Masterworks Fine Art

LA Art Show 2015

ae3255 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 07:12:17 +0000

TICKETS: Contact us for complimentary tickets for the Opening Night Preview and Regular Day tickets.

Contact us for free guest passes!

The LA Art Show is the premiere art fair that opens the art buying season, bringing together the worlds best galleries, antique dealers and most prominent jewelers. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from January 14th to 18th, 2015. With approximately 20,000 works of art in display and over 120 international galleries exhibiting their works, the show boasts an enviable selection of contemporary and modern works.

Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be showcasing a curated selection of works by Contemporary Artists, Old Masters, and 20th Century Modern Masters, including an exclusive viewing of our extensive Picasso ceramic collection. With several additional exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Rembrandt and Miró.

Come visit us: Show Schedule: Opening Night Preview: Wednesday January 14th 7 pm - 11 pm

General Admission: Thursday January 15 11 pm – 7 pm Friday January 16 11 pm – 7 pm Saturday January 17 11 pm – 7 pm Sunday January 18 11 pm – 5 pm

PLACE: Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall H 1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015

We will be posting live from the show so be sure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see all the excitement!

Rare Picasso’s to come onto the Market

Sheryl McMahan — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 20:58:30 +0000

Picasso, "Portrait de femme" 1923. Oil on Canvas A selection of Pablo Picasso’s works worth over $290 million owned by Marina Picasso, Pablo Picasso’s granddaughter, will be sold privately through Picasso.net these coming months bringing about a frenzy of interest in both Picasso’s history and his oeuvre. Works said to be available date from 1905 through 1965 and include Maternité (1921), valued at about $54 million, and Femme a la Mandoline (Mademoiselle Leonie assie) 1911, worth roughly $60 million. With one of particular personal importance being a 1923 portrait of Marina's grandmother, Picasso's first wife, Olga Khokhlova, titled Portrait de femme (Olga). It is no secret that Marina condemns her grandfather while making a profit off him, notoriously writing of him in her book Picasso: My Grandfather that he “drove everyone who got near him to despair and engulfed them," and that her inheritance was “given without love." A rough relationship in part made more difficult by Jacqueline Rouge, Picasso’s second wife, who barred a majority of his children and grandchildren from his life. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="216"] Picasso's VIlla in Cannes "La Californie"[/caption] Interestingly enough, also for sale is “La Californie," the Cannes villa Marina inherited from her grandfather, who lived there with Jacqueline Roque. The villa has become a museum and gallery dedicated to Picasso and not much is known about the conditions of sale, but as with anything attached to Picasso, it is sure to bring fervor. OTHER NEWS:

MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso inventory

Suggested Picasso artworks:

[product_category category="pablo-picasso" per_page="6" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"] Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Louvre is Most Visited Museum Once Again

Sheryl McMahan — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:31:48 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="275"] Louvre at night[/caption] With more than half their visitors being under the age of 30, the Louvre in France received over 9.3 million visitors last year. This makes the institution once again, the most visited museum in the world. Foreign visitors represented 70 percent of ticket sales, with Americans, Chinese, Italians, British and Brazilians being the most dominate, the Louvre said in a statement. That is not difficult to imagine with a collection that includes such famous works as Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the 'Winged Victory of Samothrace', Bathseba at her Bath by Rembrandt and the ‘Venus de Milo’. So if you haven’t already visited the museum then what are you waiting for, go ahead and make 2015 another fantastic year for them and museums in general. OTHER NEWS:

Naples Art, Antique and Jewelry Show 2015

ae3255 — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:43:04 +0000

The Naples Art, Antique and Jewelry Show is one of the most anticipated events of the season will make its annual return to the Naples exhibition center. The show will feature a stunning collection from more than 60 internationally acclaimed exhibitors. The show space features 50,000 square feet to display some of the finest art, antiques and jewelry.

Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be showcasing a curated selection of works by 20th century Modern Masters, including an exclusive viewing of our extensive Picasso ceramic collection. With several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró.

If you would like to attend the show please contact us for free guest passes

Come visit us at booth 207. Show Schedule: Private Preview Party: Thursday February 5th 5 pm - 9 pm General Admission: Friday February 6th 10 am - 6 pm Saturday February 7th 10 am - 6 pm Sunday February 8th 11 am - 5 pm Monday February 9th 11 am - 5 pm TICKETS: Contact us for free tickets to the Opening Night VIP Preview or for regular day tickets. PLACE: Naples Exhibition Center
850 Goodlette-Frank Road
Naples, FL 34102 We will be posting live from the show so be sure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see all the excitement!

America's Artist: Norman Rockwell Happy Birthday!

Sheryl McMahan — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 20:48:55 +0000

Norman Rockwell was born on February 3rd 1894. Known as America’s illustrator and painter in the 20^th century, no one captured the hearts and minds of everyday Americans quite like Norman Rockwell. Hired as an art director for Boys' Life magazine at age nineteen, Rockwell was motivated and talented from an early age with his sartorially true paintings catching the attention of everybody he came into contact with. That is easy to see, as his style is beautifully expressive, blending effortlessly into the scene, making it complete and memorable. As we celebrate Rockwell’s birthday today, it is his impressive career and legacy that stands out most for a man that experienced a lifetime of depression, anxiety and severe insecurity. During his career, Rockwell produced more than 4,000 pieces, including over 40 book illustrations. Most of his work, not lost in a 1943 fire, is in museums, while his drawings have influenced a number of movies, and directors have featured them in films, including "Empire of the Sun," "Funny Farm," "The Polar Express," "Forest Gump" and "American Gangster." With such inspiration gained from his works, and a man much celebrated, it is amusing that he himself did not enjoy celebrations stating, “I'm not going to be caught around here for any fool celebration. To hell with birthdays!” Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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We have openings for a few new members each day. Members receive exclusive offers on our entire inventory.

Palm Beach Art, Antiques and Jewelry Show 2015

ae3255 — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 04:13:11 +0000

The Palm Beach Art, Antiques and Jewelry Show is the areas most anticipated event this year making a spectacular splash of renowned Art Galleries, Finest Antique dealers and Jewelers. The show will bring over 100 acclaimed galleries with each exhibiting their nicest museum collection.

If you would like to attend the show please contact us for free guest passes Show Schedule: Private Preview Party: Friday February 13th 2 pm - 10 pm General Admission: Saturday February 14th 11 am - 7 pm Sunday February 15th 11 am - 7 pm Monday February 16th 11 am - 7 pm/Tuesday February 17th 11 am - 6 pm

TICKETS: Contact us for free tickets to the Opening Night VIP Preview or for regular day tickets. PLACE: Naples Exhibition Center
850 Goodlette-Frank Road
Naples, FL 34102 We will be posting live from the show so be sure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see all the excitement!

Michelangelo, 540 years of Inspiration

rup — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 23:53:20 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="190"] Daniele Da Volterra, "Portrait of Michelangelo", 1550–1555. Teylers Museum, Haarlem, the Netherlands.[/caption] An Italian sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer of the High Renaissance, Michelangelo is a legend. Born 540 years ago today, he is a man of mystery. Not much is known of his adult personal life and towards the end he destroyed many of his sketches, as he did not want people to know how hard he worked. What does exist however is a rich oeuvre known throughout the world with classics such as David and Sistine Chapel ceiling. It is through these works that we celebrate him today, a master who inspired countless generations of artists. Michelangelo was a genius in his own right, completing two of his most famous sculptures early in his life. He had a long artistic career, working into his 70s as an architect on St. Peter's Basilica and leaving his mark on all parts of the art world. More on Michelangelo:

Spain's Only Michelangelo Lives Once More

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Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Cézanne Drawings Rediscovered at Barnes Foundation

ae3255 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 21:04:27 +0000

When sending art to the conservator one never knows what will appear and such was the case with the Barnes Foundation. Upon sending two of their watercolors by Paul Cézanne, Chaîne de l'Étoile Mountains (1885-86) and Trees (c.1900), out to be conserved it was revealed that Cezanne sketched drawings on the back of each work. This was not the first time that the Barnes Foundation have found drawings on the back of Cézanne's works and according to Foundation, only 15 unknown drawings by Cézanne have emerged in the last 30 years. This is by no means uncommon as artists frequently re-purposed materials, but with an Impressionist master such as Cezanne it is certainly newsworthy. If you wish to see the revealed works in person, they will be displayed in double-sided frames at the Barnes Foundation from April 10 for eight weeks. Reference: Kennedy, Randy. Two New Cézanne Works Discovered by Barnes Foundation Museum. New York Times Online. MORE ARTICLES FEATURING CEZANNE:

View our Paul Cézanne inventory here: Paul Cézanne inventory View our complete inventory here: Masterworks Fine Art Current Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

The European Fine Art Fair Art Market Report Declares Market at Best Ever

ae3255 — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 20:40:54 +0000

The TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) Art Market Report, delivered by Dr. Clare McAndrew of Arts Economics, is considered the authority on data relating to auctions, art fairs, and market trends. As it reported in it's 2015 release, the world art market surpassed $53 billion in sales for 2014. Inside the report there are some promising and surprising finds that note a market on the rise as more collectors seek postwar and contemporary art. In 2014, 1,530 lots sold at auction for over €1 million which is up nearly 17 percent from 2013. This shows that collectors are no longer afraid of a market crash and more collectors are willing to sell their high-end works in such a comfortable time for art buying. Numerically, 127,367 different artists works sold at auction in 2014 which shows just how diverse the market is in terms of taste. Postwar and Contemporary Art represented 48 percent of all fine art sales by value, with the market for such works developing rapidly over the past few decades. Modern art came in second, accounting for 28 percent, which when put together makes all three art categories 76 percent of art sales internationally. This has large market potential for future investing, and is a trend that will continue to rise as artworks in those categories becomes more accessible. In 2014, there were 180 major art fairs with an international element and the top 22 fairs generated over a million visitors and tremendous revenue to the art trade. Sales made at fairs accounted for a reported 40 percent or $10.3 billion of all dealer sales in 2014. Meanwhile in-gallery sales accounted for 32 percent of all dealer sales. This indicates that art gallery’s are still valuable assets to the art world and important places of knowledge that art buyers seek out when making investments. In the ever-expanding demand for art, the global art market was dominated by three major art markets which comprised the US (39%), China (22%) and the UK (22%). All of which signify the impact that the art market has on the global economy. Art markets around the world make an important contribution to employment, the nurturing of specialist skills and the support of adjacent industries. It is estimated that 2.8 million people are employed globally by around 300,000 companies trading in art and antiques. Making it a large sector for jobs and a secure investment for buyers, a win-win from both sides. More Articles Regarding the Art Market: *Cezanne and Miró Make Waves in the Market *Rare Picasso's to come onto the Market *Market Watch: Old Masters on Top View our entire inventory here: Masterworks Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested artworks:

[product_category category="marc-chagall" per_page="3" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"] [product_category category="pablo-picasso" per_page="3" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"]

The Growth of the Online Art Market

ae3255 — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 23:27:26 +0000

The TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) Art Market Report, delivered by Dr. Clare McAndrew of Arts Economics, is considered the authority on data relating to auctions, art fairs, and market trends. With the recent release of the 2015 TEFAF art market report, the growth of the online art market is estimated to have reached $3.5 million this past year. This means that online art sales accounted for six percent of the total global art and antiques sales for 2014. That's huge money considering online sales have only gained ground within the past few years. In discussing the online art market, the report refers to the addition into the art market of retail companies that sell their art directly to buyers online as well as intermediary players that provide a platform for the traditional galleries and auction houses to enter into online sales such as Amazon and Artnet. With the report showing that the middle market, between $1,000—$50,000, has been the focal point for most online selling it is a good indicator of the increasing accessibility of art. The report is certainly seen as positive and a good indication of where the art market is heading in the future. More Articles Regarding the Art Market: *The European Fine Art Fair Art Market Report Declares Market at Best Ever *Cezanne and Miró Make Waves in the Market *Rare Picasso’s to come onto the Market *Market Watch: Old Masters on Top View our entire inventory here: Masterworks Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested artworks:

