LOUVRE ACQUIRES 17th CENTURY PAINTING 'SAINT PETER'S DENIAL'

THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND THE LOUVRE HAVE ACQUIRED THE PAINTING 'SAINT PETER'S DENIAL', BY FRENCH PAINTER ANTOINE OR LOUIS LE NAIN, ATTRIBUTED TO THE 17th CENTURY LORRAINE SCHOOL. THE PAINTING IS THE MUSEUM'S LATEST ACQUISITION AND WAS PURCHASED BY A PRIVATE PATRONAGE FOR $16,560,000. THE PAINTING 'WAS FOUND IN AN ATTIC IN LUNEVILLE' AND SOLD AT AUCTION IN NANCY ON 19.MARCH.2000. ESTIMATED AT 200,000 FRANCS, IT WAS ACQUIRED BY THE PARISIAN DEALER CHARLES BAILLY FOR 9.2 MILLION FRANCS. THE PAINTING WAS DENIED AN EXPORT PERMIT AND WAS ACQUIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AXA.
THE THREE LE NAIN BROTHERS WERE PAINTERS IN 17th CENTURY FRANCE; ANTOINE LE NAIN (c.1599-1648), LOUIS LE NAIN (c.1593-1648), AND MATHIEU LE NAIN (1607-1677). THE THREE WERE BORN IN LAON, AND BY 1630, ALL THREE LIVED IN PARIS. BECAUSE OF THE REMARKABLE SIMILARITY OF THEIR STYLES OF PAINTING AND THE DIFFICULTY OF DISTINGUISHING WORKS BY EACH BROTHER (THEY SIGNED THEIR PAINTINGS ONLY WITH THEIR SURNAME, AND MANY HAVE BEEN COLLABORATIONS), THEY ARE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A SINGLE ENTITY, LE NAIN. LOUIS IS USUALLY CREDITED WITH THE BEST KNOWN OF THEIR PAINTINGS, A SERIES OF SCENES DEPICTING PEASANT LIFE. THE LE NAIN PAINTINGS HAD A REVIVAL IN THE 1840s AND, THANKS TO THE EXERTIONS OF CHAMPFLEURY, MADE THEIR APPEARANCE ON THE WALLS OF THE LOUVRE IN 1848. CHAMPFLEURY WAS A FRIEND OF REALIST PAINTER GUSTAVE COURBET, A THEORIST OF REALISM AND WRITER ON FRENCH POPULAR ARTS. THE 'NAIVE' QUALITY OF THESE WORKS, WITH THEIR STATIC POSES, 'AWKWARD' COMPOSITIONS AND PEASANT SUBJECTS WERE ADMIRED AND MAY WELL HAVE EXERCISED SOME INFLUENCE ON MANY 19th CENTURY ARTISTS, NOTABLY COURBET HIMSELF.

PRINCE WILLIAM IS AWARDED HIS WINGS AS A HELICOPTER PILOT

PRINCE WILLIAM HAS BEEN AWARDED HIS WINGS AS A FULLY-FLEDGED HELICOPTER PILOT WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND KATE MIDDLETON BY HIS SIDE. FLT LT WILLIAM WALES WAS PRESENTED WITH HIS FLYING BADGE DURING A GRADUATION CEREMONY AT RAF SHAWBURY IN SHROPSHIRE BY THE PRINCE OF WALES, IN HIS CAPACITY AS AIR CHIEF MARSHAL, AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL. MIDDLETON LOOKED ON PROUDLY AND APPLAUDED DURING THE 30 MINUTE CEREMONY. PRINCE WILLIAM SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A YEAR LONG ADVANCED ROTARY TRAINING AT RAF SHAWBURY AFTER TRAINING ON TWIN-ENGINED GRIFFINS TO BECOME A FULL-TIME PILOT WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE'S SEARCH AND RESCUE FORCE (SARF). THE MILITARY OF DEFENSE SAID HE PASSED WITH 'FLYING COLOURS'. HE IS DUE TO BEGIN A SEARCH AND RESCUE CONVERSION COURSE AT RAF VALLEY IN ANGLESEY IN WALES WHERE HE WILL BE TAUGHT TO FLY SEA KING HELICOPTERS AFTER HE RETURNS FROM HIS FIRST OFFICIAL OVERSEAS TRIP REPRESENTING THE QUEEN TO NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. THE 27 YEAR OLD WILL LEARN TO MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT WITH PINPOINT ACCURACY, ENABLING HIM TO RESCUE STRICKEN MOUNTAINEERS OR EXHAUSTED SWIMMERS IN TREACHEROUS CONDITIONS. PRINCE WILLIAM IS EXPECTED TO SERVE IN THE FALKLANDS THIS YEAR AS PART OF HIS TRAINING, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE DUKE OF YORK WHO SERVED AS A HELICOPTER PILOT IN THE WAR IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC IN 1982. HE WILL BECOME AN OPERATIONAL PILOT IN 2011 AND UNDERTAKE A THREE-YEAR SEARCH AND RESCUE TOUR OF DUTY. HE WAS GRANTED PROVISIONAL WINGS IN 2007 AFTER COMPLETING A BESPOKE COURSE DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE HIM TO THE RAF AND FLYING. PRINCE HARRY, WHO IS ALSO TRAINING TO BE A HELICOPTER PILOT BUT WITH THE ARMY AIR CORPS, IS EXPECTED TO WIN HIS WINGS IN MAY.

