE HAD TO MAKE SURE IT WAS EXACTLY RIGHT. OUR VERSION HAS A DIFFERENT STYLE TO THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE THE PAINT IS ACRYLIC, BUT I THINK IT WORKS." THE WORK WAS CREATED TO RAISE MONEY FOR HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOSPICE WHICH PROVIDES VITAL SHELTER FOR TERMINALLY ILL YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SUPPORTERS OF THE CHARITY CAN BUY A PIECE OF THE REPLICA WITH THE MONEY GOING TO HOPE HOUSE. THE VAST COPY WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE BEING BROKEN UP

28.10.09

CHRISTIE'S EXPANDS INTO THE INSURANCE BUSINESS


CHRISTIE'S HAS BEEN EXPANDING ITS SERVICES LATELY. THE AUCTION HOUSE HAS BEEN EXPANDING ITS ART STORAGE SERVICE BUSINESS AND NOW IT WILL BE OFFERING COMPLETE COVERAGE FOR COLLECTORS WHO WANT TO INSURE THEIR VALUABLES, HOMES, CARS AND OTHER POSSESSIONS UNDER A SINGLE POLICY. CHRISTIE'S INSURANCE SERVICES IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEATH LAMBERT AND CHUBB INSURANCE AND WILL BE OFFERED TO CHRISTIE'S PRIVATE CLIENTS WHO HAVE SPECIALIZED NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TO STORING AND TRANSPORTING VALUABLE ART. THE SERVICE WILL ALSO OFFER AUTOMATIC COVERAGE ON ANY NEW PIECES PURCHASED THROUGH CRISTIE'S. THE TIMES ONLINE QUOTES ADAM PRIDEAUX, AN ART INSURANCE BROKER AT HEATH LAMBERT, WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE SERVICE BECAUSE, DUE TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN "THERE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLE PROBLEMS FOR THE ART INSURANCE MARKET DUE TO PRESSURES ON CAPACITY AGAINST THE EXCEPTIONAL PRICES OF CERTAIN WORKS." CHRISTIE'S ALREADY OFFERS A VALUATION SERVICE AND WILL NOW HAVE RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISE FOR THOSE NEEDING COUNSEL ON HOW TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF THEIR COLLECTIONS. AT FIRST THE INSURANCE WILL BE ONLY AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS I LONDON AND THOSE IN EUROPE WHO ARE SERVICED FROM LONDON.

27.10.09

DUKE OF EDINBURGH MAKES ANOTHER SOCIAL GAFFE DURING STATE FUNCTION


THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH HAS COMMITTED ANOTHER GAFFE AFTER TELLING BUSINESSMAN ATUL PATEL "THERE'S A LOT OF YOUR FAMILY IN TONIGHT" DURING A RECEPTION FOR 400 BRITISH INDIANS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. THE PRINCE, 88, WHOSE JOKES HAVE LANDED HIM IN HOT WATER IN THE PAST, WAS WELCOMING HIS GUESTS AT THE EVENT AHEAD OF THE STATE VISIT BY PRATIBHA PATIL, INDIA'S PRESIDENT, THIS WEEK. HE MADE THE REMARK AFTER NOTICING MR PATEL'S NAME TAG AS ATTENDEES LINED UP TO MEET THE ROYAL COUPLE FOLLOWING THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE PALACE. A SPOKESMAN FOR PATEL CONFIRMED THE COMMENT WAS MADE BUT SAID THE 47 YEAR OLD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF LHA-ASRA GROUP, ONE OF BRITAIN'S FOREMOST HOUSING ASSOCIATES, HAD TAKEN IT IN GOOD HUMOR. HE TOLD THE SUN: "ABSOLUTELY NO OFFENSE WAS TAKEN AT ALL BY ATUL. IT WAS TAKEN IN A VERY LIGHT-HEARTED WAY." PATEL IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON INDIAN SURNAME AFTER SINGH, AND IS THE 24th MOST POPULAR IN BRITAIN WITH ABOUT 670,000 PATELS LIVING IN GREAT BRITAIN. PRESIDENT PATIL BEGAN HER STATE VISIT TO BRITAIN BY ARRIVING IN LONDON LAST NIGHT. SHE WILL BE OFFICIALLY WELCOMED BY THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP TODAY BEFORE A GRAND STATE BANQUET TONIGHT AT WINDSOR CASTLE, WHERE SHE WILL ENJOY A TWO-NIGHT STAY. IN 2000, PRINCE PHILIP ATTRACTED CONTROVERSY WHEN HE SAID DURING A TOUR OF A FACTORY NEAR EDINBURGH THAT A FUSE BOX WAS SO CRUDE IT "LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN PIT IN BY AN INDIAN."

