Previous Posts: articles 2023
Jean Decourt Miniature of Henri III Uncovered at Auction
January 26 2021
Picture: The Independent
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Several news outlets have reported on news of a recently uncovered miniature of Henri III of France. This signed and dated miniature by Jean Decourt was discovered by the London art dealer Philip Mould at auction last year.
Most of the newspapers seem to gone with the headlines which draw attention to the King's more eccentric interest in women's fashion. Reports also explain that the art dealer is currently trying to sell the miniature to the Louvre Museum, as it is likely that the portrait was produced within this royal residence in 1578.
Update - A reader had been in touch to pose the following question regarding the miniature:
Just to say, as you will know, there is a Nicholas Hilliard miniature of Henri III in the Djangoly collection which was shown in the Elizabethan Treasures exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Done sometime 1576-78 when NH in France. Shows a younger, smarter Henri III. No-one seems to have mentioned the similarities and differences between these two. It is obvious that the Decourt shows him as older and more dissolute looking. His hairline is different, receding maybe and his ruff makes his head look abit stuck on. Is it likely that Decourt knew the Hilliard miniature and adapted bits of it 20 years later?
(....)
In the NH Henri III wears on his chain a pendant of St. Michel - just before he founded the Saint Esprit. Cant see any orders on the Decourt when he would have been wearing the Saint-Esprit.
I posed the query to miniatures expert Emma Rutherford who kindly supplied the following answer:
The Hilliard and Decourt portraits of Henri III were painted within 2 years of each other. Both artists were at the French court at the same time - Hilliard was in the service of the King's younger brother and Decourt employed by the King himself. The likely date for the Hilliard portrait is late 1576 - but Hilliard was still in France in 1578 when this portrait of Henri was painted by Decourt. The order of the Saint-Espirit was founded by Henri 31st December 1578 so that explains its absence in both of these portraits. In the portrait of the king by Hilliard the order of St Michael is just visible. The Decourt still has the original gold border and has not been trimmed.
Fondation Custodia Gifted Parisian Views
January 26 2021
Picture: Fondation Custodia
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Fondation Custodia in Paris has been gifted two landscapes by their former Treasurer Gerhard Greidanus. The gift was made in memory of the late Jan Maarten Boll, who was an avid collector and former President of the Rembrandt Association in the Netherlands.
The two works are by Pierre-Antoine Demachy (1723–1807) and Pierre-Antoine Mongin (1761–1827). Demachy's view of the roof of the Louvre (above) dates to roughly 1769-1785, before this part of the building was modified. The other work by Mongin depicts a view of rooftops in Paris made in the year 1823.
The National Trust are Hiring 8 Curators!
January 26 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Trust are hiring 8 new Property Curators.
The properties that are hiring these positions include the likes of Kedleston Hall (pictured), Hardwick Hall, Lacock, Kingston Lacy, The Vyne and Blickling.
It seems that these roles will work with the 'consultancy teams' based in Geographical areas. It's not clear whether these existing teams are the specialist departments the trust was looking to axe last year.
The positions come with a salary of £32,304 per annum, and applications must be in by 14th February 2021. Good luck if you're applying!
NGA Acquisitions
January 26 2021
Picture: NGA
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC (NGA) has acquired a painting of The Stoning of Saint Stephen by Aurelio Lomi (1556-1622).
As their press release explains:
Created while Lomi was living in Genoa (1597–c. 1604), this work is an exquisite example of the artist’s meticulously constructed compositions and figures, as well as his ability to create works suffused with light. It epitomizes the transition from the stylization of late mannerism to the more naturalistic light, movement, and texture of baroque style.
The museum has also acquired a complete set of The Seven Sacraments by Jean Dughet engraved after Nicholas Poussin.
New Series of Britain's Lost Masterpieces
January 25 2021
Video: BBC
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I'm sure Bendor would want me to alert you all to the new and upcoming series of Britain's Lost Masterpieces.
The first in the series, examining a painting in the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, airs on Monday 1st February on BBC Four at 21.00pm (GMT). The next will air at the same time on Monday 8th February.