EXPERTS RESTORE PART OF VENICE'S PALAZZO DUCALE

EXPERTS HAVE RESTORED PART OF VENICE'S PALAZZO DUCALE, CLEANING MARBLE FACADES AND UNCOVERING HIDDEN SHADES OF COLOUR AND GOLD. THE GOTHIC PALACE IN ST MARK'S SQUARE HOUSED THE CITY'S TOP OFFICIAL, THE DOGE, WHEN VENICE WAS THE CAPITAL OF AN INDEPENDENT AND POWERFUL REPUBLIC. THE MUSEUM THAT NOW PRESERVES THE PALACE SAID THURSDAY THAT EXPERTS HAD RESTORED THE FACADES OVERLOOKING AN INTERNAL COURTYARD AND THE ADJOINING CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS. DURING THE WORK ON WHAT WAS THE DOGE'S PRIVATE CHURCH, WATER INFILTRATION WAS REPAIRED AND CLEANERS BROUGHT TO LIGHT TRACES OF GOLD PLATING, COLOURED MARBLE AND PAINT WHICH ORIGINALLY DECORATED THE WHOLE PALACE. THE RESTORATION BEGAN IN 2007 AND COST NEARLY $3.6 MILLION.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL OLD MASTERS FROM LACMA COLLECTION

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART (LACMA) IS SENDING A GROUP OF OLD MASTER PAINTINGS TO THE AUCTION BLOCK AT SOTHEBY'S ON 28.JANUARY, THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF WORKS THAT THE INSTITUTION HAS PRUNED FROM ITS MASSIVE COLLECTION OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. 'IT MAY SEEM SHOCKING THAT I AM SELLING PAINTINGS, BUT I'M WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CRITICISM', SAID PATRICE MARANDEL, THE MUSEUM'S CHIEF CURATOR OF PAINTINGS, WHO HAS BEEN OVERSEEING THE SALES. HE NOTES THAT MOST OF THE WORKS THAT HE HAS MOVED TO SELL HAD SAT IN STORAGE IN RECENT YEARS BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER CONFORM WITH LACMA'S GOALS FOR ITS EXHIBITION PROGRAM. THE MUSEUM HAS ALSO BEEN ADDING TO ITS EUROPEAN PAINTINGS COLLECTION THROUGH PURCHASES AND DONATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, LOS ANGELES COLLECTORS HANNAH AND EDWARD CARTER LEFT 34 PAINTINGS FROM THE 17th CENTURY TO THE MUSEUM, AND MARANDEL SAYS THAT HE IS STILL ON THE HUNT FOR MORE FLEMISH PAINTINGS. THIS MONTH, LACMA WILL REOPEN ITS GALLERIES FOR DUTCH, FLEMISH, SPANISH AND FRENCH PAINTINGS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR NEARLY A YEAR FOR RENOVATIONS. THE MUSEUM ALSO PLANS TO REOPEN ITS ITALIAN BAROQUE ART GALLERY NEXT MONTH, WHICH WILL FEATURE ANTIQUITIES ALONGSIDE PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES, PART OF AN EFFORT TO DISPLAY ART AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PORTRAYED IN ROMAN PALACES OF ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSES.

BONHAMS TO SELL DOWNING STREET SIGN

A HISTORIC SIGN BEARING THE NAME OF BRITAIN'S MOST EXCLUSIVE POLITICAL ADDRESS IS EXPECTED TO FETCH SEVERAL THOUSAND POUNDS WHEN IT GOES UNDER THE HAMMER AT AN UPCOMING AUCTION. THE 19th CENTURY CAST IRON DOWNING STREET SIGN WAS PREVIEWED RECENTLY AT BONHAMS AUCTIONEERS IN CENTRAL LONDON, AHEAD OF ITS SALE NEXT WEDNESDAY. WITH THE NEW GENERAL ELECTION FAST APPROACHING IT IS PERHAPS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR POLITICAL PUNDITS OR EVEN POLITICIANS KEEN TO HANG ON TO THE REMNANTS OF POWER. THE SIGN, WHICH FEATURES RAISED BLACK LETTERING ON A WHITE BACKGROUND, IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR BETWEEN £4,000 AND £6,000 AT THE AUCTION HOUSE IN NEW BOND STREET. THE SLICE OF BRITISH POLITICAL HISTORY WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROAD SIGNS SOLD OFF IN THE 1980s BY THE WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL AND IS AMONG 702 LOTS WITHIN THE ANNUAL GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY SALE. ANDREW CURRIE, SPOKESMAN FOR BONHAMS SAID: 'IT'S VERY RARE FOR A SIGN LIKE THIS TO COME TO MARKET, THERE AREN'T MANY THINGS LIKE THIS AROUND. WE ARE EXPECTING INTEREST FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE KEEN ON COLLECTING POLITICAL MEMORABILIA. IT IS OF COURSE THE PERFECT TIME IT TO COME ON SALE WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION DUE TO BE HELD IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THIS SIGN IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE DOWNING STREET IS, SO WE ARE ANTICIPATING A LOT OF INTEREST.'

RALPH LAUREN OPENS NEW BOUTIQUES IN GSTAAD

ALREADY KNOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE SKI RESORTS IN ALL OF SWITZERLAND, GSTAAD IS THE NEW HOME OF THE FIRST OF TWO NEW OPULENT BOUTIQUES FROM RALPH LAUREN. THE MOUNTAIN LODGE STORE IS DECORATED WITH NAVAJO RUGS, ANTIQUE FURNITURE AND UNIQUE ARTWORKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, REFLECTING BOTH THE BRAND'S AMERICANA HERITAGE AND THE BOUTIQUE'S SWISS MOUNTAIN SURROUNDINGS. THE NEW STORE HIGHLIGHTS THE BRAND'S ICONIC COLLECTIONS; RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION, PURPLE LABEL, BLACK LABEL, BLUE LABEL, POLO AND RLX SKI, AS WELL AS THE THREE NEW RALPH LAUREN WATCH COLLECTIONS. THE SECOND GSTAAD RALPH LAUREN BOUTIQUE IS PLANNED FOR THE LOBBY OF THE HISTORIC GSTAAD PALACE HOTEL.