[product_category category="marc-chagall" per_page="3" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"] [product_category category="pablo-picasso" per_page="3" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"]

The Artists Studio

ae3255 — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 18:44:38 +0000

Gagosian Gallery is currently showing an exhibition titled In the Studio: Paintings from February 17 - April 18, 2015 that explores the subject of the artist's studio in works of art. It includes over 50 paintings and works on paper by nearly 40 artists that includes Wilhelm Bendz, Honoré Daumier, Thomas Eakins, Lucian Freud, Jean-Léon Gérôme, William Hogarth, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso. Capturing the happenings in an artist’s studio is one of the earliest and longest standing motifs. From the painter at the easel to pedagogical scenes to images of artists and models, each scene is fascinating to both artists and viewers for they allow a glimpse into another world and exclusive access into the mind of brilliant creators. The space where art is created is often an escape for the artist from the world; a space where they go to for freedom and purpose. In portraying that space they make a statement about their lives and passion. They open themselves up to the world, leaving behind their privacy. Artists such as Chagall, Picasso, and Matisse have strong oeuvres rich in expressions of their creative space. It is through such personal exposure that makes these works so cherished by collectors. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

MORE ON MARC CHAGALL:

View our complete inventory here: Masterworks Fine Art Current Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Picasso artworks:

[product_category category="pablo-picasso" per_page="6" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"]

"Uncle Andy": Crowdfunding for Andy Warhol Movie

ae3255 — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:53:32 +0000

Members of Andy Warhol’s family want to make a feature-length film consisting of Warhol’s relations reminiscing about him provisionally titled Uncle Andy. Subtitling their project “The Andy Warhol Family Film”, the two filmmakers – Abby Warhola, the artist’s great-niece, and her partner Jesse Best – said it would look behind the public face of the cultural icon by presenting Warhol in the context of his creative family. The film would not focus solely on Andy but include Paul, Andy’s eccentric oldest brother, who was a chicken farmer turned artist. Along with the nephews and nieces who visited “Uncle Andy” at his New York townhouse. “Their personal stories will surprise many who thought they may have already known Andy Warhol. With a family like this it is no wonder that Warhol became the most influential artist of modern time,” Warhola stated. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="220"] Young Andy Warhol[/caption] Warhola, a fashion photographer, and Best, an award-winning artist, have already conducted many of the interviews over the course of the last eight years. However they need $175,000 to finish creating the documentary, which will go towards capturing more interviews and animation sequences to illustrate the childhood stories told by the Warhol family. That is why they have turned to crowdfunding and most notably Kickstarter to help finish their documentary. The common perception is that Warhol’s family profits from his work, but that is not the case. After Warhol’s death in 1987, the bulk of his fortune went to creating the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in New York. And while the Warhol Foundation endorses the project, due to the institution being a non-profit it cannot fund commercial projects. Thus if Warhol fans are interested in the film being released then you have a chance to be apart of the funding and help bring to life a more complete picture of one the most powerful and popular artists of the 20^th century. MORE ANDY WARHOL CONTENT: *Andy Warhol: Into the Future View our Andy Warhol inventory here: Andy Warhol inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Warhol artworks:

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Artexpo New York 2015

ae3255 — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 20:40:10 +0000

This year marks Artexpo New York's 37th year bringing Galleries, Publishers, Designers and Collectors to one of the worlds largest markets. This year the show will be exhibiting over 400 artists with an estimated 25,000 art enthusiasts visiting. A spectacular event, Artexpo New York is show that should not be missed! Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be showcasing a curated selection of works by 20th century Modern Masters, including an exclusive viewing of our extensive Picasso ceramic collection. With several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró. Contact us for complimentary guest passes! Show Schedule: VIP Opening Night Preview Party: Thursday April 23rd: 4 pm -7 pm General Admission: • Friday, April 24th: 12PM – 7PM • Saturday, April 25th: 10AM – 7PM • Sunday, April 26th: 10AM – 6PM TICKETS: Contact us for free tickets to the Opening Night VIP Preview or for regular day tickets. Location: Pier 94 711 12th Ave (55th Street & the West Side Highway) New York, NY 10019-5399 We will be updating live from the show so be sure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see all the excitement!

Picasso Heirs Win in French Court

ae3255 — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:05:37 +0000

Picasso Heirs Win in French Court

In a case that has garnered attention since it first came to light over a year ago, Pablo Picasso’s electrician, Pierre Le Guennec and his wife, Danielle have been ordered by a French court to return over 271 artworks to Picasso’s heirs. Unknown to the public for decades, the works have an estimated worth of 60-100 million euros. Pierre Le Guennec, now at the age of 75, says Picasso or his wife at the time Jacqueline, gave him the paintings, drawings, lithographs and collages around 1970 when Le Guennec worked for the renowned Spanish artist. However Picasso’s family has disputed the claims and now with the French court reaching a verdict, the works will return to the family and the Le Guennecs, in addition to losing them will be given a two-year suspended sentence. This now leads to the interesting question of what the family will do with the works; sell them or keep them until they become more valuable? MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory

Suggested Picasso artworks:

[product_category category="pablo-picasso" per_page="6" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"] Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

The Genius of Van Gogh

ae3255 — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 14:53:39 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="161"] van Gogh, "Self Portrait,"Autumn 1887. Musée d'Orsay in Paris[/caption]

The Genius of Van Gogh

A tortured soul, Vincent van Gogh was a unique artist who worked with a sense of urgency which often caused him a great deal of stress. Largely self-taught, van Gogh started his career copying prints and reading nineteenth-century drawing manuals and books. With his signature technique growing out of the idea that to be a great painter, you had to master drawing first. Thus van Gogh felt it was necessary to master black and white before working with color, and so he focused on learning the essentials of figure drawing and depicting landscapes in correct perspective. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="287"] Comparison of Early and Later Styles[/caption] It was during this formative time and after that Van Gogh completed over 1,000 drawings in total and produced nearly 150 watercolor paintings during his lifetime. Interestingly, many people consider Van Gogh's letters to be another form of artwork because they include sketches of works that he was focusing on at that time or had just finished. What these sketches are is proof of van Gogh's growth as an artist, showing the fascinating progression of his masterpieces. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="215"] van Gogh, "Wheat Field with Crows", 1880. Oil on Canvas. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.[/caption] The beauty in van Gogh’s masterpieces lie in his technique of deliberately using colors to capture mood, rather than using colors realistically. No other artist was doing this at this time; "Instead of trying to reproduce exactly what I see before me, I make more arbitrary use of color to express myself more forcefully." He achieved fame long after his death and is one of the most recognizable artists in the world, which is why we celebrate him today and the influence he has had on countless generations of artists and viewers. View Recent News:

Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Kunstmuseum Collection at the Reina Sofia Modern Art Museum

ae3255 — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 18:38:35 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="136"] Fernand Léger, "La femme en bleu", 1912. Oil on canvas. Kunstmuseum Basel © ProLitteris, Zürich[/caption] With the Kunstmuseum in Switzerland currently closed due to renovations, they have traveled 150 of their most impressive artworks to the Reina Sofia Modern Art Museum in Spain. The artworks from the Kunstmuseum collection will be on display for 180 days and include works by Picasso, Warhol, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Giacometti, Monet, Klee, Gauguin, Rothko, Cezanne, Munch, Leger, Richter, Modigliani, and Gris to name a few. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="238"] Exhibition view. Collectionism and Modernity. Two Case Studies: The Im Obersteg and Rudolf Staechelin Collections, 2015[/caption] The exhibition has interestingly enough been split up into two parts, White Fire and Collectionism and Modernity. White Fire consists of 106 pieces of sculptures, paintings, photos, video and collages with a focus on how modern art evolved from the 19th century to the present. Collectionism and Modernity consists of 60 works of art from the collections of Im Obersteg and Rudolf Staechelin with the focus being on current figurative paintings from the 19th century to about 1940. The reviews for the exhibition have been positive and the show will be available to the public until September 14. View Recent News:

Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Cezanne and Miró Make Waves in the Market

ae3255 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 23:53:40 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="159"] Paul Cezanne "Vue sur L'Estaque et le Château d'If" (circa 1883-1885), Oil on Canvas[/caption] Several of diverse artists that Masterworks Fine Art features sold well at auction this past week, creating an interesting momentum in the market for surrealist and impressionist works. Vue sur l’Estaque et le Château d’If (1883-1885), rare among Cezanne works due to its vertical-format landscape, sold for $20.5 million at a London auction yesterday, making it the first time it hit the market since 1936. Painted during his last visit to the town of L'Estaque, Cezanne found wonderful inspiration in the location with this particular piece capturing a view from the hill above the town, with trees framing the fishing port's terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea. This price further cements Cezanne’s place, at the moment, as the world’s most expensive artist. Meanwhile Joan Miró’s Woman, Moon, Birds, (1950) was the highest lot, selling for $30.2 million. An abstract work featuring figures cavorting in the moonlight, Miró’s work and surrealism in general is becoming popular with Russian and Asian buyers. This is believed to be because the art express the mood of unreality, unease and the irrational in Europe between the two world wars. As the international market becomes more diverse in taste, the demand will increase making these works difficult to come by and now the time buy. More Articles Regarding Joan Miró: *Child’s Play *Printmaking Alive and Well View our Joan Miró inventory here: Joan Miró inventory View our Paul Cezanne inventory here: Paul Cezanne inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Miro artworks:

[product_category category="joan-miro" per_page="6" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"]

Paul Gauguin at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel

rup — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 18:28:18 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="274"] Paul Gauguin, "Vision of the Sermon or Jacob Wrestling with the Angel", 1888; Scottish National Gallery, Edinburg[/caption] From 8 February to 28 June 2015, the Fondation Beyeler in Basel will stage the biggest Paul Gauguin special exhibition in half a century. No museum in the world is exclusively devoted to Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) making this retrospective of around 50 works gathered from museums and private collections in 13 countries one of the most important exhibitions ever of Gauguin’s colorful paintings. The exhibition will focus mainly on the famous paintings Paul Gauguin created in Tahiti but will also include some of his multifaceted self-portraits and his visionary, spiritual paintings from his time in Brittany. It will also include a number of his sculptures that evoked the art of the South Seas. With such a rich oeuvre to select from, the exhibition is worth visiting and will certainly effect the market for his works. View our Gauguin inventory here: Gauguin Inventory View Recent News:

Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

A Very Happy Birthday to Renoir, An Impressionist Master, February 25th

rup — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 23:20:05 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="155"] Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 - 1919)[/caption]

