NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART ACQUIRES RARE ARCIMBOLDO PAINTING

THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON DC, HAS ACQUIRED THE FOUR SEASONS IN ONE HEAD, A RARE AND IMPORTANT MASTERPIECE BY GIUSEPPE ARCIMBOLDO, ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXHIBITION 'ARCIMBOLDO, 1526-1593: NATURE AND FANTASY', ON VIEW IN THE EAST BUILDING, 19.SEPTEMBER THROUGH 9.JANUARY. THE ARTIST'S DELIGHTFULLY BIZARRE HEADS HAVE BEEN FREQUENTLY COPIED AND IMITATED. THE FOUR SEASONS IN ONE HEAD IS ONE OF FEWER THAN 20 EXAMPLES BY THE MASTER IN EXISTENCE. THE PURCHASE, WHICH WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GALLERY'S PAUL MELLON FUND, MAKES THIS WORK THE ONLY UNDISPUTED PAINTING BY ARCIMBOLDO IN A PUBLIC COLLECTION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE PAINTING WAS PRESENTED PUBLICLY FOR TEH FIRST TIME IN THE 2007-08 ARCIMBOLDO RETROSPECTIVE HELD AT THE LOUVRE AND THE KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM, VIENNA. ARCIMBOLDO WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS COMPOSITE HEADS IN HIS OWN TIME AS COURT PAINTER TO THE HABSBURG EMPERORS MAXIMILIAN II AND RUDOLPH II IN VIENNA AND PRAGUE. LATER, AFTER HE WAS REDISCOVERED IN THE 1930s, THE HEADS INSPIRED THE SURREALISTS. PAINTED SINGLY OR IN A SERIES, THEY COMBINE PLANTS, ANIMALS AND OTHER OBJECTS APPROPRIATE TO THE THEMES ARCIMBOLDO TREATED, SUCH AS THE FOUR SEASONS AND THE FOUR ELEMENTS (EARTH, FIRE, AIR AND WATER). ARCIMBOLDO MADE THE FOUR SEASONS IN ONE HEAD FOR HIS FRIEND, THE WRITER GREGORIO COMPANINI, WHO FIRST DESCRIBES IT. THE PAINTING IS PRACTICALLY ALONE AMONG THE COMPOSITE HEADS IN THAT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARTIST'S HABSBURG PATRONS AND, ACCORDINGLY, IT WAS NOT IN PRAGUE WHEN THE CITY WAS SACKED BY SWEDISH TROOPS IN 1648. INSTEAD, THE PAINTING IS MENTIONED IN THE 1656 INVENTORY OF THE FAMOUS CORTONI COLLECTION IN VERONA. AFTER THAT, THE PAINTING DISAPPEARED UNTIL THE 21st CENTURY WHEN IT RESURFACED IN AN ENGLISH COLLECTION. THE AGENT FOR SALE OF THE PAINTING IS PANDORA OLD MASTER, INC.

CHRISTIE'S SELLS SZE YUAN TANG BRONZE TO ONLINE BIDDER FOR $3.3 MILLION

IN A SIGN THAT FINE ART COLLECTORS ARE GROWING EVER MORE COMFORTABLE WITH BIDDING ONLINE, CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REPORTS THAT THE TOP LOT IN THURSDAY'S SALE OF THE SZE YUAN TANG ARCHAIC BRONZES FROM THE ANTHONY HARDY COLLECTION SOLD FOR $3.3 MILLION TO AN ONLINE BIDDER, SETTING A NEW HOUSE RECORD FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEM SOLD ONLINE. THE SALE PRICE SMASHED THE PREVIOUS CHRISTIE'S ONLINE SALE OF $1.27 MILLION, SET IN APRIL 2008 FOR A STRADAVARI VIOLIN PURCHASED ONLINE USING CHRISTIE'S LIVE™, THE COMPANY'S PROPRIETARY ONLINE BIDDING PLATFORM. THE NEW RECORD OF $3.3 MILLION WAS SET BY AN AMERICAN COLLECTOR WHO COMPETED AGAINST BIDDERS IN THE SALEROOM AND ON THE PHONE TO WIN THE RARE CHINESE BRONZE WINE VESSEL FANGYI, FROM THE LAT SHANG DYNASTY. WIDELY PUBLISHED AND EXTENSIVELY EXHIBITED IN MUSEUMS WORLDWIDE, THE STRIKING, HEAVILY DECORATED CONTAINER AND COVER IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A PRIZED RITUAL VESSEL AT THE TIME OF ITS CREATION IN 12th-11th CENTURY BC. INSCRIPTIONS ON BOTH THE VESSEL AND COVER RECORD THE CLAN NAMES OF THE ARTISANS WHO MADE THE VESSEL AS WELL AS THE ANCESTORS TO WHOM THE VESSEL IS DEDICATED.