CRISTIANO RONALDO NEW ARMANI SPOKESMODEL

CRISTIANO RONALDO HAS SWAPPED HIS REAL MADRID UNIFORM FOR SOMETHING SKIMPIER IN THE NEW CAMPAIGN FOR EMPORIO ARMANI UNDERWEAR. THE REAL MADRID FOOTBALLER HAS REPLACED DAVID BECKHAM AS THE FACE, AND BODY, OF THE ITALIAN LUXURY FASHION BRAND. NEVER THE MODEST TYPE, RONALDO APPEARS TO HAVE EMBRACES HIS NEW MODELING CAREER WITH GUSTO, STRIKING A SERIES OF MOODY POSES AND SHOWING OFF A SIX-PACK WHICH WOULD MAKE ANYONE GREEN WITH ENVY. THE 24 YEAR OLD REPORTEDLY MAINTAINS HIS CHISELED ABS BY PERFORMING 3,000 SIT-UPS A DAY. GIORGIO ARMANI WAS FULL OF PRAISE FOR THE 'SEXY' SPORTSMAN. 'CRISTIANO IS A GREAT LOOKING YOUNG MAN WITH THE PERFECT PHYSIQUE OF AN ATHLETE. FOR ME, HE IS THE ESSENCE OF YOUTH, SPONTANEOUS, EXCITING AND A REAL MAVERICK. IT IS FOR HIS ENERGY THAT I HAVE CHOSEN CRISTIANO TO BECOME THE NEW FACE OF ARMANI JEANS AND EMPORIO ARMANI UNDERWEAR, FOR HIS YOUTHFUL, EXCITING, AND, YES, SEXY ATTITUDE'. IN THE AD FOR ARMANI JEANS, ALSO IN MOODY BLACK AND WHITE, RONALDO CAN BARELY KEEP THE JEANS ON. HE SAID: 'GIORGIO ARMANI IS A LEGEND IN THE FASHION WORLD AND I HAVE LONG BEEN A FAN OF HIS WORK. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE PICTURES WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER, THEY ARE CERTAINLY STRIKING AND ARE FULL OF ATTITUDE AND A SPIRIT I CAN RELATE TO.'

WEIGHT WATCHERS CLINIC FLOOR COLLAPSES UNDER DIETERS

THE FLOOR OF A WEIGHT WATCHERS CLINIC IN SWEDEN COLLAPSED BENEATH A GROUP OF 20 MEMBERS OF THE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM WHO WERE GATHERED FOR A MEETING. AS THE DIETERS QUEUED TO SEE HOW MANY POUNDS THEY HAD SHED, THE FLOOR BENEATH THEM IN THE CLINIC IN VAXJO, IN SOUTH-CENTRAL SWEDEN, BEGAN TO RUMBLE, ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE LOCAL, SWEDEN'S ENGLISH-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER. 'WE SUDDENLY HEARD A HUGE THUD; WE ALMOST THOUGHT IT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE AND EVERYTHING FLEW UP IN THE AIR. THE FLOOR COLLAPSED IN ONE CORNER OF THE ROOM AND ALONG THE WALLS', ONE WEIGHT WATCHERS PARTICIPATOR TOLD THE SMALANDPOSTEN NEWSPAPER. SOON, THE FAULT LINES SPREAD AROUND THE ROOM, AND OTHER SECTIONS OF THE FLOOR GAE WAY. LUCKILY, ALL OF THE DIETERS ESCAPED UNINJURED AND MANAGED TO MOVE THE SCALES TO THE CORRIDOR, WHICH WAS NOT DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT, AND WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR WEEKLY WEIGH IN. THE CAUSE OF THE FLOOR'S COLLAPSE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION

ARTIST CREATES ARTWORK FROM 153 SLICES OF BURNT TOAST

AN ARTIST HAS CREATED A GIANT REPLICA OF THE CRUCIFIXION USING 153 SLICES OF BURNT TOAST. ADAM SHELDON DESIGNED THE UNIQUE PIECE OF ART SIX MONTHS AGO AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER WHO WORSHIPS AT THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST PETER, GREAT LIMBER, LINCOLNSHIRE. USING HIS TOASTER, SHELDON BURNED EVERY PIECE OF BREAD BEFORE DRYING EACH PIECE OUT AND FLATTENING THEM SO THEY WERE READY TO BE POSITIONED IN A GIANT FRAME. HE THEN SPENT HOURS SCRAPING THE TOAST WITH A KNIFE TO CREATE THE LIGHTER PARTS OF THE IMAGE, SUCH AS CHRIST'S HALO, AND A BLOW TORCH TO CREATE THE DARKER PATCHES. BEFORE EMBARKING ON THE MAMMOTH PROJECT, SHELDON ALSO MADE A MUCH SMALLER DEPICTION OF THE LAST SUPPER ON THREE PIECES OF TOAST TO PERFECT HIS SCRAPING TECHNIQUES. HIS STUNNING CRUCIFIXION PICTURE WAS MOUNTED ON THE WALL OF ST PETER'S KNAVE ON 30.DECEMBER. REVEREND FELICITY COUCH SAID THE 'UTTERLY UNIQUE' IMAGE WOULD STAY UP FOR TWO WEEKS AND ADDED MANY PARISHIONERS HAD NOT INITIALLY REALIZED IT WAS MADE FROM TOAST. SHE SAID: 'WE ASKED ADAM TO CREATE A PIECE OF ARTWORK FOR THE CHURCH AND THIS INCREDIBLE PICTURE MADE FROM TOAST IS WHAT HE GAVE US. IT'S NOT WHAT WE ANTICIPATED BUT IT IS AMAZING AND ALTHOUGH AT FIRST WE WERE STUNNED TO FIND IT WAS MADE FROM BREAD EVERYONE IS NOW INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED.' THE PARISH OF ST PETER'S WAS ORIGINALLY HOME TO A NORMAN PRIORY BUILT BEFORE 1180 UNDER THE ABBEY OF L'AULNAY IN NORMANDY. THE CHURCH HAS 350 SEATS AND THE ANGLICAN PARISH REGISTER DATES FROM 1562, AND WAS RESTORED IN 1875.

OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA, TO PRESENT MATISSE POETRY ILLUSTRATIONS

SIMPLE LINE DRAWINGS AREN'T WHAT MOST ART LOVERS THINK OF WHEN PEOPLE MENTION HENRI MATISSE, WHO'S BETTER KNOWN FOR HIS VIVID, COLOURFUL PAINTINGS. THE ARTIST PRODUCED DOZENS OF DRAWINGS AND ETCHINGS AS ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE WORK OF FRENCH POETS STEPHANE MALLARME AND PIERRE RONSARD. MATISSE'S DRAWINGS APPEARED ALONGSIDE THE POEMS IN HIS 'FLORILEGE DES AMOURS DE RONSARD' AND 'POESIES' COLLECTIONS, PUBLISHED IN THE 1930s AND '40s. 63 OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM OF ART AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY IN ATLANTA FROM 17.JANUARY THROUGH 9.MAY.2010. 'THERE IS A SENSUAL, LYRICAL LINE HE CREATES', SAID MUSEUM DIRECTOR LLOYD NICK. 'I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF AFTER SEEING THE EXHIBIT, PEOPLE FEEL LIKE DANCING.' THE PIECES INCLUDE COUPLES WRAPPED IN EACH OTHER'S ARM, WOMEN LOUNGING ON BEDS AND LUSH FLOWERS. THEY ALSO INCLUDE FAMILIAR IMAGES, SUCH AS A SKETCH OF THE FROLICKING FIGURES FROM HIS VIBRANT PAINTING, 'THE DANCE'. THE WORKS IN THE EXHIBIT ARE PART OF THE ESTATE OF FRENCH PUBLISHER ALBERT SKIRA, WHO WORKED CLOSELY WITH MATISSE ON BOTH WORKS. IT WILL APPEAR AGAIN IN 2011 WHEN IT GOES TO OS ANGELES, SAID CURATOR REILLY RHODES.

MONET PAINTING STOLEN 10 YEARS AGO RECOVERED IN POLAND

A MONET PAINTING THAT WAS CUT FROM ITS FRAME 10 YEARS AGO AT A MUSEUM IN WESTERN POLAND AND REPLACED WITH A COPY PAINTED ON CARDBOARD HAS BEEN RECOVERED, POLICE SAID WEDNESDAY. OFFICERS ALSO ARRESTED A SUSPECT WHO HAD THE FRENCH IMPRESSIONIST'S 'BEACH IN POURVILLE' IN HIS POSSESSION AND CONFESSED TO STEALING IT. POZNAN POLICE SPOKESMAN ROMUALD PIECUCH SAID THAT OFFICIALS DETAINED THE 41 YEAR OLD MAN IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF OLKUSZ TUESDAY. FINGERPRINTS AND OTHER TRACES LEFT AT THE SITE OF THE THEFT HELPED IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT, PIECUCH SAID. PIECUCH SAID THE PAINTING WAS BROUGHT TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN POZNAN, WHERE EXPERTS WERE TO VERIFY ITS AUTHENTICITY. 'WE HAVE GREAT HOPE THAT IT IS OUR STOLEN PAINTING', MUSEUM SPOKESMAN ALEKSANDRA SOBOCINSKA SAID. THE PAINTING, WHICH SHOWS THE SEA LAPPING AGAINST A BEACH IN PASTEL BLUES AND GREENS, WAS VALUED AT $1 MILLION AT THE TIME OF ITS THEFT. SOBOCINSKA SAID SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF ITS CURRENT VALUE, BUT SAID THAT 'TO US IT WAS A PRICELESS MASTERPIECE.'

CLARENCE HOUSE RELEASES LIST OF GIFTS GIVEN TO ROYAL COUPLE DURING THEIR TRAVELS

TWO MATCHING BLACKBERRY HANDSETS, A CHOCOLATE FONDUE KIT AND A LEG OF PROSCIUTTO WERE JUST SOME OF THE GIFTS GIVEN TO THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL ON THEIR OVERSEAS TOURS LAST YEAR, IT WAS REVEALED RECENTLY. CHARLES AND CAMILLA ALSO RECEIVED PAPAL ROSARIES FROM POPE BENEDICT XVI AFTER PAYING THEIR RESPECTS AT THE VATICAN. CLARENCE HOUSE PUBLISHED THE LIST OF PRESENTS RECEIVED BY THE HEIR TO THE THRONE AND HIS WIFE ON THEIR 2009 FOREIGN TRAVELS ON ITS WEBSITE. THE COUPLE VISITED CHILE, BRAZIL AND ECUADOR IN MARCH, ITALY AND GERMANY IN APRIL AND CANADA IN NOVEMBER. THEY RECEIVED THEIR MATCHING BLACKBERRY STORM 9500s, ALL IN ONE 3G SMARTPHONES, FROM THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO DALTON MCGUINTY. RESEARCH IN MOTION (RIM), THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BLACKBERRY, WAS FOUNDED IN THE EAST-CENTRAL CANADIAN PROVINCE. BUT CLARENCE HOUSE DECLINED TO SAY WHETHER THE PRINCE AND THE DUCHESS USED THEIR NEW PHONES. 'WE CAN'T REALLY SAY WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE GIFTS', A CLARENCE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON SAID. CLARENCE HOUSE DID CONFIRM THAT THE LEG OF DRY CURED HAM, WHICH THE PRINCE WAS GIVEN IN ITALY, WAS TAKEN TO THE KITCHENS OF CHARLES'S COUNTRYSIDE HOME IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE. OFFICIAL GIFTS CAN BE WORN AND USED, BUT ARE NOT CONSIDERED THE ROYALS' PERSONAL PROPERTY. THEY CANNOT BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED AND EVENTUALLY BECOME PART OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION, WHICH IS HELD IN TRUST BY THE QUEEN FOR HER SUCCESSORS AND THE NATION. THE ANNUAL LIST DOES NOT CONTAIN ESTIMATED PRICES FOR THE GIFTS. PERISHABLE GIFTS CAN BE USED OR EATEN BY THE ROYALS OR GIVEN TO CHARITY, STAFF OR OTHERS. BUT IF THE PERISHABLE GIFT IS WORTH MORE THAN £150 AND NOT USED BY THE ROYALS IT MUST BE GIVEN TO CHARITY.