A Very Happy Birthday to Renoir, An Impressionist Master, February 25th

Much is written and available about Pierre-Auguste Renoir, one of the most influential Impressionist artists of the 20^th century. Thus in honor of his 174^th birthday, instead of writing about his achievements and art, presented instead is a list of some interesting and little known facts about him. They will hopefully create a better perspective of the man who celebrated beauty and light, and encourage further exploration into his amazing life. Fact 1: Of all the Impressionist artists, it was Renoir who was most interested in painting humans and studying the portrayal of human emotions. Very often there is a sense of emotion in a scene he’s captured which comes from the figures in the scene and their behavior. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="205"] Pierre-Auguste Renoir "Les Baigneuses", 1887, Oil on Canvas. Philadelphia Museum of Art[/caption] Fact 2: In 1881 Renoir feared that he had been so swept up in Impressionism that he had forgotten how to paint properly. To rectify this he traveled to Italy, studying the classical art of the Renaissance painters like Raphael, which inspired him to create paintings with more solid definition and a specific focus. He emphasized volume, form, contours, and lines rather than color and brush stroke. His works from this time onward have been grouped together under the title of the "Ingres" period, reflecting their slight similarity to the technique of Ingres. This period is also known as Renoir's "harsh" or "dry" period. Fact 3: Renoir participated in Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee even though he was not a British citizen at the request of one of the queen's associates. Renoir was asked to provide a number of paintings to the "French Impressionist Paintings" catalog as a sign of the artist's loyalty. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="198"] Pierre-Auguste Renoir "The Great Bathers (The Nymphs)" 1918- 1919, Oil on Canvas; Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France[/caption] Fact 4: Renoir developed severe rheumatoid arthritis later on in life which confined him to a wheelchair. In the advanced stages of his condition, he strapped a paint brush to his paralyzed fingers so that he could continue to make art. Up until his death in 1919, Renoir spent a lot of time on one large-scale composition ‘The Great Bathers (The Nymphs)’ as well as sculpting, by directing his assistant in what he wanted to accomplish. Fact 5: Just before his death in 1919, Renoir saw one of his canvasses displayed next to the work of his hero Paolo Veronese in the Louvre. Fact 6: The single largest collection of Renoir's works is not in his home country of France, but rather at the Barnes Foundation in Pennsylvania where a total of 181 paintings currently reside. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="192"] Pierre-Auguste Renoir "Dance at Moulin de la Galette" 1876, Oil on Canvas[/caption] Fact 7: Renoir's joyful depiction of an open-air dance hall in Paris, "Au Moulin de la Galette," is his highest publicly sold work of art, selling for $78.1 million. This makes it the 9^th highest painting ever sold to this date and the artist part of an exclusive group that includes Van Gogh, Picasso and Gauguin. More Articles on Renoir:

‘Renoir Girl’ vs. The Baltimore Museum of Art for Renoir’s “On the Shore of the Seine”

View our Renoir inventory here: Renoir Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Renoir artworks:

[product_category category="pierre-auguste-renoir" per_page="6" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"]

Frank Stella’s Year to Shine

ae3255 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 05:17:55 +0000

Frank Stella’s Year to Shine

As one of the most revered American artists, Frank Stella is well known for his unique minimalist and post-abstract paintings in bright colors, which create vivid optical illusions. Popular and loved throughout the world, this year he makes quite a statement with a retrospective and new artwork. Currently showing at the Royal Academy of Arts in London until May 12 is a new large-scale artwork by Stella. The 7-meter tall sculpture, titled Inflated Star and Wooden Star (2014), is made of aluminum and teak wood. The contrasting materials create a sense of tension, making the material appear simultaneously repelled and attracted to each other, as if trapped in an invisible force field. A work that truly deserves to be seen in person. This autumn, a major retrospective of his work will open at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York which will showcase his prolific output from the mid-1950s to the present with approximately 120 works, including paintings, reliefs, maquettes, sculptures, and drawings. It will be the most comprehensive survey of his oeuvre to date and is sure to be one amazing show as there is certainly no artist more deserving than him, so be sure to schedule it in. View our Frank Stella inventory here: Frank Stella inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Happy Birthday Goya, The Master of Old and New

ae3255 — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:02:10 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="184"] Francisco Goya "The Third of May," 1808. Oil On Canvas. Museo del Prado, Madrid[/caption]

Happy Birthday Goya, The Master of Old and New

A master on the edge of two worlds, old and modern, Francisco Goya was admired for his realistic portraits, romanticism, and later in life his darkness. He was a complicated man who wanted nothing more than to express himself and was able to accomplish that at the highest level, becoming a court painter to the Spanish Crown. He captured the culture and happenings of his lifetime unlike any other painter, and utilized paint in a bold way that inspired successive generations of artists like Édouard Manet, Pablo Picasso and Francis Bacon. As we celebrate his 269^th birthday today, it is all of his accomplishments we reflect on and the brilliance of his mind that ushered in a modern era of painting. View Recent News in Art:

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“Warhol: The Athletes” at Oklahoma City Museum of Art

ae3255 — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 14:56:00 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="211"] Warhol and Pelé[/caption] Andy Warhol’s series The Athletes includes 10 portraits of famous athletes that were commissioned by Andy Warhol’s friend and collector Richard Weisman. Created in 1978, the painting series features NBA all-time scoring leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, golfing great Jack Nicklaus, figure skating Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill, boxing icon Muhammad Ali, the infamous O. J. Simpson, the Brazilian football legend Pelé, ice hockey great Rod Gilbert, baseball pitching legend Tom Seaver, tennis pro Chris Evert and the world record breaker for professional jockey victories Willie Shoemaker. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Weisman who has loaned the paintings to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the works will be available to see once more. So if you missed them at the San Antonio Museum of Art then now is your chance. Outside of the paintings, there will also be 12 of Warhol’s most memorable film screen tests from the mid-1960s, including those of Bob Dylan, Edie Sedgwick, Dennis Hopper and Salvador Dali. In addition to a number of Polaroid photographs that Warhol shot himself, lent by the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art. The exhibition will remain on view through July 12, 2015. Other Warhol News: *“Uncle Andy”: Crowdfunding for Andy Warhol Movie *Andy Warhol: Into the Future View our Andy Warhol inventory here: Andy Warhol inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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Happy Birthday Van Gogh!

ae3255 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 18:52:42 +0000

Happy Birthday Van Gogh!

Born on March 30, 1853, Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most influential artists ever, although he received little appreciation during his life time. Embodying the myth of the tortured artist, Van Gogh's paintings are remembered for their expressive use of line and coloration. How we view his artwork is often inseparable from his personal life, more so than any other artist. Through his paintings, and letters to his family, most often his brother Theo, the life of Vincent Van Gogh has been meticulously studied. Without any formal training and his notoriously fragile mental state, Van Gogh has captivated the imaginations of art lovers with his exhilarating landscapes, magnificent still lives, and remarkable portraits. Today, we celebrate the beauty that Van Gogh left with us in over 800 paintings, and 1,100 works on paper. View Recent News:

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Goldwyn Art Collection for Sale

ae3255 — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 21:43:21 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="245"] Pablo Picasso's 1948 "Femme au chignon dans un fauteuil" (L) and David Hockney's 1988 "Malibu House" at a pre-auction viewing of property from the Goldwyn family collection at Sotheby's[/caption] With the passing of any serious art collector comes intrigue surrounding what will happen to their collection. In the case of the Samuel Goldwyn Jr. estate, the founder of multiple movie studios, you sell. In a collection that’s estimated to be worth between $25 and $30 million, 25 works will be auctioned off by Sotheby’s New York. These include works by David Hockney, Milton Avery, Diego Rivera and two famous pieces by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse; “Femme au Chignon Dans un Fauteuil” (1948) and "Anémones et grenades" respectively. As the son of Samuel Goldwyn Sr. — the G in M.G.M, access and taste in artwork ran in the family. As the New York Times noted, “Some historians have traced the start of the art collection to a box-office cold spurt by Samuel Goldwyn Sr. Worried that he had fallen out of touch with postwar audiences, he supposedly turned to art for inspiration. But the person driving the collecting may actually have been his wife, Frances Goldwyn.” With a diverse range in movie making in the family, its no wonder the taste carried over into art. And with such a strong provenance backing these unique originals, it will certainly be interesting to see how the auctions unfold. Reference: Barnes, Brooks. Goldwyn Heirs to Sell Art and Hollywood Hills Mansion. New York Times. March 18, 2015. More On Pablo Picasso

More On Henri Matisse:

View our Henri Matisse inventory here: Henri Matisse inventory View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Matisse: The Cut Outs Exhibition Gets a Movie

ae3255 — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:55:40 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="170"] Matisse - Live from Tate Modern. Released June 3, 2014[/caption] The exhibition Matisse: The Cut Outs that was most recently at the Museum of Modern Art in New York was a phenomenal success. Bringing to light one of the often-ignored stages in Matisse’s career, the show was informative and bold. Accompanying the show, which some individuals may not have been aware of is a film called Matisse LIVE. A behind-the-scenes documentary about the acclaimed exhibition from the Tate Modern and Museum of Modern Art in New York, Matisse LIVE includes interviews with individuals who knew Matisse as well as Tate director Nicholas Serota and MoMA director Glenn D Lowry. The film also features specially commissioned performances by Royal Ballet principal dancer Zenaida Yanowsky and jazz musician Courtney Pine. It is not only a wonderful look into the exhibition, but also at Matisse; providing insight into his art and life with a unique take unseen before that is certainly worth experiencing. More On Henri Matisse:

View our Henri Matisse inventory here: Henri Matisse inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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Fondation Custodia - The Little Known but Historic Drawing Collection in Paris

ae3255 — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 22:12:20 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="189"] Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo Italian Drawings from the Städel Museum in Frankfurt Exhibition 21 March – 21 June 2015[/caption] Hidden away behind the Assemblée Nationale in Paris is a little known art foundation that keeps an extraordinary collection of historical old master drawings. Located in the Hôtel Turgot, the Fondation Custodia was established by the renowned Dutch connoisseur and collector Frits Lugt back in 1947. As one of the most famous authorities on old master works, Lugt was a selfless and tireless compiler of essential reference tools documenting Dutch, French, Italian, and German drawings, dating from the 15th to the late 18th centuries which included collectors' stamps and sale catalogues. In particular however, his specialty was Rembrandt, whom Lught collected all of the known etchings made by Rembrandt during his career. Since founding the Fondation in 1947, the collection has grown to include 7,000 Old Master drawings, 30,000 prints, and 220 paintings. With the roster of artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Peter Paul Rubens, and of course Rembrandt to name but a few. What makes the collection even more unique however is that it also includes over 40,000 artists' letters including items penned by Dürer, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Henri Matisse, among others. This is why the Fondation is a study collection, but they are hoping to broaden the appeal of viewing their collection by letting it be known that anyone is allowed to visit. As the current Director Ger Luijten states, “We are open to everybody, no matter their level of expertise. Our ambition is to become Paris's ‘house of drawing'." And it is with those sentiments in mind, that they began hosting temporary exhibitions last year that are open to the public in a separate area of the building. In addition they are seeking to improve their collection with the addition of more contemporary drawings so they can represent a broader range of the art world, with their final hope to become the ultimate destination for drawing lovers in Paris. More Articles on Rembrandt:

View our Rembrandt inventory here: Rembrandt inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Another Picasso “Gift” Confiscated

ae3255 — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:47:44 +0000

On the heels of the recent French court ruling that found Picasso’s electrician guilty of stealing more than 60 million euros of artwork from him during the later years of his life that the electrician claimed was given to him as a gift from Picasso, comes news of another falsely owned Picasso artwork. A retired Italian framer claims the Picasso painting confiscated this week in a police raid was given to him in 1978 as a thank you gift from a widower for reframing a photograph. The framer claims he did not know it was a Picasso until last year, and once he did realize it he decided to auction it off to Sotheby’s which is how it came to the attention of the authorities. The Cubist artwork, which depicts a violin and a bottle of Bass beer, was authenticated by police experts as a 1912 work by the Spanish artist and is estimated to be worth $16 million. Due to the murky provenance, an investigation is underway to discover the truth surrounding the work and find the owners should it in fact be found to have been stolen. This once again displays the fine line of a gift and the necessary paperwork that is needed to accompany them when dealing with such artworks and artists. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory

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Spain’s Only Michelangelo Lives Once More

ae3255 — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:09:31 +0000

Young Saint John the Baptist (1495-96) by Michelangelo sat on view in the Chapel of the Savior of Úbeda, in Andalusia, since it was first put on display in the 16th century. Then came the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939, in which the sculpture was hammered to pieces and burnt. Thought to be unfixable, the owner of the work, the Ducal House of Medinaceli Foundation, stored the pieces for decades until recent state of the art technology made it possible. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="157"] Michelangelo's Young Saint John the Baptist (1495-96) after its restoration Photo via: Museo del Prado[/caption] Beginning in 1996, experts at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence used vintage photographs and written descriptions to create a 3D virtual reconstruction of the sculpture. They then assembled the remains of the piece, secured with the help of a steel structure, and filled the gaps with a blend of fiberglass and nylon. The filling was then sealed with stucco, wax, and varnish and the burnt head given a laser treatment, which cleaned and smoothed its surface. Instead of making the sculpture look new, they choose to leave the cracks as a reminder of war and destruction. Now, Young Saint John the Baptist (1495-96) is on view once more at the Museo del Prado in Madrid until June 28. After which it will return back to its home, the Chapel of the Savior of Úbeda, in Andalusia where it can rest in peace once more knowing that it has been baptized with a second life. More on Michelangelo:

Michelangelo, 540 Years of Inspiration

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DreamWorks Animated Movie ‘Home’ Shows Some Love for Van Gogh

ae3255 — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:51:26 +0000

The DreamWorks animated movie ‘Home’ is a touching story of love, loss, acceptance, and friendship that focuses on the adventures of an alien named Oh who is seeking redemption and a girl named Tip who is searching for her mother. In the film’s first weekend of showings, the movie earned over $54 million domestically making it the number film at the box office. And it’s not hard to see why as accompanying the wonderfully touching script is a voice cast led by Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Jim Parsons. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="249"] Vincent van Gogh "The Starry Night," 1889. Oil on Canvas. Museum of Modern Art, New York[/caption] For those who have seen or will see the movie, there is a particularly charming sequence that centers around Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. In this scene Tip discusses that the purpose of art is not to satisfy hunger but rather to satisfy the soul. That art brings out intricate emotional and mental states and expressions which Oh is only beginning to comprehend. With the choice of Starry Night, the work appeals to both Oh, as it depicts the Milky Way, and Tip as it depicts the yearning for home. This really touches upon us as the audience, as we relate to their struggles and desires, but also provides an Easter egg for those of us who are art history lovers. Just as Oh the alien wants somewhere to belong and Tip wants the security of her mother, in reality van Gogh had those same yearnings. Van Gogh, who was ostracized by many communities during his lifetime, moved frequently searching for a home. He wanted somewhere to belong and sought companionship through the form of consorts and lovers. He relied heavily on his brother and sister-in-law for support, often making for strained relations. Van Gogh wanted more in his life and unfortunately never found that longed for commercial success or personal fulfillment in his lifetime. However we revere him today as a master at his craft, and in the movie well I wont spoil that for you but for those of you haven’t seen it you should. More on van Gogh:

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Happy Birthday Vlaminck April 4th!

ae3255 — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:10:25 +0000

Happy Birthday Vlaminck April 4th!

Maurice de Vlaminck was a talented writer, musician and of course artist. Having grown up with two musicians as parents he effortlessly played the violin and was highly immersed in the arts which is why it is no wonder he choose to pursue an artistic career. The fascinating thing about Vlaminck's artwork is that he was purely self-taught so his art comes from a place not of admiration of masters and other artists, but of his true instinct which is why his style is often difficult to pin down. Fauvism is the movement with which Vlaminck will always be most closely associated. However Fauvism was a brief period of creative exploration for participating artists such as Matisse and Vlaminck. Thus the evolution of his works leaned toward a style he professed to loathe, Cubism, prior to World War I. After World War I, Vlaminck settled into an Expressionistic style that he maintained for the rest of his life and what he is most famous for. As we celebrate his 139 birthday today, we honor the fact that his intuition and effortless technique was wholly his own and one that continually evolved to make it delightfully difficult for him to fit into the defined classification system of the art world that exists today. View Recent News:

View our Maurice de Vlaminck inventory here: Maurice de Vlaminck Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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The Controversy of the Rothschild Rembrandts

ae3255 — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:20:53 +0000

Private art collectors pose an interesting issue for matters of national heritage as they are granted rights that other businesses and institutions do not hold. As two Rembrandt portraits make their way from France to the United States, there is quite the uproar over the Ministry of Culture and the Louvre for failing to declare the portraits as National Heritage. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="381"] Rembrandt, Portrait of Maerten Soolmans (left) and Portrait of Oopjen Coppit (right), (1634) Photo via: La Tribune de l'Art[/caption] These two portraits by Rembrandt are of 21-year-old Maerten Soolmans and his 23-year-old fiancé Oopjen Coppit, the daughter of an Amsterdam nobleman. Painted just before their wedding in 1634, the young couple paid only 500 guilders. They were bought in 1877 by Baron Gustave de Rothschild and exhibited for a short period of time in 1956 in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. The Rothschild family has kept them for decades and has now decided to move them with many speculating the reason is in order to sell, as they are worth a reported $162 million. This upsets many in the international community because if they do sell, many feel the family should have worked with the Ministry of Culture and the Louvre on a figure to purchase them, as they were interested in owning the works. However with their cash-strapped resources there was no way France would have been able to come up with the amount needed in the allocated 30 month holding period. Thus they had to let the works leave, which now brings more attention to the works. Whether that will be postive or negative further down the road remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding the decision, and the Rothschild’s family interesting move will certainly be discussed further and watched. More on Rembrandt:

Michelangelo, 540 Years of Inspiration

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View our Rembrandt Inventory Here: Rembrandt Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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Warhol Museum Not Coming to New York After All

ae3255 — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 17:00:55 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="312"] Outside of the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA[/caption] The Andy Warhol Museum is one of the most popular museums in the United States. Currently located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the artist’s hometown, the museum has a large and diverse audience thus it made sense for the museum to be apart of a development project that was being planned in New York. However the 6-acres on the Lower East Side in New York that they were negotiating to branch out to has now been terminated, with Eric Shiner, director of The Warhol, saying in a statement, “The Andy Warhol Museum, which had been exploring its participation in the Essex Crossing development in lower Manhattan, has determined that it will not proceed with the project. Despite the efforts of both the museum and the developers, an internal study of business and other operational considerations led the museum to this decision.” All the more intriguing is the fact that Delancey Street Associates, a consortium of three developers, was to pay for the cost of building the museum branch, which had a target opening date of 2017. The location itself was close to Warhol personally as his first apartment was in Lower Manhattan on St. Mark's Place. Thus making the decision to not expand quite an interesting one. However museums are faced with challenges that many institutions and businesses do not have to recognize and although they have no plans for a branch as of now, there could always be one in the future. Other Warhol News:

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Happy Birthday Raphael!

ae3255 — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:09:26 +0000

Raphael was born today and passed away today leaving an impressive oeuvre. Known as the greatest painter in history, he was a fascinating man who lived in a time with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who were also masters at their craft and made it no easy feat to stand out. As Raphael and Michelangelo worked in the Vatican at the exact same time as each other, they were great rivals and both shared a great jealousy for one another. The most infamous incident is where Raphael refused to paint the ceiling of Sistine Chapel and suggested Michelangelo as he knew Michelangelo was a sculptor, not a painter, and wanted to see him struggle - history tells us that this is a somewhat ironic sentiment. Besides being calculating, he was very social and a bit of a party animal, eventually dying of syphilis at the young age of 37. Raphael had a fiancée for over 7 years but put off marriage as he had a number of mistresses and was hoping Pope Leo X would make him a Cardinal. Rather grandiose thoughts from a grandiose individual who lived a full life and has been celebrated for centuries and will continue to be celebrated for centuries to come.

Music Festivals and Art

ae3255 — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:02:52 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="270"] Philip K. Smith III, Reflection Field (2015). Photo: Courtesy of Coachella.[/caption] Usually occurring in April over a series of weekends is Coachella, a music festival that features big name and unknown artists. Outside of showcasing talented musicians however the festival also features installation art. This year there were 19 art installations on the festival grounds including a giant yellow and black caterpillar by Mike Grandaw, which overnight, turned into a blue, orange, and yellow butterfly; an enormous spacesuit, reminiscent of the MTV icon, hovering over the crowd, its arms reaching out as if to embrace them; a red robot sculpture by Christian Ristow holding a blue flower; as well as a curvaceous light installation by Stereo-Bot. Although the festival goers may not appreciate the art as much as the music, there leaves a lot to be interpreted and discovered about the works. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="261"] BMW 3.0 CSL - The first art car. Created by American sculptor Alexander Calder for his friend Herve Poulain[/caption] Much like the Burning Man festival that takes place in Nevada in August, art is very much a part of the experience. A place where the art is not for sale and self-expression is embraced leaves a lot to be desired in this day and age. Therefore it is freeing to go to festivals like Coachella or Burning Man and enjoy the art that was created specifically for that experience. It makes you wonder if artists such as Alexander Calder, Joan Miró or Pablo Picasso whose artistic ideologies challenged the normal standards of art interpretation would have contributed to such events... View Recent News:

View our Alexander Calder inventory here: Alexander Calder inventory View our Joan Miró inventory here: Joan Miró inventory View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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Banksy Mural Granted Historical Protection

ae3255 — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:20:34 +0000

As we previously wrote this past August in Banksy's Graffiti Art Gets Graffiti Tagged, a Banksy mural was vandalized that depicted several spies eves-dropping on a phone booth in the English town of Cheltenham. Today the building on which he painted his Spy Booth mural was granted protection by the local government. The Cheltenham Borough Council gave the artwork retrospective protection by including the mural in the building's existing Grade II-listed status. In Britain, a Grade II listing distinguishes a building with historical significance, so the mural cannot be removed or altered without permission. The artwork only appeared a year ago in April 2014 and since then has been subjugated to several acts of vandalism, removal attempts, and an ownership dispute. Again leaving the debate open as to what distinguishes graffiti from art. Is it just a matter of the name attached to it or the statement it makes? Should we be saving the works or are they meant to be temporary, only existing in the space for a short amount of time? Well perhaps the laugh is on the rest of the world as Banksy responded on his website to how he felt about his artwork being granted historical status: “It's surprising because when I did art at school I got an ‘ungraded,'" he said, revealing that he failed his art classes when he was younger. However many great artists did such as Matisse, Monet and van Gogh and they are readily admired today. Although none of them created art in such an illegal manner as to destroy private and government property (or improve it's value depending on how you look at it.) View Recent News:

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Happy Birthday to Joan Miró on His 122nd Birthday

ae3255 — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:55:20 +0000

Joan Miró drew on inspiration from memory, fantasy and the irrational, which is why his art is so universally cherished and honored. Working on themes that surrounded poetry, novels, plays, political agendas, and his own experiences, he pulled his abstract creations from the real world around him which enabled him to give his works an added depth and story to them. Miró explored the possibility of creating an entirely and new visual vocabulary for art that, while not divorced from the objective world, could exist outside of it. Rather than transitioning to complete abstraction, Miró's biomorphic forms remained within the bounds of objectivity. However, they were forms of pure invention and were made expressive and imbued with meaning through their juxtaposition with other forms and the artist's use of color. Thus on his 122^nd birthday, we continue to celebrate Miró for his ability to create a world on multiple mediums that seemed plausible, despite the compositions considerable level of abstraction. More Articles Regarding Joan Miró: *Child’s Play *Printmaking Alive and Well View our Joan Miró inventory here: Joan Miró inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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Changes on the Way for the US Art Market? If the "ART Act" Passes, Yes

ae3255 — Tue, 05 May 2015 16:06:15 +0000

Visual artists' resale royalty rights is a huge issue in the art world as artists often sell their works for less, only to see their value increase over the years without getting a later cut of the profits. More than 70 countries provide visual artists' copyright protections for their intellectual property, however the United States does not. Therefore certain members of congress and the art community are pushing to change that so that American artists can receive reasonable royalties when their works are sold publicly. The ART Act is what is being introduced in congress to support American artists by allowing them to get a cut when their artworks sell at an increased value at public auction. The ART Act would provide a resale royalty of five percent of the sales price, up to $35,000, for any work of visual art sold at auction for $5,000 or more. The royalty would apply only to auctioneers that have sold at least $1 million worth of visual art during the previous year. Under the bill, royalties would be collected by visual artists' copyright collecting societies, which would have to distribute the royalties to the artists or their heirs at least four times annually. The legislation would allow American artists to collect royalties when their works are sold at auction in the E.U. and more than 70 other countries. Opponents of the bill, which are mainly auction houses, argue that it will benefit those artists who are already successful and thus don't need the additional income. Meanwhile a provision of the ART Act highlights a new aspect of the royalties world: after five years, the bill would require the Copyright Office to evaluate the effects of the royalty payments on the art market and look into expanding the scheme to cover works sold by dealers and other art market professionals. Thus this is an issue that effects the whole US Art Market as galleries and private markets are generally exempt given the nature of their sales, but in the issue of fair compensation, nothing is safe. For More Information Regarding this Topic Please See Below:

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Picasso Breaks Another Art World Record

ae3255 — Thu, 21 May 2015 15:54:07 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="275"] Picasso, "Women of Algiers (Version O)," 1954-1955. Oil on Canvas[/caption] Pablo Picasso’s Women of Algiers (Version O) has beat out Francis Bacon’s triptych Three Studies of Lucian Freud to become the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction, breaking an art world record. Bacon’s triptych sold for $142.4 million at Christie’s in November 2013 and Picasso’s Women of Algiers (Version O) sold for $179 million at Christie’s this past week. Women of Algiers, once owned by the American collectors Victor and Sally Ganz, was inspired by Picasso’s fascination with the 19th-century French artist Eugène Delacroix. It is part of a 15-work series Picasso created in 1954-1955 designated with the letters A to O. It has appeared in several major museum retrospectives of the artist. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

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Henri Rousseau, A Happy Birthday May 21

ae3255 — Thu, 21 May 2015 15:54:26 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="283"] Henri Rousseau, "Exotic Landscape", 1910. Oil Henri Rousseau, A Happy Birthday May 21on Canvas[/caption]

Henri Rousseau, A Happy Birthday May 21

Henri Rousseau was a French Post-Impressionist painter known for his creation of the Naïve or Primitive manner in which art was a completely natural expression. In his art in particular there resonates an innocence and charm that won him the admiration of the avant-garde during his lifetime. He once even commented to Pablo Picasso: “We are the two great painters of our time, you in the Egyptian style, I in the modern style." Most widely known for his jungle scenes, although he never left France, Rousseau's jungles, tigers, and exotic vegetation sprang solely from his imagination which was inspired by books and visits to the tropical indoor gardens and conservatories of Paris. Through his imaginative power he showed an extraordinary ability to retain a freshness of vision throughout his works and a stunning attention to detail. Both of which are why we hold Rousseau dear today and celebrate him on his birthday.

A Happy Birthday to Mary Cassatt, May 25

ae3255 — Wed, 27 May 2015 00:14:55 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="159"] Mary Cassatt, "Portrait Of The Artist", c.1878. Oil on Canvas[/caption]

A Happy Birthday to Mary Cassatt, May 25

Mary Cassatt is a fascinating woman as she is best known and loved for her tender portrayals of mothers with children but was not a mother herself. Instead, she pursued the path of becoming an artist in a time when female artists were looked down upon. Her work is widely renowned due to the intense and quiet emotion that shines through her portraits and touches the heart. She captures subtle and deep relationships between women and children with a stunning accuracy that transcends time. Her work maintains its remarkable qualities up through the present day as Mary Cassatt continues to be a celebrated female American artist. Although American, she spent a majority of her life in France where she befriended Edgar Degas and exhibited among the Impressionists. A resilient woman, she grew quite popular with her striking and realistic portrayals of femininity and relationships that exuded truth. As we celebrate 131 years of her legacy today, what we really celebrate is the gift she gave us of artwork that speaks to warmth and naturalness which is a difficult feat for any artist.

Remembering Manet on the Anniversary of his Passing, April 30

ae3255 — Fri, 29 May 2015 20:45:57 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="139"] Manet, "Self-Portrait with Palette," 1878–79 Oil on Canvas[/caption]

Remembering Manet on the Anniversary of his Passing, April 30

Manet is commonly understood as being the leader of the Impressionist painters but he was not particularly interested in light, rather he was interested in portraying contrast. At a time when the favored style was conservative, dark, and religious, Manet challenged the accepted art world by presenting unconventional themes and effects. Thereby a better description of him would be as a leader of a new modern phase in art, rather than specifically as a leader of the Impressionist movement. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="260"] Manet, "Olympia" 1865[/caption] A bit of an enigma if you will, Manet never embraced the Impressionist label and was never particularly keen on historical art, but seemed to draw a lot of inspiration from the Renaissance artists. In fact, he re-created many of their paintings by bringing them up to date. Such examples are Raphael’s Judgment of Paris, which can be seen in his work Dejeuner sur l'Herbe, and Titian’s Venus of Urbino, which is reinterpreted in his work Olympia. A fascinating man, with complex interests and artistic influences, his passing today over 153 years ago reminds us of the limitations of labels in the art world and how important it is to challenge the conventions. View Recent News:

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The Artists Studio
The Growth of the Online Art Market
“Uncle Andy”: Crowdfunding for Andy Warhol Movie
The European Fine Art Fair Art Market Report Declares Market at Best Ever

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Museum Acquires Rare Picasso Glass Work

ae3255 — Wed, 27 May 2015 00:15:14 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="263"] Sarah Rothwell, assistant curator of modern and contemporary design with a rare Picasso glass sculpture, called Capra, at the National Museum Scotland in Edinburgh. Picture: Greg Macvean[/caption] The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has paid £22,500 to acquire a proof of rare Pablo Picasso glass work Capra. Pablo Picasso designed the work in 1954 and Italian glass maker Egidio Constantini produced it, after which another seven variants were made. The work is made from black, white and iridescent glass, and will be a highlight in their collection after their reopening. Multiple other Picasso works will be shown as well including his ceramics and his rare intricate jewelry pieces. The glass work stands out however as Picasso’s glass work is less well known because there is so little of it, which makes the addition that much more valuable: "It’s very rare that you get the chance to see of his glass work in a gallery or museum. There is some in the Guggenheim museum in Venice, but I’m not aware of any in the UK," Rose Watban, senior curator of modern and contemporary art and design at the museum, said. Now visitors to the National Museum of Scotland will get some rare Picasso pieces of their own. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso Glasswork inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Picasso artworks:

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The Man, The Myth, Picasso

ae3255 — Fri, 29 May 2015 20:45:43 +0000

The Man, The Myth, Picasso

Few artists compare to Picasso’s oeuvre, artistic talent and personality. A man of many loves and secrets, he lived an exciting life that was full of passion and adventure, so it is no wonder that many misconceptions surround him. Some are fanciful, some are horrible and some are unbelievable. However everything has some hint of truth to it and so below for your pleasure are little known stories of Picasso that are just a tad on the unbelievable side to be true but are. Picasso and Stolen Art: Long suspected of having a hand in stealing the Mona Lisa (one of it's multiple times), Picasso at least appears to have been aware of another Louvre theft. In 1911, authorities discovered that Picasso was in possession of two Iberian statues that were stolen from the Louvre by his known acquaintance, Géry Pieret, four years earlier. Géry Pieret was the secretary of Picasso’s good friend Guillaume Apollinaire, and at the time, the artist claimed he had no idea that the statues were stolen. However it’s been argued that Picasso had full knowledge of the origins and may have even commissioned the heist, with the entire ordeal going down in history as the "affaire des statuettes." Given his admiration of Iberian art, art history professor Noah Charney argues “Picasso was a regular visitor to the Louvre and a passionate admirer of Iberian art, which he felt was the root of all Spanish art. It is inconceivable that he would not recognize the statue heads presented him by Géry Pieret ... It is also beyond plausibility that Géry Pieret would randomly choose to steal a pair of statues that were so ideally suited to Picasso’s tastes, and then happen to offer them ... to the Spaniard.” Picasso the Gun Slinger: Inspired by the lifestyle and works of French writer Alfred Jarry, Picasso copied his many quirks of carrying around a revolver. Whereas Jarry’s revolver was loaded, Picasso choose to carry his empty upon which he would fire at admirers inquiring about the meaning of his paintings or anyone he found dull. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="257"] Picasso in his studio holding Rousseau’s Self-portrait of the artist with a lamp [1903] and Portrait of the artist’s second wife with a lamp [1903], which he purchased.[/caption] Picasso the Artist Maker: A man of may tastes and talents; Picasso was involved in many artistic scenes. Often holding receptions for authors, poets, and artists Picasso’s intentions were not always polite. Picasso had little like of Henri Rousseau’s art but started inviting Rousseau to hang out with his friends in jest, which Rousseau apparently didn't understand. As a further joke, Picasso held a fake party for Henri Rousseau, who was so secure in his talents that he took it for real acclaim and honor, telling Picasso: “You and I are the greatest painters of our time. You in the Egyptian style, I in the modern!" However afterwards the joke was on Picasso as his relationship and subsequent promotion of Rousseau led to Rousseau becoming quite successful during his lifetime. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso Glasswork inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Picasso artworks:

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Giacometti Sets Mark on Market

ae3255 — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:14:14 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="256"] Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966), L'homme au doigt, 1947 © 2015 Alberto Giacometti Estate/Licensed by VAGA and ARS, New York[/caption] Alberto Giacometti sets auctions records regularly, so when his most beloved 1947 70-inch (180-cm) bronze sculpture, "Pointing Man” came up for auction last month it was expected to fetch more than $130 million, but what it actually sold for was $141 million. Proving once more how in demand the artist is and how his artwork appreciates well over the years. The previous record price for a Giacometti sculpture sold at auction was $104.3 million which was paid for Giacometti's "L'Homme qui marche I" in 2010. 'Pointing Man' however is considered to be Giacometti’s greatest. Executed in Giacometti's trademark elongated style with a rippling, irregular and scarred surface, the work is one of six casts. Four of them grace major museums, including London's Tate and New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Rare Repatriated Klimt "Portrait of Gertrud Loew" to Come to Auction

ae3255 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 17:48:51 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="108"] Gustav Klimt, "Portrait of Gertud Lowe" 1902. Courtesy Klimt Foundation[/caption] The repatriation of art that was abandoned, stolen, or sold during World War II is a popular topic. One in particular that has been in the news lately is Gustav Klimt’s 1902 oil on canvas, Portrait of Gertrud Loew. Gertrud Loew, portrayed in the work, along with her late husband Elemer Baruch von Felsöványi inherited the work from her father. However in 1939 with the Nazi occupation, Gertrude fled Vienna for the United States. After her departure, the painting found itself in the hands of Klimt's son Gustav Ucicky. Ucicky passed away in 1961 and the ownership then fell to his wife Ursula who started the Klimt Foundation in 2013 to preserve her father-in-law’s legacy. Upon notification that the ownership of Portrait of Gertrud Loew was being contested, the foundation vowed to assist. A legal team then determined that the portrait did belong to the Felsöványi family and the portrait along with five drawings that also originally belonged to the family were returned. In an interesting turn of events however, both the heirs and the Klimt Foundation have agreed to auction the painting and share the profits, which is estimated to sell for around $25 million. This brings to mind another case of a Klimt work that was only recently repatriated to the heirs of the Jewish refugee Maria Altmann. Maria was forced to flee her hometown of Vienna during World War II and fought for her right of ownership after the war of Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907) which was recently portrayed in the movie Woman in Gold. Repatriation is a difficult issue for any country to address, but for artwork still contested after World War II there appears to be more of a willingness for research to occur and shared resources between organizations and individuals. This is of course wonderful to see as the more frequently it occurs the more artwork will be revealed, however there is still along way to go.