MOET & CHANDON GOLDEN JEROBOAM

THE LUXURY VINTNER MOET & CHANDON RECENTLY INTRODUCED ITS LATEST LIMITED EDITION CREATION FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON. THE MOET & CHANDON GOLDEN JEROBOAM IS EXCLUSIVELY DRESSED IN STUNNING GOLD LEAF BY ASTHUS BERTRAND, WITH ONLY 1743 (THE YEAR IT WAS FOUNDED) BOTTLES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE. THE NEW HOLIDAY DRESSED CHAMPAGNE WILL BE LAUNCHED IN EARLY OCTOBER WITH AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF $1045.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS AT THE HEART OF BRITISH SOCIETY, THE QUEEN SAID AS SHE WELCOMED POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BRITAIN. MEETING THE POPE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE, HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN SCOTLAND, SHE PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO WORLD DEVELOPMENT. THE QUEEN ALSO PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HELPING THE POOR, EDUCATING THE YOUNG AND BRINGING ABOUT PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HER COMMENTS ECHOED THOSE MADE BY BARONESS WARSI, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN, WHO SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT 'FAITH IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND KICKING' IN BRITAIN. THE PAPAL PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON THURSDAY MORNING AND IN A BREAK WITH TRADITION THE PONTIFF WAS GREETED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE ENTOURAGE SWEPT ONTO THE COURTYARD OF HOLYROODHOUSE PALACE IN LIMOUSINES WHERE THE QUEEN AND THE POPE SHOOK HANDS AT THE FORMAL WELCOME. THE TWO HEADS OF STATE STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH BEHIND THEM, ON A SMALL DIAS IN FRONT OF A GUARD OF HONOR FORMED OF MEN FROM THE QUEEN'S HISTORIC BODYGUARD FROM SCOTLAND, THE ROYAL COMPANY OR ARCHERS, WHO CARRY LONGBOWS AND WEAR BONNETS DECORATED WITH A SINGLE EAGLE FEATHER. THE PAPAL ANTHEM AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WERE PLAYED BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND, BEFORE THE QUEEN INTRODUCED THE POPE TO THE LINE OF DIGNITARIES INCLUDING THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, DR ROWAN WILLIAMS; THE DEPUTY MINISTER, NICK CLEGG; AND ALEX SALMOND, THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND. THE QUEEN, THE POPE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXCHANGED GIFTS IN THE MORNING DRAWING ROOM. BENEDICT WAS PRESENTED WITH A FACSIMILE OF 85 DRAWINGS BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER, AND THEN GAVE THE QUEEN A COPY OF THE BOOK OF THE LORSCH GOSPELS DATING FROM 778 TO 820. SHE THANKED HIM AND DESCRIBED THE BOOK AS 'LOVELY'. HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE INVITED TO THE RECEPTION INCLUDING LEADERS OF MAJOR RELIGIONS AND POLITICIANS. THE QUEEN APPEARED AT A LECTERN AT THE BACK OF THE PALACE, DRESSED IN A DUCK EGG-BLUE COAT AND MATCHING HAT ALONG WITH BLACK GLOVES, AND SPOKE FOR ALMOST FIVE MINUTES. SHE BEGAN BY RECALLING THE VISIT OF THE PREVIOUS POPE, JOHN PAUL II, TO BRITAIN IN 1982 AND CHANGES IN THE WORLD SINCE THEN. 'IN THIS COUNTRY WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE IN THE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND.' ADDRESSING THE POPE DIRECTLY, THE QUEEN WENT ON: 'YOUR HOLINESS, YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY REMINDS US OF OUR COMMON CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND OF THE CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WORLD PEACE, AND TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESS PROSPEROUS COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.' THE QUEEN QUOTED THE POPE'S COMMENT THAT RELIGIONS SHOULD NEVER BECOME 'VEHICLES OF HATRED' AND CONCLUDED: 'TODAY, IN THIS COUNTRY, WE STAND UNITED IN THAT CONVICTION. WE HOLD THAT FREEDOM TO WORSHIP IS AT THE CORE OF OUR TOLERANT AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS, I WISH YOU A MOST FRUITFUL AND MEMORABLE VISIT.'