PEE-WEE HERMAN MAKING A COMEBACK

NEARLY TWO DECADES AFTER THE INDECENT EXPOSURE ARREST THAT DERAILED HIS CAREER AS A POPULAR CHILDREN'S TELEVISION STAR, PAUL REUBENS, AKA PEE-WEE HERMAN, HAS DECIDED TO RESURRECT THE ROLE FOR A NEW STAGE SHOW AT CLUB NOKIA IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES THAT DEBUTS THIS WEEK. FANS OF THE SHOW, TAKE HEART, MOST OF YOUR OLD FRIENDS WILL BE BACK. LYNNE MARIE STEWART WILL ONCE AGAIN PLAY MISS YNONNE, AND JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER CHARACTER WILL RETURN, ALBEIT WITH DIFFERENT ACTORS PLAYING THE ROLES. MAILMAN MIKE, BEAR, AND THE KING OF CARTOONS WILL BE ON HAND TO DELIGHT AGAIN. CAPTAIN CARL, THE SALTY, UNSHAVEN SEA CAPTAIN PLAYED BY COMEDIAN PHIL HARTMAN, WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW PRODUCTION. 'I DIDN'T WANT TO BE LOOKING AT SOMEONE ELSE PLAYING PHIL'S PART', REUBENS SAID. HARTMAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY HIS WIFE, BRYNN, IN 1998.

SOTHEBY'S TO OFFER PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN CALLED 'LA BELLE FERRONNIERE'

PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN CALLED 'LA BELLE FERRONNIERE', A 21 BY 17 INCH PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG LADY IN THREE-QUARTER PROFILE, IS SET TO BE AUCTIONED AT SOTHEBY'S, NEW YORK, ON 28.JANUARY AND CARRIES WITH IT A RESPECTABLE ESTIMATE OF $300-500,000. HOWEVER, AS CAROL VOGEL REPORTS IN THE TIMES, IT ONCE COULD HAVE FETCHED MUCH, MUCH MORE. SCHOLARS ONCE ATTRIBUTED THE WORK TO ITALIAN MASTER LEONARDO DA VINCI, THOUGH SCHOLARSHIP OVER THE PAST CENTURY HAS CONTESTED THAT OPINION. THE SOTHEBY'S CATALOGUE LISTS THE WORK AS HAVING BEEN COMPLETED BY A 'FOLLOWER OF LEONARDO DA VINCI' BEFORE 1750, A CONCLUSION BASED ON THE PRESENCE OF LEAD-TIN YELLOW IN THE PAINTING, WHICH WENT UNUSED FROM THE 18th THROUGH THE MID-20th CENTURY. THE PAINTING'S ESTIMATE, WHICH IS RATHER HIGH FOR WHAT IT IS, IN EFFECT, A COPY OF A WORK IN THE PERMANENT COLLECTION OF THE LOUVRE, CAN IN PART BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS NOTORIOUS HISTORY. IT STANDS AT THE CENTER OF A DISPUTE THAT BEGAN IN 1921 BETWEEN ITS OWNERS HARRY AND ANDREE HAHN AND OLD MASTER DEALER JOSEPH DUVEEN, WHO DECLARED THE WORK A FAKE (WITHOUT HAVING SEEN IT), LAUNCHING A LEGAL BATTLE THAT WOULD SPAN THE DECADE. DUVEEN FINALLY SETTLED OUT OF COURT, PAYING $60,000 TO THE OWNERS FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM HIS COMMENTS.

FRITZ LOHMAN, GAY ART PATRON, DIES

PIONEERING GAY ART PATRON FRITZ LOHMAN, WHO TOGETHER WITH HIS LIFE PARTNER OF 48 YEARS, CHARLES LESLIE, FOUNDERS OF THE LESLIE/LOHMAN GAY ART FOUNDATION IN NEW YORK CITY, PASSED AWAY 31.DECEMBER.2009. HE WAS 89 YEARS OLD. LESLIE/LOHMAN, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1990, LOCATED IN SOHO, IS ONE OF THE OLDEST GROUPS DEDICATED TO THE COLLECTION, EXHIBITION, PRESERVATION AND AN ARCHIVE OF MATERIAL AND INFORMATION ABOUT GAY AND LESBIAN ARTISTS AND ART. ARTISTS INCLUDED IN ITS COLLECTIONS INCLUDE ANDY WARHOL, ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE AND JEAN COCTEAU
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LESLIE/LOHMAN FOUNDATION VISIT www.leslielohman.org