Art Southampton 2015

ae3255 — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 18:50:40 +0000

The fourth season of Art Southampton, the premier art fair of the Hamptons, is happening this July. and we want to see you there! The five day fair will be benefiting the Parrish Art Museum , Southampton Hospital, the Ross School, and Southampton Fresh Air Home and Robert Wilson's internationally renowned The Watermill Center. Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be making our debut appearance at this world-renowned fair, displaying several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró, including an exclusive viewing of our extensive Picasso ceramic collection. Contact us for complimentary guest passes! Show Schedule: VIP Preview Thursday, July 9 7:30pm-10:00pm General Admission: Friday, July 10 12pm - 7pm Saturday, July 11 12pm - 7pm Sunday, July 12 12pm - 6pm Monday, July 13 12pm - 6pm TICKETS: Contact us for free tickets to the Opening Night VIP Preview or for regular day tickets. Location: Nova’s Ark 60 Millstone Road, Bridgehampton, NY 11976 Within the town of Southampton We will be updating live from the show so be sure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see all the excitement!

Ai Weiwei Opens First Solo Show in China

ae3255 — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 17:46:31 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="299"] Ai Weiwei's "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads" (2010) Photo: Phillips[/caption] Ai Weiwei opened his first solo exhibition in China last month. The eponymously titled exhibition “Ai Weiwei" opened at Galeria Continua at the Tang Contemporary Art Center in 798, the art district in Beijing. Forbidden from leaving China since 2011, Ai has been living and working out of his Beijing compound, and only exhibiting internationally, with considerable success. This show marks a turning point in his career in China as it is not political, but rather embodies a respect for the Chinese tradition with the reinterpretation of ancient themes in a contemporary context. The exhibition has been well received by the Chinese media, the New York Times reports. It had been approved by the authorities, but was re-scheduled to prevent it from coinciding with the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 on June 4. Ai Weiwei has two further exhibitions opening in Beijing this month providing Chinese fans a rare chance to see his work at Magician Space and Chambers Fine Art. He also has a show opening at London's Royal Academy on September 19 providing more of a his fans a chance to see his ever expanding oeuvre.

Art Aspen 2015

ae3255 — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:40:29 +0000

A big thank you to our collectors and supporters for coming to visit us. Art Aspen 2015 was spectacular with over 250 contemporary and post-war artworks by over 100 artists. Masterworks Fine Art Gallery showcased a curated selection of works by 20th century Modern Masters, including our extensive Picasso ceramic collection, and several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró. Show Times: Thursday, Aug 13, 5-9pm | Opening Night Preview Friday Aug 14 | noon-7pm Saturday Aug 15 | noon-7pm Sunday Aug 16 | noon-6pm Location: Aspen Ice Garden 233 W Hyman Ave Aspen, CO 81611

Houston Fine Art Fair 2015

ae3255 — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:20:42 +0000

Thank you to all our collectors and supporters who came out to visit us! With 85 galleries from 14 countries, the Houston Fine Art Fair 2015 exhibited a vast array of artworks from modern and contemporary masters, mid-career and emerging artists from around the globe. Masterworks Fine Art Gallery showcased a curated selection of works by 20th century Modern Masters, including our extensive Picasso ceramic collection, and several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró. Show Times: Wednesday Sep 9, 2015 6 – 7:30pm | VIP Preview 7:30 – 9:30pm | Opening Night Preview Regular Fair Hours: Thursday, Sep. 10 | 11am – 9pm Friday, Sep. 11 | 11am – 9pm Saturday, Sep. 12 | 11am – 6pm

Location: NRG Center One Reliant Park Houston, TX 77054

Art Silicon Valley / San Francisco

ae3255 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 21:58:34 +0000

Thank you to our collectors and supporters for coming to see our exhibit last weekend! This year's Art Silicon Valley / San Francisco Show was phenomenal with its stunning and creative exhibition of artworks. We hope that everyone who came enjoyed the show! Masterworks Fine Art Gallery showcased a curated selection of works by 20th century Modern Masters, including our extensive Picasso ceramic collection, and several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró. FAIR HOURS Platinum VIP Preview | Thursday, October 8 | 6pm - 7:30pm Access for Art SV/SF Platinum VIP Cardholders Sponsored by Ruinart Champagne and Benefiting ScholarMatch VIP Preview | Thursday, October 8 | 7:30pm - 10pm Access for Art SV/SF VIP Cardholders and Accredited Press GENERAL ADMISSION Friday October 9 | 11am - 7pm Saturday October 10 | 11am - 7pm Sunday October 11 | 11am - 6pm LOCATION San Mateo County Event Center Expo Hall 1346 Saratoga Drive San Mateo, CA 94403 Below are some photos of our booth from the show:

Art Aspen 2015

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:40:29 +0000

Attend Art Aspen 2015 to experience over 250 contemporary and post-war artworks by over 100 artists. Opening night comes with the added delight of an open wine bar and hors d’oeuvres. Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be showcasing a curated selection of works by 20th century Modern Masters, including our extensive Picasso ceramic collection, and several exhibits featuring our finest offerings of Picasso, Chagall, and Miró. Show Times: Thursday, Aug 13, 5-9pm | Opening Night Preview Friday Aug 14 | noon-7pm Saturday Aug 15 | noon-7pm Sunday Aug 16 | noon-6pm Location: Aspen Ice Garden 233 W Hyman Ave Aspen, CO 81611 Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see live updates during the show!

American Artist Series: Mary Cassatt

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 22:36:34 +0000

Mary Cassatt

American Artist Series: Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt was born in Pennsylvania, but lived much of her adult life in France where she befriended Edgar Degas and later exhibited among the Impressionists. Her fame comes from creating images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children. As a woman who never married, Cassatt forged a path for women artists to be outspoken and knowledgeable. She learned early on from her mother the importance of education and the need to be socially active and did so in stride, making sure everything she did in her career were on her terms. This could be why Degas and Cassatt were such wonderful friends as they had much in common: they shared similar tastes in art and literature, came from affluent backgrounds, had studied painting in Italy, and both were independent, never marrying. Her independence is what today resonates in her artworks. As even though we see these woman portrayed in their societal roles, there is a note of emotion, of longing, of happiness, of a true reality being portrayed that no other artist could and can capture. She has inspired countless generations of artists and her artworks are worth millions, making her one of the most beloved and influential American artists of all time.

Suggested Cassatt artworks:

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American Artist Series: Andy Warhol

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 21:19:13 +0000

American Artist Series: Andy Warhol

In honor of the 4^th of July, we will be looking at famous American artists in our collection who have left an impact on the art world and perhaps the most important one is Andy Warhol: Warhol’s works explore the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture and advertisement. His art used many types of media, including hand drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, sculpture, film, and music. He was also a pioneer in computer-generated art using Amiga computers that were introduced in 1984.Andy Warhol grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he struggled as a child but found solace in his mother, art and music. After graduating high school, he enrolled in the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, where he studied commercial art and grew to have a successful career. Bored with the behind the scenes work however, Warhol soon created his own art and became a world-renowned, and often controversial artist. Pouring his creativity into many artistic pursuits, Warhol lived a life full of opportunity and connections. However he passed away unexpectedly after a routine surgery in 1987, leaving behind the most successful oeuvre of any artist and having what he wanted most: wealth and fame.Outside of art, Warhol founded Interview Magazine and was the author of numerous books, including The Philosophy of Andy Warhol and Popism: The Warhol Sixties. He managed and produced the Velvet Underground, a rock band that had a strong influence on the evolution of punk rock music and his studio, The Factory, was a famous gathering place that brought together distinguished intellectuals, drag queens, playwrights, Bohemian street people, Hollywood celebrities, and wealthy patrons.

“Popeye” by Jeff Koons and “Six Self Portraits” by Andy Warhol

Warhol’s legacy today is perhaps a movement bordering on a religion with his influence seen in every aspect of commercialism and the art world. His art is being used in every shape and form, from post cards to t-shirts to bags. The lessons he learned during his career with having a publicity machine and his own sector of the marketplace are all Warhol’s own deliberate strategy, but have now been appropriated by Keith Haring, Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, and other artists who have achieved art stardom. They reference consumer products, practice corporate-style branding and self-promotion, and even engage in factory-like production—often in the unabashed pursuit of wealth or, at least, celebrity. And all of this is acceptable because Warhol paved the way. Warhol enabled artists to take control of their art and utilize it for their own means. Warhol led a revolution and the successive generations of artists that have come after him are reaping the benefits, and will continue to, which makes him the most influential American artist and one we Americans hold dear as he represents the American ideal of being a first generation American who came from nothing and made something of himself in spite of the hardships faced.

Suggested Warhol artworks:

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American Artist Series: Jasper Johns

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 21:19:03 +0000

American Artist Series: Jasper Johns

In honor of the 4^th of July, we will be looking at famous American artists in our collection who have left an impact on the art world and one in particular who stands out is Jasper Johns:

Jasper Johns

Jasper Johns grew up in South Carolina, moving from home to home and never really knew what art was but knew he had a passion for design. He studied briefly at the Parsons School of Design in New York and in 1952 and 1953 was stationed in Sendai, Japan, during the Korean War. In 1958, Johns hit success with his own exhibition at a gallery and changed the direction of art from embracing Abstract Expressionism to embracing one of control. Johns broke the artistic mold by making use of things that were familiar to people, such as popular iconography and found objects as his painting’s subject. Johns’ flags and target images heralded the pop art movement, making use of iconic images to diverge them of meaning and cut associations from the past. Their only significance lay in acquiring the label of art. He eschewed the idea of the artist-hero and embraced the experimental, the accidental, and the everyday—aesthetic approaches that became extremely influential in contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol and Robert Irwin.

Jasper Johns “Flag”, 1969. Lithograph. Masterworks Fine Art

Throughout his career, Johns has also created drawings and a variety of prints. He is one of the most acclaimed and influential living artists. Today, at the age of 85 he remains at the forefront of American art, ranking with Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Munch, and Picasso as one of the greatest printmakers of any era.

American Artist Series: Deborah Butterfield

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 21:18:50 +0000

In honor of the 4^th of July, we will be looking at famous American artists in our collection and one is the iconic sculptor Deborah Butterfield:

Deborah Butterfield Horse

Born in California, Deborah Butterfield credits her birthdate, the 75th running of the Kentucky Derby, as an inspiration for her subject matter. She earned her bachelor’s degree and a Master of Fine Arts at the University of California, Davis and studied under Manuel Neri. After gradating she rose to fame as her oeuvre of horses began circulating. Crafted out of scrap metal, cast bronze, wood, and other found materials, the horses represent self-portraits of her and gradually over her career have became her primary theme. For her method, Butterfield sculpts a piece using wood and other materials fastened together with wire, then photographs the piece from all angles so as to be able to reassemble the piece in multiple materials. Working only in the winter, pieces usually take 3 to 5 years to create. Renowned galleries represent her and her works reside in international museum collections, making her one of the most successful American sculptors to have ever existed.

American Artist Series: Frank Stella

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 21:18:37 +0000

In honor of the 4^th of July, we will be looking at famous American artists in our collection and one who needs no introduction is Frank Stella:

Frank Stella

Frank Stella grew up in Massachusetts and attended Princeton University, where he majored in history. He visited many New York art galleries and began to pursue art as a career, moving to New York in 1958. Once there he produced works which emphasized the picture-as-object, rather than the picture as a representation of something, be it something in the physical world, or something in the artist’s emotional world. They were met with great acclaim and soon in the mid-1960’s Stella began his extended engagement with printmaking.