Rembrandthuis Gifted Bol Shepherdess
January 25 2021
Picture: Rembrandt Huis
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Rembrandthuis in Amsterdam have been gifted a painting of A Shepherdess in a Landscape by Ferdinand Bol (spotted on Twitter via. @RembrandtsRoom). The painting, which dates to c.1641, was gifted to the museum by the dealer and collector Willem Jan Hoogsteder. The landscape in the work is said to be a free interpretation of that which is found in Rembrandt's Christ and St Mary Magdalen at the Tomb in the Royal Collection).
Leonardo in Senegal
January 24 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The inhabitants of Dakar in Senegal will be the last to enjoy RAI Com's travelling exhibition Opera Omnia Leonardo in the city's Museum of Black Civilisations. This touring show, which features high quality digital copies of Leonardo's works, has been on display in China, Ethiopia and other more out of the way locations since 2019. This digital project is supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the intention of sharing cultural masterpieces throughout the world.
The exhibition wind up after the Senegal leg finishes on 28th February 2021.
Manet Dog Sketch up for Sale
January 24 2021
Picture: Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A rare and very sketchy painting of a dog by Édouard Manet is coming up for sale at the French auction house Drouot next month. This pet, owned by the daughter of a Paris innkeeper Marguerite Lathuille, was supposedly completed in a mere twenty minutes. It has remained in the same family's collection until now.
The painting will be sold on 26th February 2021 with an estimate of €220,000 - €280,000.
More Female and Foreign Artists in the Prado
January 22 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Guardian have published an article that the Prado Museum in Madrid will be rehanging their collections to feature more female and 'foreign' artists. The museum leaders have said that the covid lockdown has provided an opportunity to rethink the current schemes some of which are, in their own words, "anachronistic and perpetuated 19th-century historiographical models."
The museum's director Miguel Falomir has been quoted as saying:
There are artistic phenomena and artists who have been totally excluded until now – not just women but aspects as important as social painting, which hadn’t found a place in the 19th-century collection … or painting from different parts of the world, such as the Philippines, whose art is finding itself more and more appreciated.
...
There are also whole periods in the history of art and whole regions that have been excluded. Bit by bit, we’re going to have a more inclusive Prado when it comes to this.
Free Sculpture Lectures with Fondazione Federico Zeri
January 22 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Fondazione Federico Zeri are broadcasting some free online lectures on sculpture collections this January and February. The three museum collections that will be examined include the Dresden Staatliche Kunstsammlung, the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The three lectures will be broadcast on Zoom and on the foundation's Facebook page.
AGO Restitutes Jan van Kessell (ctd.)
January 22 2021
Picture: AGO
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Following up from a story I posted last November, the restitution of a painting by Jan van Kessell by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has attracted some criticism in Canada. The Globe and Mail have published some critical voices regarding the hasty actions and paperwork that accompanied the return of the painting to the heirs of the London based David family.
It seems the painting left Canada with a general permit supplied the AGO, a procedure usually used to fast-track loans for exhibitions and the like. For this reason, it has been suggested, the export was not overseen by federal officials who might have sought an independent opinion regarding the works restitution. The hasty export has been highlighted by some as exposing a gap in the Canadian system for the export of cultural property. There has also been some disagreement about exactly when the painting was sold by the David family during the 1930s.
The AGO have defended their actions by claiming the work was not sold but returned, adding that border officials were notified. Others have suggested that the haste of the return did not meet the standards expected of the museum.
Musée des Augustins Acquires Commodi Portrait
January 22 2021
Picture: Musée des Augustins
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Musée des Augustins in Toulouse have announced their acquisition of a Portrait of a Lady by the Florentine painter Andrea Commodi (1560-1638). Commodi, a pupil of Allori and Santi di Tito, created portraits influenced by the late phase of Italian mannerism. The painting joins other examples of Italian works in the museum's collection, including pictures by Jacopo Zucchi and Francesco Curradi.
Gerband van den Eeckhout Resurfaces in French Castle
January 22 2021
Picture: La Gazette Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
La Gazette Drouot has drawn attention to a recently resurfaced painting by Rembrandt's pupil Gerbrand van den Eeckhout that is coming up for sale next week. Pharaoh Returns Sarah to Abraham was included in the Sumowski Rembrandt catalogue, but was catalogued as being in an unknown location. It recently resurfaced in a château in Poitou, France. The work will be sold on the 26th January 2021 carrying a tempting estimate of €60k - €80k.