MUSEUMS SHOW AN INCREASE IN VISITORS DURING 2009

THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS REPORTED 2009 ATTENDANCE OF 30 MILLION, UP FROM 25 MILLION THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS MARKS THE FIRST TIME ATTENDANCE HAS RISEN TO 30 MILLION SINCE 2001. ADMISSION TO ALL SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS IN WASHINGTON DC IS FREE. THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY WAS THE MOST VISITED MUSEUM AT THE SMITHSONIAN WITH 7.4 MILLION VISITORS; ATTENDANCE AT THE MUSEUM WAS UP 450,000 FROM 2008. THE NATION AL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM WAS THE SECOND MOST VISITED SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM ON THE MALL WITH 7 MILLION VISITS AND AN ADDITIONAL 1.2 MILLION VISITORS AT ITS HAZY CENTER NEAR DULLES AIRPORT. ATTENDANCE FIGURES WERE INFLUENCED BY THE RELEASE OF 'NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN', WHICH OPENED IN THEATERS IN MAY. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, FAMILIES WHO HAD SEEN THE MOVIE ASKED VISITOR SERVICES' STAFF IN THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM WHERE THE REAL THINGS WERE IN THE MUSEUM. ATTENDANCE FIGURES AT THE MUSEUMS ARE COLLECTED BY SMITHSONIAN SECURITY GUARDS, WHO USE HAND CLICKERS TO RECORD EACH PERSON COMING IN A PUBLIC ENTRANCE. A PERSON WHO VISITS SEVERAL DIFFERENT SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS WILL BE COUNTED EACH TIME. THAT IS WHY THE INSTITUTION USES THE TERM 'VISITS', RATHER THAN 'VISITORS' TO DESCRIBE THE OVERALL NUMBER.

THE LOUVRE MUSEUM. PARIS, SAYS IT HAD 8.5 MILLION VISITORS LAST YEAR, THE SAME NUMBER IT HAD IN THE RECORD-BREAKING 2008. TEMPORARY EXHIBITS, INCLUDING A SHOW ABOUT THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS AND ANOTHER ON VENETIAN RENAISSANCE MASTER TITIAN, TINTORETTO AND VERONESE, HELPED ATTRACT ART LOVERS. ON TOP OF THE 8.5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO TOURED THE PARIS MUSEUM, ANOTHER 3.5 MILLION VISITED TRAVELING SHOWS OF LOUVRE WORKS IN FRANCE AND ABROAD. ONE TRAVELING EXHIBIT ON THE 18th CENTURY EUROPEAN PAINTING DREW IN 1.5 MILLION VISITORS IN TOKYO AND KYOTO, JAPAN. THE LOUVRE RELEASED IT ANNUAL FIGURES ON VISITORS MONDAY.

PRINCE WILLIAM VISITS HOSPICE FOR TERMINALLY ILL

PRINCE WILLIAM ECHOED DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, WHEN HE DROPPED IN ON A HOSPICE FRO TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS VISITED BY HIS MOTHER 18 YEARS AGO. THE PRINCE SPENT MORE THAN AN HOUR TALKING TO PATIENTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AT ST. BARNABAS HOSPICE IN LINCOLN. THE 27 YEAR OLD ROYAL JOKED WITH PATIENTS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE A TERMINAL ILLNESS SUCH AS CANCER AND MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE, DURING AN ART CLASS AT THE CENTER. IN 1992, HIS MOTHER WAS INVITED TO VISIT ST BARNABAS BY HIS AUNT AND THE PRINCESS'S ELDER SISTER, LADY SARAH MCCORQUODALE, WHO IS CURRENTLY THE HIGH SHERIFF OF LINCOLNSHIRE. DESPITE THE TREACHEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PRINCE SPENT THREE HOURS ON THE ROAD FROM GLOUSTERSHIRE TO FULFILL THE ROYAL VISIT. DURING THE VISIT THE PRINCE SPOKE TO 59 YEAR OLD PATIENT JANE WOOD. AFTER THEIR MEETING, SHE SAID: 'IT WAS VERY GOOD. HE SAID I WAS ARTISTIC BUT I SAID THAT I WASN'T. HE SEEMED VERY INTERESTED IN OUR ART. HE'S JUST AN ORDINARY GUY, ISN'T HE?' HE ALSO SPOKE TO KELLY MCKELVY, 10, AND HER 14 YEAR OLD BROTHER BRADLEY. THE YOUNGSTERS, WHOSE MOTHER IS BEING SUPPORTED IN THE HOSPICE, THEN PRESENTED THE PRINCE WITH A TEDDY BEAR CALLED BARNABAS. ST BARNABAS SUPPORTS BETWEEN 12 AND 15 PATIENTS EACH DAY. AS WELL AS PROVIDING A RANGE OF COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES SUCH AS REIKI, AND INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE, IT ALSO HAS COUNSELORS AND OFFERS SUPPORT TO THE RELATIVES OF THOSE WITH TERMINAL ILLNESSES. THERE ARE SIX ST BARNABAS HOSPICES ACROSS LINCOLNSHIRE, BETWEEN THEM HELPING 1,800 PATIENTS A YEAR. IN 1992, THE PRINCESS VISITED ITS IN-PATIENT CENTER DURING A VISIT TO LINCOLN WITH THE PRINCE OF WALES TO OPEN THE CITY'S WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTER.

VAN GOGH'S STARRY NIGHT NAMED MOST POPULAR PAINTING BY OVERSTOCKART.COM

OVERSTOCKART.COM, THE LEADER IN HANDMADE OIL PAINTING ART REPRODUCTIONS, HAS OFFICIALLY RELEASED ITS TOP 10 LIST OF THE MOST POPULAR OIL PAINTINGS FROM THE PAST DECADE. TOPPING THE LIST IS VINCENT VAN GOGH'S IRREFUTABLE MAGNUM OPUS, 'STARRY NIGHT'. 'WE RELEASED AN ANNUAL TOP 10 AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO LOOK BACK OVER THE PAST DECADE TO DETERMINE THE TRENDIEST AND MOST SOUGHT AFTER HAND PAINTED OIL PAINTING REPRODUCTIONS', SAID DAVID SASSON, CEO OF OVERSTOCKART.COM. 'NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE NOTORIOUSLY ECCENTRIC ARTIST, VAN GOGH, LEADS THE LIST WITH HIS MASTERPIECES 'STARRY NIGHT' AND 'CAFE TERRACE AT NIGHT'. ACCORDING TO OVERSTOCKART.COM'S STATISTICS, VAN GOGH'S TOTAL SALES NUMBERS FAR EXCEEDED THOSE OF ANY OTHER OF THE GREAT MASTERS.