In 1967, Stella designed the set and costumes for Scramble, a dance piece by Merce Cunningham and the Museum of Modern Art in New York presented a retrospective of Stella’s work in 1970, making him the youngest artist every to receive one. After which he introduced relief into his art, coming to call it “maximalist” painting for its sculptural qualities. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Stella’s deep relief gave way to full three-dimensionality, with sculptural forms derived from cones, pillars, French curves, waves, and decorative architectural elements. In the 1990s, Stella began making free-standing sculpture for public spaces and developing architectural projects. Today Stella is an active proponent of artist’s copyright laws and continues to create, keeping up the pace and the interest, despite the incredible amount of artists and works being produced in the contemporary art arena.

Suggested Stella artworks:

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Picasso Ceramics: A Market Going Strong

Masterworks Fine Art Blog — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 17:49:05 +0000

Picasso ceramics have taken ahold of the art market to become one of Picasso’s most quickly enduring market segments. Long ignored, the Picasso ceramics market is desirable as works are not only exclusive and limited, but also accessible to emerging collectors much like his lithographs. With beginning prices of around $1,500, some of them fall below the $3,000 range making them wonderful investments. Such examples are Picasso’s bowls, often referred to as ashtrays, which are decorated with bullfighting scenes (usually picador and bull), owls and birds. Rapidly growing in value, they have gone from being under $1,000 a few years ago to selling for over $3,000 depending on the image displayed and of course condition. Quite an investment no matter the money spent, Picasso ceramics are here to stay. That will be good in the long run for the Picasso market as it enables diversity among collectors and highlights Picasso talents as a skilled artisan, which went unnoticed for some time and is long overdue.Then on the other side of the demand, in the high-end market, there are Picasso’s more unique sculptural ceramic pieces that have reached incredibly high prices. Rising to millions of dollars sold in the market over the last 10 years, Picasso ceramic results have blown the $100,000 recorded prices in the 90s out of the water. Christie’s sold the famous glazed vase Grand vase aux femmes voilées for over $1.1 million including fees (June 25, 2012 in London). While in June 2013, another copy of Grand vase aux femmes voilées fetched $1.5 million including fees, adding $400,000 to the work’s value in just one year. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Suggested Picasso artworks:

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Masterworks Fine Art at New York Art, Antique and Jewelry Show 2015

ae3255 — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 21:02:18 +0000

Join us at the New York Art, Antique and Jewelry Show this November. In its second edition, this New York show held at the exquisite Park Avenue Armory will bring prominent fine art dealers, the best jewelers and many important antiques from 80 international galleries. Opening night invites VIP guests to experience a first-look of the show offerings before they are available to the public. As one of New York City’s longest running events, the show has become a hallmark in the city’s social season and has set a benchmark of excellence in the art, antique and jewelry industry. Over 30,000 items spanning from every genre will be in display, juxtaposing many periods and movements. Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be showcasing a curated selection of works from our wide range of Masters including Picasso, Vlaminck, Miró, Francis, Chagall and Hirst. Many of these pieces will be featured for the first time. Show Dates and Hours: Friday, November 20th 2pm – 10pm Opening Day/Night Preview Saturday, November 21st 12pm – 8pm Sunday, November 22nd 12pm – 6pm Monday, November 23rd 12pm – 8pm Tuesday, November 24th 12pm – 5pm Location: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065 Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/masterworksfineartgallery to see live updates during the show!

Andy Warhol: Endangered Species Portfolio, 1983

ae3255 — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 20:27:28 +0000

Andy Warhol is a dynamic artist whose subject matter range from everyday objects to world famous celebrities. Created in 1983, Andy Warhol’s Endangered Species silkscreen prints are some of the most important works of his oeuvre. These 10 screen prints were the result of a conversation about ecological issues between Warhol and art dealers Ronald and Frayda Feldman. Aside from their prominence in the art world, the Feldmans were long-time political and environmental activists. Since Warhol himself was also an animal lover, this commission gave rise to the ten colored silkscreen prints each featuring an endangered species at the time.

Each silkscreen print shares the vibrant coloring and iconic status associated with the portraits of Warhol celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali and Grace Kelly. Like he had done with the portraits of celebrities, the animals are colored vibrantly, a quality Warhol described as “animals in makeup.” Warhol thus honors the animals by placing them on a level of superstardom, reminding viewers of the importance these animals hold on a global level.

Since its conception, the portfolio has been exhibited all over the world, many prints gifted by Andy Warhol to charities concerned with preserving the natural environment.

Of the animals on this list, eight still remain on the endangered species list. The bald eagle was taken off the list in 2007 and the Pine Barrens tree frog was removed shortly after the creation of this portfolio due to erroneous information on the species.

Endgangered Species Portfolio, 1983

[caption id="attachment_45798" align="aligncenter" width="233"] Bald Eagle[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_45799" align="aligncenter" width="233"] Grevy's Zebra[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_45802" align="aligncenter" width="232"] Black Rhinoceros[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_45803" align="aligncenter" width="234"] Orangutan[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_45801" align="aligncenter" width="233"] African Elephant[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_45804" align="aligncenter" width="232"] Bighorn Ram[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_45805" align="aligncenter" width="233"] Giant Panda[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_45806" align="aligncenter" width="234"] Pine Barrens Tree Frog[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_45807" align="aligncenter" width="233"] San Francisco Silverspot[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_45808" align="aligncenter" width="230"] Siberian Tiger[/caption]

Suggested Warhol artworks:

[product_category category="andy-warhol" per_page="6" columns="3" orderby="rand" order="rand"] View more artworks by Warhol

Stella Retrospective at The Whitney Museum

ae3255 — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:28:50 +0000

Frank Stella: A Retrospective was on view at the Whitney Museum in New York from October 30, 2015 to February 7, 2016. The exhibition displayed approximately 100 works, showcasing Stella’s prolific career from the 1958 to the present moment. The exhibition was the first retrospective to be held in the museum’s new building in Chelsea and occupied the Whitney’s largest floor for temporary exhibitions. Frank Stella was also the first artist to receive a one-person retrospective at the museum. The show was organized by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in partnership with the Whitney Museum of American Art. The artist also assisted the curators in selecting and installing his works. The timing and location of this exhibition demonstrates the power of Stella’s legacy. [caption id="attachment_49612" align="alignleft" width="500"] Installation view of Stella: a Retrospective at the Whitney Museum[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49492" align="alignleft" width="340"] Promotional Image for Frank Stella: A Retrospective[/caption] The show is displayed in loosely chronological order. Though art works from the same time period were displayed closely, works from differing periods would also be placed within the same room. The ultimate goal was to demonstrate the breadth of Stella’s career. As expected, viewers were presented with “black paintings” like Die Fahne hoch!, 1959 which were cornerstones of Stella’s early years. The white lines of the work are faintly painted, challenging the eye to adjust to the darkness in search of the lines. Despite the geometric precision of the work, the artist’s hand still shows. In this deliberately minimalist painting, Stella strips painting to its most basic form. [caption id="attachment_49486" align="aligncenter" width="287"] Frank Stella, Die Fahne hoch!, 1959[/caption] However, much of the exhibition was also dedicated to the colorful, abstract works which occupied Stella's later career. An example on display was Das Erdeben in Chili [N#3] (The Earthquake in Chile), 1999. This painting in particular showcases Stella’s clever use of titles a deviation from minimalism. The title was taken from a novel from the 1800's written about an earthquake in Chile. The novel’s influence on Stella unfolds beautifully on the canvas. The vibrant color and forms on the canvas reflect the chaos of an earthquake. Stella adds remarkable beauty to the concept of destruction. Additionally, it is a fitting metaphor as Stella shakes the art world with his artistic reinvention. [caption id="attachment_49491" align="aligncenter" width="1276"] Frank Stella, Das Erdeben in Chili [N#3] (The Earthquake in Chile), 1999[/caption] Finally, Stella’s sculptures completely eliminate the traditional canvas. Raft of the Medusa (Part 1), 1990 is a work from this category. At an impressive size, the metal sculpture appears as if its pieces were broken and then melded together. Despite the solid quality of the metal, the composition appears fluid and wave-like. The artwork was inspired by Géricault, who painted The Raft of the Medusa, 1818-19. The dramatic painting depicts the shipwreck of The Medusa. In Stella's interpretation, a combination of metal curves and collides to form an intertwining mass. The sculpture appears destructed, balancing its identity as a both found object and a work of art. It is after all, a modern depiction of a shipwreck. Dealing with nautical themes is familiar to Stella. He also dedicated a majority of his later period which pay homage to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. [caption id="attachment_49489" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Frank Stella, Raft of the Medusa (Part 1), 1990[/caption] The impressive thematic and stylistic range in the artworks showcased two sides of Stella: one as the young visionary from Princeton and another as the older artist who continues to push the boundaries of his craft. His evolution is evidenced by the ever-changing materials of his work. As viewers progress through the show, shapes and colors become less and less confined to their canvas. If anything, this exhibition was Stella stating that he too cannot be confined as either a minimalist or an abstract expressionist. Frank Stella: A Retrospective will be on view at the de Young Museum in San Francisco from November 5, 2016, through February 26, 2017. Read more articles on Frank Stella: Frank Stella and Moby Dick: A Whale of Imagination

Suggested Stella artworks:

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Pablo Picasso: A Family Affair

ae3255 — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 22:53:40 +0000

When Pablo Picasso passed away without a will, he left behind more than 45,000 works which have become the center of personal and financial struggle between his heirs. The artist was survived by 4 children from 3 different women. They are as follows: Paulo (with Olga Khokhlova), Maya (with Marie-Thérèse Walter), and Claude and Paloma (with Francoise Gilot). Paulo, the artist’s only legitimate son, passed away in 1975. His children Marina and Bernard Picasso now join Claude, Paloma and Maya as official heirs to the estate. The heirs at the center of the estate negotiations are Claude and Paloma. The relationship between them with their father has been challenging. Their mother, Francoise Gilot, left Picasso after a ten year affair, and is the only lover to ever leave the artist. In 1964, she published a book titled Life with Picasso which infuriated Picasso and led him to bar Paloma and Claude from his home. Despite this severed relationship, the two children were eventually able to gain shares of the estate through a 1972 law which protected illegitimate offspring. [caption id="attachment_49454" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Picasso with Claude and Paloma[/caption] Since then, Claude Picasso has been named legal administrator of Picasso’s estate and is now the head of the Picasso Administration, an organization that manages the licensing of Picasso’s name. The administration oversees a huge variety of legal concerns. Each year, an annual report is largely dedicated to court cases that have been settled or are pending. Given the wide variety of objects (automobiles, pens, lingerie) which have acquired Picasso’s name, it is not surprising that the administration is constantly enmeshed in legal battles. Despite their persistence in protecting the artist’s name, there still remain hundreds of illegal brands titled “Picasso” around the world. In regards to Picasso’s artworks, Claude remains the official authenticator and receives on average almost 1000 requests for authentication annually. The verification process can be complicated, given the scholarship required and the necessity for Claude to view the works in person. We can only imagine the Picasso Administration will strengthen its authority as the market for Picasso works continues to soar. The range of Picasso collectors has grown exponentially to include regions such as Asia and the Middle East. Just last year, there were 34 Picasso exhibitions in total around the globe. One recent exhibition which generated great excitement was MOMA’s Picasso Sculpture. The exhibition was well received for revealing the lesser known aspects of the artist’s expansive oeuvre. As such, Picasso’s name also retains its value in the commercial art market. In May, 2015 Picasso’s 1955 painting Les Femmes d’Alger (Version “O”) was sold by Christie’s for the astounding price of $179 million. This marked the record as the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. [caption id="attachment_49455" align="aligncenter" width="494"] Photo from Picasso Sculpture Exhibition[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49457" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Les Femmes d’Alger (Version “O”), 1955[/caption] Evidenced by the popular museum exhibitions and the high auction prices, the wealth and renown of Picasso and his family will continue to grow. Given their status within the art world, the family has been incredibly philanthropic. For instance, the majority of the heirs have donated Picasso’s works to museums. Several works have also been auctioned in order to support various charities. Recently, it was announced that Picasso’s studio in Paris would be transformed into a research and educational center of the arts. This project is headed by the Maya Picasso Foundation for Arts Education and you may find more information here: http://observer.com/2015/07/picassos-parisian-studio-becomes-a-monument-at-long-last/ Without a doubt, the heirs place their father’s legacy and career above personal conflicts. Their contributions will surely provide for the next generation of artists and scholars who will continue to expand our knowledge of the modern master. More on Pablo Picasso: Pablo Picasso and his Women, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years

Frank Stella: A Retrospective at the de Young Museum

ae3255 — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:14:06 +0000

Updates:

This is the last week to see Frank Stella: A Retrospective at the de Young Museum. The show has been highly lauded by critics.
The show at the de Young holds 50 works of art in a range of mediums from American artist, Frank Stella.