V & A LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE SEARCH ENGINE CONTAINING OVER 1 MILLION OBJECTS


THE VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM ANNOUNCED THAT VISITORS TO ITS WEBSITE CAN NOW FIND ONLINE OVER ONE MILLION RECORDS DETAILING OBJECTS IN ITS COLLECTION RANGING FROM WELL KNOWN TREASURES SUCH AS TIPPOO'S 'TIGER' TO LESS FAMILIAR PAINTINGS AND CERAMICS. PEOPLE USING SEARCH THE COLLECTIONS, AT collections.vam.ac.uk, WILL FIND IMAGES OF MORE THAN 100,000 OBJECTS WITH MORE IMAGES AND DETAILS TO FOLLOW AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THE ONLINE RECORDS VARY FROM DETAILED STUDIES WRITTEN BY CURATORS TO MORE BASIC INVENTORY INFORMATION WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE THE MAKER, PROVENANCE, PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE AND STYLE. VISITORS CAN ALSO LOOK UP WHETHER AN OBJECT IS ON DISPLAY AND WHERE IN THE MUSEUM IT CAN BE FOUND. AS A LIVE DATABASE, 'SEARCH THE COLLECTIONS' WILL CONTINUALLY GROW AND BE UPDATED AS NEW RESEARCH AND PHOTOGRAPHY IS CARRIED OUT, OBJECTS ARE MOVED AND NEW ACQUISITIONS MADE. MARK JONES, DIRECTOR OF THE V&A, SAID: "THIS IS A VERY EXCITING DEVELOPMENT FOR THE V&A AS FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE OUR WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY. WE KNOW OUR VISITORS AND WEBSITE USERS WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE V&A COLLECTIONS, WHETHER IT IS A SCHOOL CHILD WORKING ON A PROJECT OR AN ARTIST OR CRAFTS-PERSON LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION." USERS EXPLORE THE SITE BY CLICKING ON IMAGES THAT SCROLL ACROSS THE SCREEN OR BY ACCESSING THE POWERFUL SEARCH ENGINE THAT IDENTIFIES OBJECTS BY TYPE, MAKER, DATE, MATERIAL OR LOCATION IN THE V&A.

MARNI MACAROONS BY LADUREE



ITALIAN LUXURY BRAND MARNI HAS TEAMED UP WITH PARISIAN PATISSERIE LADUREE TO CREATE AN EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION OF DELICIOUS MACAROONS. CONSUELO CASTIGLIONI, OWNER OF MARNI, DESIGNED THE UNIQUE FASHION STATEMENT BOXES WHICH INCORPORATES THE BRAND'S SIGNATURE ELEMENTS, POLKA DOTS AND A GOLD FLOWER. LADUREE'S PASTRY CHEF PHILIPPE ANDRIEU, MEANWHILE, HAS TAKEN INSPIRATION FROM MARNI DESIGNS TO MAKE DELECTABLE MOUTH-WATERING CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS, EACH ONE ADORNED WITH A STUNNING SHEET OF GOLD LEAF. AVAILABLE IN AN 8 OR 18 MACAROON BOX BEGINNING 1.DECEMBER.2009, FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, AT LADUREE

26.10.09

THE BATTERED ROYAL TEA TRAY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH REVEALED



IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING PUT TOGETHER WITH THREE BITS OF DISCARDED WOOD AND THE HELP OF BLUE PETER. BUT THE SHABBY LOOKING OLD TEA TRAY, CARRYING ITS MISMATCHED CROCKERY, HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY, DELIVERING THE QUEEN'S 'BREAKFAST IN BED' AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. GIVEN THE INFAMOUS REVELATION RECENTLY ABOUT THE MONARCH'S USE OF TUPPERWARE CONTAINERS FOR CEREAL, PERHAPS IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT SHE'S HAPPY WITH THE SIMPLER THINGS IN LIFE. HER DAILY ROUTINE HAS STARTED IN MUCH THE SAME WAY THROUGHOUT HER STUNNING 58 YEAR REIGN AS QUEEN. THAT MEANS TEA, WHITE TOAST, BUTTER AND JAM, AND SOMETIMES AN OAT BISCUIT, BROUGHT UP TO HER BEDCHAMBER IN THE ROYAL APARTMENTS AT 8am, ALONG WITH A SELECTION OF THE DAILY PAPERS. APPARENTLY, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PREFERS RYVITA AND GRANARY TOAST. THE DAILY TRAY IS PREPARED DOWNSTAIRS IN THE PALACE COFFEE ROOM, WERE NATURALLY THERE IS AN AIR OF FORMALITY. A PRINTED SIGN ABOVE THE AREA ON WHICH THE TRAY IS PREPARED READS: 'H.M. THE QUEEN & H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S BREAKFAST TRAY.' AS ANOTHER NOTICE REVEALS, STAFF ARE HOWEVER ENCOURAGED TO INCORPORATE A LITTLE VARIETY BY USING A SELECTION OF PATTERNED CROCKERY THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
THE 'BELOW STAIRS' REVELATIONS COME AFTER BUCKINGHAM PALACE SET UP ITS OWN TRAINING SCHEME TO CREATE A FLEET OF 'JEEVESES' WHO CAN 'BUTTLE WITH THE BEST'. LAST MONTH IT AWARDED ITS FIRST TWO DIPLOMAS FOR BUTLERS (BOTH TO WOMEN), WHICH IS NOW OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS A CITY AND GUILDS LEVEL 3 VOCATION QUALIFICATION. ACCORDING TO PALACE STEWARD NIGEL MCEVOY, WHO HAS WORKED FOR THE QUEEN FOR 22 YEARS AND WHOSE BRAINCHILD THE DIPLOMA WAS, A GOOD BUTLER REQUIRES 'DEDICATION AND PASSION'. THERE ARE 20 BUTLERS AND FOOTMEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND OTHER ROYAL RESIDENCES. THEIR DUTIES INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM VALETING TO FLOWER ARRANGING, AND ANTIQUE RESTORATION.

SAM FOGG PRESENTS MEDIEVAL ART AND THE CONTEMPORARY SPIRIT


SAM FOGG, ONE OF THE GREATEST DEALERS IN MEDIEVAL ART, IS BRINGING TO NEW YORK A RARE EXHIBITION OF PRECIOUS OBJECTS. THE PROJECT IS UNDERTAKEN IN COLLABORATION WITH RICHARD L FEIGEN & CO. IT IS TITLED 'MEDIEVAL ART AND THE CONTEMPORARY SPIRIT' AND WILL BE HELD FROM 29.OCTOBER.2009 THROUGH 5.FEBRUARY.2010. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ORIENT MEDIEVAL OBJECTS TO CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS AND SPACES. THE WORKS OF SAM FOGG HAS SELECTED, WITH RICHARD L FEIGEN & CO, ARE OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS, SPANNING FROM THE 12th TO THE EARLY 16th CENTURIES AND ORIGINATING IN FRANCE, ITALY, BURGUNDY AND GERMANY. THE EXHIBITION WILL INCLUDE SCULPTURE, WORKS OF ART, MINIATURES AND MANUSCRIPTS. AMONG THE EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE A GILDED AND POLYCHROMED WALNUT FIGURE OF SAINT PETER ATTRIBUTED TO CLAUS DE WERVE AND INTENDED FOR THE ALTER FRONTAL OF THE 'CORONATION OF THE VIRGIN' AT CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF THEULEY, FRANCHE-COMTE; AND EXTRAORDINARY LATE 12th CENTURY CARVING OF BELIAL, THE EMBODIMENT OF EVIL, PROBABLY FROM THE CATHEDRAL PULPIT AT CALVI VECCHIA, NEAR CAPUA; AND A MONUMENTAL GRADUAL MADE FOR THE BENEDICTINE OLIVETANS OF LOMBARDY, ILLUMINATED BY THE OLIVETAN MASTER AND THE MASTER OF THE LODI CHOIR BOOKS PRESERVED IN ITS ORIGINAL EARLY 15th CENTURY BINDING.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.rlfeigen.com/