THE TOP 10 OIL PAINTINGS SOLD ON LINE IN THE LAST DECADE ACCORDING TO OVERSTOCKART.COM ARE:
1. 'STARRY NIGHT' - VINCENT VAN GOGH
2. 'CAFE TERRACE AT NIGHT - VINCENT VAN GOGH
3. 'THE KISS' - GUSTAV KLIMT
4. 'POPPY FIELD AT ARGENTEUIL' - CLAUDE MONET
5. THE MONA LISA' - DA VINCI
6. 'LE REVE' (THE DREAM) - PABLO PICASSO
7. 'LUNCHEON OF THE BOATING PARTY' - PIERRE AUGUST RENOIR
8. 'THE SCREAM' - EDVARD MUNCH
9. 'RED CANNAS' - GEORGIA O'KEEFE
10. 'PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY' - SALVADOR DALI

IN THE PAST DECADE OVERSTOCKART.COM SOLD MORE THAN A MILLION OIL PAINTINGS. THEY ARE ONE OF THE WEB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL DISTRIBUTORS OF WALL DECOR ITEMS WITH OVER 10,000 DAILY VISITORS AND 100,000 LOYAL CUSTOMERS. 'AS THE MODERN ART MOVEMENT WAS CONQUERING THE AUCTION FLOORS GETTING RECORD BREAKING NUMBERS IN SOTHEBY'S AND CHRISTIE'S, WE SLOWLY BECAME THE DESTINATION FOR ART LOVERS WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THE HIGH PRICE TAGS OF GALLERIES, BUT WANTED TO ENJOY THE HAND PAINTED ART OF THE GREAT MASTERS IN THEIR HOMES', EXPLAINED SASSON. ONE OF THE INTERESTING POINTS THAT THE TOP 10 OIL PAINTINGS OF THE DECADE PRESENTS IS THAT THE MODERN ARTISTS FROM THE TURN OF TE CENTURY SUCH AS VAN GOGH, MONET AND KLIMT ARE STILL THE MOST DESIRABLE ARTISTS IN THE WORLD. 'OUR NUMBERS INDICATE THAT AS THE YEARS TURN AND OUR WORLD EVOLVES SOME THINGS REMAIN CONSISTENT', SAID SASSON. 'PEOPLE ARE STILL CAPTIVATED BY THE ELEGANCE AND BEAUTY THAT THE CLASSIC ARTISTS BRING TO THEIR HOME. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHEN, IF EVER, THIS TREND BEGINS TO FADE.'

LALIQUE FACET COLLECTION

THE NEW LALIQUE FACET COLLECTION OF GLASSWARE TAKES ITS INSPIRATION FROM THE LEGENDARY YQUEM GLASSES, FIRST RELEASED IN 1934 WHICH WERE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR CHATEAU D'YQUEM'S SAUTERNE WINE. THE YQUEM GLASSES WERE DESIGNED BY RENE LALIQUE AND WERE CONSIDERED REVOLUTIONARY FOR THEIR TIME ON TERMS OF THEIR USE OF THE ART DECO DESIGN. THE GLASSES ARE MADE OF LALIQUE'S SIGNATURE LEAD CRYSTAL AND ARE HAND MADE IN LALIQUE'S WORKSHOPS AND ARE AVAILABLE AS TUMBLERS, WATER GLASSES, CHAMPAGNE FLUTES AND AS A CARAFE.

NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM PRESENTS THE SUBJECT IS WOMEN: IMPRESSIONISM AND POST-IMPRESSIONISM

'THE SUBJECT IS WOMEN: IMPRESSIONISM AND POST-IMPRESSIONISM' OFFERS A LAVISH VIEWING OF WORKS BY WOMEN AND WORKS DEPICTING WOMEN. THE STUNNING AND SUMPTUOUS EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATES HOW ARTISTS OF THE MOVEMENTS AND ERAS DEPICT WOMEN, AND HOW MANY WOMEN ARTISTS DEPICT THEMSELVES. THE WORKS OF THE SHOW, MANY OF THEM VIBRANT OILS, INCLUDE RENOWNED MASTERS SUCH AS CASSATT, DEGAS, PISSARRO, RENOIR AS WELL AS OTHERS. DEGAS IS REPRESENTED BY 'DANSEUSE' (BUSTE); 'LA MARCHE DES GISORS' BY PISSARRO; 'JEUNES FILLES AUX LILAS' AND 'FEME NUE AUX COUSSINS VERTS' BY RENOIR AND 'LE MASQUE JAPONAIS' BY ALFRED STEVENS. WORKS BY WOMEN IMPRESSIONISTS AND POST IMPRESSIONISTS WILL ALSO INCLUDE MARY CASSATT'S 'LYONTINE IN A PINK FLUFFY HAT'. THE 57 STUNNING WORKS FOR THE SUBJECT IS WOMEN: IMPRESSIONISM AND POST-IMPRESSIONISM' ARE DRAWN FROM REMARKABLE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS. THE EXHIBITION OPENS 10.JANUARY AND RUNS THROUGH 28.FEBRUARY AT THE NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM, ROSLYN HARBOR, NEW YORK.