ATLANTIC FISH A BOSTON LANDMARK

KNOWN FOR SERVING THE FINEST AND FRESHEST FISH AND SEAFOOD, BOSTON'S ATLANTIC FISH, IS A CLASSIC BOSTON FAVORITE WHICH ATTRACTS LOCALS AND TRAVELERS ALIKE. ATLANTIC FISH, WHICH OPENED IN 1978, FOCUSES ON ONLY THE FINEST-QUALITY SEAFOOD AND THE FRESHEST CATCHES OF THE DAY, AND FOR THIS REASON THE RESTAURANT PRINTS MENUS DAILY TO REFLECT THE SEAFOOD AVAILABLE THAT DAY. ATLANTIC FISH IS A TRUE SEAFOOD HAVEN OFFERING SIGNATURE CLASSICS INCLUDING ITS AWARD-WINNING NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER, ITS FAMOUS BAKED STUFFED MAINE LOBSTER, JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKES AND A SIGNATURE SWORDFISH CHOP. THE MENU ALSO FEATURES SOME CONTEMPORARY SEAFOOD DISHES SUCH AS TUNA BOLOGNESE, BARBECUE GLAZED SALMON AND SEA BASS CHOWDER. THE ATLANTIC FISH'S DINING ROOM IS REMINISCENT OF A CLASSIC CRUISING VESSEL FEATURING DETAILED WOODWORK AND BEAUTIFUL MURALS THAT REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THE SEA. THE RESTAURANT ALSO FEATURES A BEAUTIFUL PATIO FOR THOSE SEEKING OUTDOOR DINING.
THE RESTAURANT IS OPEN SUNDAY TO THURSDAY FROM 11.3a TO 11.0p AND ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAYS FROM 11.3a TO MIDNIGHT. IT IS LOCATED AT 761 BOYLSTON STREET IN BOSTON.