HARRY WINSTON PREMIER COLLECTION GUGGENHEIM CHRONOGRAPH TIMEPIECE


HARRY WINSTON RECENTLY DEBUTED ITS NEWEST CREATION SPECIALLY MADE FOR THE GUGGENHEIM ART MUSEUM, NEW YORK. THE STUNNING HARRY WINSTON PREMIER COLLECTION GUGGENHEIM CHRONOGRAPH TIMEPIECE, FOR WOMEN, IS ALL ABOUT MAKING A DAZZLING STATEMENT. THE DIAL DESIGN IS MEANT TO REPLICATE THE AMAZING VIEW WHEN STANDING IN THE GUGGENHEIM ATRIUM LOBBY AND LOOKING UP TOWARD THE UMBRELLA LIKE ATRIUM WINDOWS. THE LOOK IS DONE WITH ALTERNATING DIAMONDS, WITH A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 2.65 CARATS, AND MOTHER OF PEARL, SET IN 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD. FOR THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND HARRY WINSTON ENTHUSIAST WHO WANTS TO ADD THIS BRILLIANT TIMEPIECE TO THEIR COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY THE GUGGENHEIM ONLINE MUSEUM, AT www.guggenheimstore.org, FOR $46,000, WITH MUSEUM MEMBERS RECEIVING A SPECIAL DISCOUNT OF $4,600. ALSO AVAILABLE VIA THE ONLINE CATALOG ARE SEVERAL MATCHING HARRY WINSTON ACCESSORIES CREATED FOR THE GUGGENHEIM COLLECTION.

25.10.09

ACQUISITIONS AT THE WHITNEY, NELSON-ATKINS AND THE HIGH ATLANTA


THIS WEEK BROUGHT A WONDERFUL SPATE OF ALWAYS-WELCOMED ACQUISITIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SEVERAL WELL KNOWN CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.
ATLANTA'S HIGH MUSEUM OF ART RECENTLY REPORTED ADDING 300 WORKS TO ITS PERMANENT COLLECTION IN 209, INCLUDING TWO DONATED RENOIR PAINTINGS, 'WOMAN ARRANGING HER HAT(ca. 1890) AND STILL LIFE WITH APPLES (ca. 1890); 53 PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER SEKAER, AND A PAINTING BY FOLK ARTIST WILLIAM HAWKINS, 'ALL ABOUT EVE', PARTIALLY GIFTED BY NEW YORK GALLERY OWNERS FRANK MARESCA AND ROGER RICCO. THE MUSEUM ALSO RECEIVED SEVERAL WORKS AS PART OF NEW YORK COLLECTORS HERBERT AND DOROTHY VOGEL'S "50 WORKS FOR 50 STATES" GIVEAWAY, INCLUDING WORKS BY RICHARD TUTTLE, WILLIAM ANASTASI AND STEPHEN ANTONAKOS.
THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, IN THE WAKE OF ITS POPULAR WILLIAM EGGLESTON RETROSPECTIVE, WHICH CLOSED IN JANUARY, HAS ACQUIRED 13 OF HIS IMAGES, THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS, INCLUDING THREE FROM THE SHOW. THE GIFT, FROM COLLECTORS JONATHAN SOBEL AND MARCIA DUNN, WHO HELPED FINANCE THE SHOW, NEARLY DOUBLES THE WHITNEY'S COLLECTION OF WORKS BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER. AMONG THEM ARE SEVERAL IMAGES FROM "LOST AND FOUND", EGGLESTON'S RARELY SEEN LOS ALMOS SERIES, THE WHEREABOUTS OF WHICH WERE LONG UNKNOWN BECAUSE NO ONE REALIZED THEY BELONGED TO CURATOR WALTER HOPPS, A CLOSE FRIEND OF EGGLESTON WHO DIED IN 2005.
AND THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART IN KANSAS CITY ANNOUNCED RECENTLY THAT A GIFT OF 34 WORKS OF AMERICAN INDIAN ART FROM LONGTIME MUSEUM PATRONS ESTELLE AND MORTON SOSLAND, WHO ALSO COMMISSIONED FOR THE MUSEUM LAWN 15 YEARS AGO THE ICONIC CLAES VAN OLDENBURG AND COOSJE VAN BRUGGEN SHUTTLECOCKS.