FULLER CRAFT MUSEUM PRESENTS NANCY CROW: CROSSROADS - NEW AND RECENT QUILTS

THE FULLER CRAFT MUSEUM, BROCKTON, MA, WILL BE PRESENTING 'NANCY CROW: CROSSROADS - NEW AND RECENT QUILTS', FROM 30.JANUARY THROUGH TO 19.APRIL. THE DAZZLING ART QUILTS OF NANCY CROW, LARGELY CONSIDERED THE FOUNDER OF THE CONTEMPORARY ART QUILTING MOVEMENT, HAVE TRANSFORMED A TRADITION-BOUND MEDIUM INTO ONE OF BOLD IMPROVISATION, COMPOSITION AND TECHNICAL INNOVATION. HER MASTERFUL FABRIC CUTTING AND PIECING ARE DONE WITHOUT CONTROLLED GRIDS AND PATTERNS, USING A MORE IMPROVISATIONAL APPROACH. THE EXHIBITION, IN FULLER CRAFT'S MERTON TARLOW AND LAMPOS GALLERIES, PRESENTS HER ASYMMETRICAL DESIGNS USING ELEGANT HAND-DYED FABRICS OF HIGHLY SATURATED COLOUR. MORE THAN 30 OF CROW'S ART QUILTS WILL BE DISPLAYED.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.fullercraft.org/

PRINCE HARRY HAS PAINFUL ENCOUNTER WITH POLE AFTER LEAVING NIGHTCLUB

PRINCE HARRY RECENTLY HAD A PAINFUL ENCOUNTER WITH A POLE AS HE LEFT HIS FAVORITE NIGHTCLUB. THERE'S NO DOUBT THE YOUNG PRINCE IS PROTECTED BY AN ELITE TEAM OF SECURITY PERSONNEL, BUT NOTHING COULD PREVENT HIM FROM HIS OWN STUPIDITY. THE FUN LOVING ROYAL HAD A SLIGHT MISHAP AS HE LEFT RAFFLES IN CHELSEA THIS WEEKEND. HARRY LEFT THE CLUB IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND RISKED DAMAGING THE 'CROWN JEWELS' AS HE WALKED BLINDLY INTO A METAL POLE WHILE HIS SECURITY TEAM ESCORTED HIM TO HIS WAITING CAR. HARRY'S NIGHT OUT COULD WELL BE ONE OF HIS LAST, AFTER RECEIVING A NEW PROMOTION IN THE ARMY. CLOSE FRIENDS TO THE PRINCE SAY HIS ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES COULD PROMPT THE SOMETIMES WAYWARD ROYAL TO CURB HIS HARD PARTYING LIFESTYLE AND CONSIDER SETTLING DOWN WITH HIS ON/OFF GIRLFRIEND OF FIVE YEARS. A SOURCE SAID: 'HARRY WILL BE MADE A CAPTAIN AROUND MAY, AND IT WILL BE A REAL TURNING POINT FOR HIM.' THE YOUNG ROYAL'S PROMOTION FROM LIEUTENANT IS IN LINE WITH THE LENGTH OF SERVICE RATHER THAN ON MERIT, ARMY SOURCES HAVE SAID. THE PRINCE ENTERED SANDHURST IN MAY 2005 AND NORMALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO BECOME CAPTAIN AFTER SIX YEARS, 2011. BUT THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN MEANS HIS PROMOTION WILL COME SLIGHTLY EARLY, TO FILL GAPS LEFT BY MEN IN HIS REGIMENT, THE BLUES AND ROYALS, WHO HAVE DEPLOYED TO THE FRONT LINE. HARRY IS LIKELY TO BECOME AN ACTING CAPTAIN IN MAY BEFORE BEING 'MADE UP' TO FULL CAPTAIN.

BLANCPAIN SPECIALITES TOURBILLON DIAMANTS

LUXURY WATCHMAKER BLANCPAIN RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE NEWEST SPECIALITES TOURBILLON DIAMANTS, A 40mm MEN'S MODEL WITH MORE THAN 20 CARATS OF SPARKLING DIAMONDS. DIAMONDS ARE CLEARLY THE THEME OF THIS OVER THE TOP LUXURY TIMEPIECE, THEME THAT BLANCPAIN TAKES WITH THE UTMOST SERIOUSNESS. THE 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD THREE-PIECE CASE IS SET WITH OVER 571 BRILLIANT CUT STONES TOTALING 14.15 CARATS, AND THE DIAL ADDS ANOTHER 164 DIAMONDS AND 5.17 CARATS. THE CLASP, CROWN AND HANDS ADD THE REMAINING CARAT. "IMAGINE THE INTENSE HOURS REQUIRED SIMPLY TO SELECT THE PROPER STONES AND THEN CUT THEM TO SIZE TO FIT THE STUNNING WATCH", A SPOKESPERSON FOR BLANCPAIN SAID IN A RECENT INTERVIEW. MANY OF THEM, ESPECIALLY ON THE DIAL, ARE MARGINALLY TAPERED FOR AN IMPRESSIVE SUNBURST ARRAY", HE ADDED. THE AUTOMATIC CALIBER 25A TOURBILLON MOVEMENT IS COMPOSED OF 238 COMPONENTS WITH 29 JEWELS WITH A 168-HOUR POWER RESERVE. THE ONE OF A KIND BLANCPAIN SPECIALITES TOURBILLON DIAMANTS IS PRICED AT $1,342,700

CALIFORNIA ANTIQUES DEALER CHARGED WITH SELLING FAKE PICASSO

A WEST HOLLYWOOD ANTIQUES DEALER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SELLING A PHONY PICASSO FOR AN ESTIMATED $2 MILLION. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SAID FRIDAY THAT THE 69 YEAR OLD TATIANA KHAN WAS CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD AND OTHER CRIMES. SHE'S FREE PENDING ARRAIGNMENT BUT COULD FACE 45 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED. PROSECUTORS CONTEND KHAN PAID AN ARTIST $1,000 IN 2006 TO DUPLICATE A PABLO PICASSO PASTEL CALLED 'THE WOMAN IN THE BLUE HAT' AND SOLD THE FORGERY. THE FBI STEPPED IN LAST YEAR AFTER THE BUYER HAD THE WORK EXAMINED AND LEARNED IT WAS A FAKE. ON FRIDAY, FBI AGENTS SEIZED A GENUINE WILLEM DE KOONING FROM KHAN. AUTHORITIES CLAIM SHE BOUGHT IT FOR $720,000 USING PROCEEDS FROM THE PICASSO SALE.