MARLBOROUGH GALLERY PRESENTS A DALE CHILHULY EXHIBITION

MARLBOROUGH GALLERY PRESENTS AN IMPORTANT EXHIBITION OF NEW YORK BY RENOWNED SCULPTOR AND GLASS ARTIST DALE CHILHULY WILL OPEN AT MALBOROUGH CHELSEA ON 16.SEPTEMBER AND CONTINUE THROUGH 16.OCTOBER. CALLED THE 'GREATEST LIVING MASTER OF THE ANCIENT MEDIUM OF GLASS', THIS WILL BE CHILHULY'S FIRST GALLERY EXHIBITION IN NEW YORK SINCE 2006. ON THE OCCASION OF HIS FIRST CHOW AT MARLBOROUGH CHELSEA, CHILHULY WILL CREATE A SPECTACULAR SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION ENTITLED CHELSEA PERSIANS FEATURING OVER ONE HUNDRED PERSIAN BLOWN GLASS ELEMENTS WHICH ARE OPEN, DISC LIKE FORMS WITH STRIATIONS (CALLED 'BODY WRAPS'). THE PERSIAN GLASS ELEMENTS ARE MOUNTED ON CURVILINEAR STAINLESS STEEL ARMATURES THAT DRAMATICALLY MOVE ACROSS THE WALLS, CEILINGS AND COLUMNS OF THE GALLERY. THE NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY-SCALED WORK FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERS THE ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THROUGH THE USE OF LIGHT, COLOUR, LINE AND GESTURE. IN ADDITION TO CHELSEA PERSIANS, CHILHULY WILL EXHIBIT A GROUP OF SILVERED SCULPTURES THAT CONTINUE HIS EXPLORATION OF GLASS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH LIGHT AND REFLECTION. THE WORKS, SPECIFICALLY SILVERED VENETIAN WITH GOLD AMBER HORNS AND SILVERED VENETIAN WITH TRIO OF HORNS ARE ESSAYS IN LIGHT AND, ACCORDING TO THE ARTIST, WERE INSPIRED BY HIS SERIES GRANDE VENETIANS EXECUTED IN 2009. HE HAS ALSO APPLIED THE TECHNIQUE TO A SERIES OF JERUSALEM CYLINDERS, ALSO IN THE SHOW, TO GREAT EFFECT. CONCURRENT WITH MARLBOROUGH'S EXHIBITION, CHILHULY'S WORK CAN BE SEEN IN NUMEROUS SOLO SHOWS AT MUSEUMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING AT THE FREDERICK MEIJER GARDEN AND SCULPTURE PARK IN GRAND RAPIDS THROUGH 30.SEPTEMBER AND THE CHEEKWOOD GARDENS AND THE FRIST CENTER FOR THE ARTS, BOTH IN NASHVILLE, ON VIEW THROUGH 2.JANUARY.2011.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS GORDONSTOUN

THE QUEEN ENJOYED A TASTE OF WEST END MUSICALS IN THE HIGHLANDS RECENTLY AS SHE VISITED GORDONSTOUN, THE SCHOOL WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SONS WERE EDUCATED. SHE WAS AT THE SCHOOL AT MORAY TO OPEN A NEW SPORTS CENTER. THE QUEEN WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO OPEN THE HALL LAST SEPTEMBER BUT THE VISIT HAD TO BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK AT THE SCHOOL. PUPILS PERFORMED EXCERPTS FROM THE MUSICAL LES MISERABLES IN THE OGSTOUN THEATER. SHE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED IN A HELICOPTER AT 11.a. THE COUPLE WATCHED HOCKEY DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE BEFORE MAKING THEIR WAY IN TO THE SPORTS HALL, WITH PUPILS LINING THE ROUTE. AFTER A SPEECH FROM BRYAN WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, THE QUEEN UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE HALL. IONA MCVEAN AND CONNOR COLLINS THE YOUNGEST BOY AND GIRL FROM ABERLOUR HOUSE, THE PREP SCHOOL FOR GORDONSTOUN, EACH GAVE HER A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE THE QUEEN CHATTED WITH THE SOLOISTS. ONE OF THEM, LAURA BARNES, SAID IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SING FOR THE QUEEN, AND SPEAK WITH TO HER AFTERWARD. DURING HER VISIT, THE QUEEN ALSO SPOKE TO PUPILS IN THE SECOND FIRE AND COASTGUARD SERVICES, AND MET SCHOOL DIGNITARIES AS WELL AS RETIRED HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION GEORGE WELSH, AFTER WHOM THE NEW SPORTS HALL HAS BEEN NAMED. GORDONSTOUN, NEAR ELGIN, HAS EDUCATED SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF BRITISH ROYALTY. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HIS SONS, THE PRINCE OF WALES, THE DUKE OF YORK AND THE EARL OF WESSEX, ALL ATTENDED THE SCHOOL, WHERE FEES RANGE FROM AROUND £19,000 FOR DAY PUPILS UP TO £29,000 A YEAR FOR BOARDERS.