Underneath the Sotheby's Botticelli
January 21 2021
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's have published a fascinating article investigating the materials and techniques used in Botticelli's Portrait of a Young Man with a Roundel. Lots of fantastic images are supplied, including x-rays and pigment analysis. One supposes the estimate reflects the importance of showing off such details!
GF Watts Fresco Conservation Lecture
January 20 2021
Picture: Leighton House
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Leighton House in West London are broadcasting a very interesting lecture this evening (20th January 2021) at 5.30pm (GMT). The talk by curator Tobit Curteis will focus on the conservation of George Frederic Watts's frescos which were originally painted for Little Holland House. These frescos were removed from the building before the house was demolished in 1964.
The lecture will be broadcast on Zoom and is free to attend, although registration is required.
Update - The lecture has been uploaded onto YouTube and is free to watch!
Fragonard Drawings at Christie's
January 19 2021
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Christie's have published a short article on their website about a series of 14 drawings by Fragonard in their upcoming Cornelia Bessie Old Master Drawings Sale. The series, which includes illustrations of the Italian epic Orlando Furioso, are believed to be the largest group that remain in private hands.
Sitters Identified in Stuggart Rubens Double Portrait
January 19 2021
Picture: Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The recently published Rubenianum Quarterly features a short article on the above double portrait by Peter Paul Rubens. This large oil on canvas, now in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, has been unidentified for some time. The attribution too has changed over the centuries. It was given to Van Dyck some time ago, but is now rightfully considered a Genoese period portrait by Rubens.
The article explains that archival research has helped to identify the pair as Geronima Spinola and her Granddaughter Maria Giovanna Serra. One of the details that clinched it was that Geronima was widowed in 1604 and became a nun. The sombre clothing in this portrait seems to be suggestive of a lady in mourning alongside her religious vows.
The painting will be featured in a Rubens exhibition due to be held in Stuttgart this year between 22nd October 2021 - 20th February 2022.
The Barber Institute is Hiring a Health Co-ordinator!
January 19 2021
Picture: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham is looking to hire a Health Co-ordinator. The gallery, which contains a rather enviable collection of old master and impressionist paintings, is seeking a co-ordinator to support them with their recovery from covid-19. It seems the role was partly inspired by the idea of flipping the 'artist in residence' at hospitals to creating the role of a 'nurse in residence' in their gallery.
As the job description for this unique position explains:
As communities and the healthcare sector process lockdown and living with Covid-19, we asked how can the Barber best support them in their Covid-19 recovery? Barber Health directly addresses societal issues foregrounded by Covid-19. The project consists of two strands that holistically work together- a creative arts, health and wellbeing programme for hyperlocal communities which runs alongside innovative cultural contributions to medical education.
The new role of Barber Health Coordinator is key to successfully delivering this project. Working closely with the Barber Health team, including our new Nurse in Residence, and key community partners the Coordinator will contribute to the design of creative, innovative and deliverable Barber Health activities, events and resources that utilise and share the Barber’s collection effectively. The post holder will also be responsible for the administration, logisitcal planning and communication of Barber Health to ensure successful project delivery.
The role comes with a salary up to £21,598 and applications must be in by 7th February 2021.
Good luck if you're applying!
Collecting Drawings: Panel Discussion
January 19 2021
Picture: Master Drawings NY
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Society for the History of Collecting and Master Drawings NY have teamed up for a rather interesting panel discussion on Talking Drawings: A Conversation with Collectors. The panel will be chaired by Jennifer Tonkovich, curator of drawings and prints at The Morgan Library & Museum, and will be broadcast on Saturday 23rd January 2021 at 1pm (New York time, I presume). It's free to attend although registration is required.
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp is Nearly Ready!
January 19 2021
Video: Artes Group
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp will be reopening next year after a 10 year renovation project. The museum has commissioned this rather fancy video (above) showing the completed interiors before any art works are reinstalled. Little sweeping shots of the gift shop and wardrobe are also included. It certainly looks impressive. Let's hope the museum benefits greatly from the post-lockdown boom, a tempting prospect which is feeling ever closer these days.