Frank Stella: A Retrospective will open at the de Young Museum in San Francisco on November 5, 2016 and will be on view until February 26, 2017. It will be an unprecedented look at Stella’s illustrious career. The de Young already holds an impressive collection of Frank Stella’s work. Currently, works from renowned Stella series such as Newfoundland Series, Black Series, V Series , Sinjerli Variation I and IIa are owned by the museum. For visitors who would like to experience Stella’s work prior to the retrospective, Lettre sur les aveugles II , 1974 is on view in Gallery 15 of the museum. This large-scale work is part of Stella’s Concentric Square series and is titled after an essay by French philosopher Denis Diderot. The essay of the same title describes advanced medical operations which allowed blind patients to regain their vision. The hypnotic quality of the work reflects his contemplation of vision and color. No doubt, the retrospective will open viewers’ understanding of this work, as well as Frank Stella's prints. [caption id="attachment_49495" align="aligncenter" width="396"] Frank Stella, Lettre sur les aveugles II , 1974[/caption] Other Museum Exhibitions: Joan Miro: A Force of Matter (La Forza della materia) Milan, Italy March 25- September 11, 2016

Suggested Stella artworks:

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Frank Stella and Moby Dick: A Whale of an Imagination

ae3255 — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 21:21:47 +0000

Stella Before Moby Dick

Frank Stella is well known for his minimalist style. In his early years as an artist, his austere Black Paintings transformed the way viewers experienced color, form and the environment. Yet, later in his career, Stella’ style drastically evolved into abstraction and three dimensional forms. Between the years 1985 and 1993, Stella produced a vast number of works inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. [caption id="attachment_49507" align="aligncenter" width="283"] Frank Stella working on a Black Painting[/caption] The works are included within series such as The Waves, The Waves II and Moby-Dick Domes. Stella’s fascination with the novel spans various mediums, from collage and print to aluminum sculpture. In total, there are 138 artworks, each corresponding to a chapter within Moby-Dick. Upon first glance, it is clear that these works are a departure from Stella’s beginnings. Often, geometric forms curve and swirl, layered in collage form. The colors are incredibly vibrant and add to the illusion of multiple dimensions.

Moby-Dick and Themes

However, to understand Stella’s works, it is imperative to understand the significance of the Moby-Dick. Melville’s novel details a nautical journey led by Ahab, a one-legged ship captain. Ahab’s main ambition is to kill Moby Dick, the whale who devoured his leg. As such, death, fate and ambition are central themes to the novel. At once, it is possible to imagine the drama that unfolds in this journey. For a more thorough plot analysis of the novel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby-Dick [caption id="attachment_49500" align="aligncenter" width="316"] Frank Stella's Moby Dick: Words and Shapes[/caption]

Stella’s Inspiration

Inspiration for the series is rooted both in respect for his predecessors and his admiration of the book. For instance, Stella has always held the abstract expressionists in high regard. Of these artists, Stella has said “they’re still the generation I admire. This is paying my debt, or not so much paying my debt as expressing my admiration for the abstract generation I grew up with and that I admired the most, and that I still admire (Jones)." Indeed, the swirling colors and abstract shapes of this series harken back to the recognizable style of the abstract expressionists such as Hans Hoffman and Franz Kline. [caption id="attachment_49504" align="alignleft" width="373"] Franz Kline, Mahoning, 1956, Whitney Museum of American Art Permanent Collection[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49505" align="alignleft" width="267"] Hans Hoffman, Chimera, 1959[/caption]

In Stella's Own Words

Additionally, the drama within the novel played a great part in his vision. In a recent interview, Stella explained “I think the Moby Dick series [1986-1997] is a kind of turning point. I was a little afraid, and probably still am a little, with Moby Dick, but the pictures [are] essentially curved surfaces. They started to really move, and the novel moves; you’re going around the world, it’s pretty wet, there are a lot of waves and motion (Pobric)." In this manner, Stella creates a visual narrative as powerful as its original textual form. Rather than create literal depictions of the chapters, Stella astounds viewers by envisioning the soul of the novel.

Stella and Moby Dick

The Waves Series

[caption id="attachment_49508" align="alignleft" width="229"] Title: Ahab’s Leg (From the Waves), 1989
Medium: Color Screenprint, Lithograph and Linoleum, with Hand Colouring and Collage on Saunders Wove Paper[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49510" align="alignleft" width="224"] Detailed Image of Ahab’s Leg (From the Waves), 1989[/caption]

The Waves II Series

[caption id="attachment_49511" align="alignleft" width="240"] Title: The Quarter Deck from The Waves II, 1985-1989 Medium: Color screenprint, lithograph and linocut with hand-coloring and collage on T.H. Saunders paper[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49512" align="alignleft" width="237"] Detailed Image of The Quarter Deck from The Waves II, 1985-1989[/caption]

The Moby Dick Domes

[caption id="attachment_49513" align="alignleft" width="246"] Title: The funeral (dome), from the Moby Dick domes, 1992
Medium: Relief-printed etching, aquatint and engraving in colors on TGL handmade paper[/caption] [caption id="attachment_49514" align="alignleft" width="245"] Detailed Image of The funeral (dome), from the Moby Dick domes, 1992[/caption]

Works Cited

Jones, Jonathan. "Father of Minimalism, Frank Stella, on Moby Dick." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 04 Apr. 2001. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
Pobric, Pac. "Frank Stella: A Romantic, after All." Frank Stella: A Romantic, after All. The Art Newspaper, Nov. 2015. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

Suggested Stella artworks:

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Joan Miró: The Force of Matter (La forza della materia) Opens in Milan

ae3255 — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 22:55:14 +0000

Introduction to Joan Miró: The Force of Matter (La forza della materia) A major Joan Miró exhibition has opened in Milan, Italy from March 25- September 11, 2016. The show is curated by the Fundació Joan Miró of Barcelona and will give an unparalleled access to the artist’s enigmatic and surreal oeuvre. The Milanese MUDEC museum which houses the exhibition will feature 100 paintings and sculptures made between the years 1931-1981. To guide visitors, the museum has organized the show chronologically into 4 sections. The Force of Matter - Exhibition Themes Miró is one of the most prominent figures of modern art. He is frequently linked to surrealism, oftentimes melding poetry and painting in his works. In his artistic process, Miro utilizes symbols and primary colors to construct his unique visual language. The primitive quality of his works eventually translates into Miro’s perception of material culture. It is precisely this quality which will be the focus of the show. As viewers walk through the exhibition, they can expect the color black to be dominant, a mark of Miro’s pictographic style. Other primary colors follow to form the syntax of Miro’s visual poetry. Aside from the paintings, the museum will also display a range of fascinating sculptures from the artist. The sculptures appear as bronze assemblages, such as Doll’s Head and Back (Tete et dos d’une poupee),1966. Though these works are lesser known, they nevertheless provide additional perspective into the artist’s creative range. Moreover, the inclusion of sculptures alongside paintings emphasizes the exhibition’s focus on materiality. Additionally, Joan Punyet Miro, the artist's grandson, says color, shape and material were the key "pillars" of Miro's art. He explained his grandfather understood the magic of color, "the magic of interpretation of dreams, and the magic of surrealistic poetry.” Color, dreams and poetry have dominated the majority of Miro’s artistic career. It is these three elements which will encompass the core of the exhibition. Visitors will have an immersive experience of surrealism and artistic poetry. To visit the Joan Miro: The Force of Matter: MUDEC Museo delle Culture via Tortona 56, CAP 20144 Milano CONTACT | ITA - ENG 02 54917 | info@mudec.it Other Museum Exhibitions: Frank Stella: A Retrospective at the de Young Museum, November 5, 2016 until February 26, 2017

Suggested Miro artworks:

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Andy Warhol:Portraits at the Crocker Museum March,13-June 19, 2016

ae3255 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 21:22:02 +0000

The Exhibition Premise

Glamour, drama and color are the most commonly used words in describing Andy Warhol’s works.Holding the title“Pope of Pop”, Warhol exposes our continued fascination with celebrity and popular culture. “Andy Warhol: Portraits” gives viewers a chance to experience Warhol’s pop iconography. The exhibition will be open from March 13, 2016 to June 19, 2016 at the Crocker Museum in Sacramento. It is the Crocker’s first and only Warhol show, with most of the collection on loan from The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. The show features 168 works of art, including silkscreen paintings, photographs and personal memorabilia from between the 1950s and the 1980s. As the name suggests, the exhibition centers around Warhol’s portraiture. Warhol’s Duchmapian and conceptual approach to art influences many artists today such as Jeff Koons, Jean Michel Basquiat and Ai Weiwei.

Warhol’s Famous Faces

Andy Warhol: Portraits will include self-portraits alongside those of Yves-Saint Laurent, Jane Fonda, Sylvester Stalone and Judy Garland. According to Diana L. Daniels, Crocker’s curator of contemporary art, “He grew up in an era that fostered this cult of personality,” and “Portraits used to be rare. They used to be something only the wealthy had. Then after the war, people’s faces were everywhere.” To be portrayed by Warhol was a sign of status, a tribute to what Warhol termed “15 minutes of fame”. However, the exhibition refrains from exclusively showing the posed images of wealth and fame. Alongside these portraits are also candid Polaroid portraits Warhol took from his studio, the Factory. In addition, there are moving portraits from media images, such as that of Jacqueline Kennedy before and after her husband’s assassination.

Exhibition Programs

The exhibition also includes an interactive feature titled Screen Test which lets visitors create their own Warhol portraits. On April 2^nd, 2016, the Cocker will also host Symposium: The Art of Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei. The talk will bring together the two major artists and allow further engagement with the works on display at the museum. Visit our Andy Warhol Biography Page Purchase your tickets to Andy Warhol: Portraits More information on Crocker Museum’s Screen Test View News Coverage by KCRA3 of the exhibition

Suggested Warhol Artworks from Our Gallery:

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Andy Warhol's First Studio Selling for $10 Million

ae3255 — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:46:04 +0000

Andy Warhol's First Studio Selling for $10 Million

Andy Warhol’s first studio in New York is up for sale through real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield for $9.975 million. The 5,000 square-foot studio located on 159 E. 87th St. used to be a firehouse which Warhol rented in 1962 for $100 a month. When Warhol first rented the studio, it lacked heating and running water. Nevertheless, the real estate firm is quick to diminish any concern of its functionality by marketing it as “a blank canvas to create boutique condominiums, mixed use rental, luxury townhouse, or community facility/medical use.” [caption id="attachment_50806" align="aligncenter" width="425"] Andy Warhol's first studio in New York City, now on sale for $10 million.[/caption]

The Studio's Legacy

For art lovers, this space holds a strong historical pull. It was in this studio in which Warhol created his “Disaster” series. This was also the studio which preceded the iterations of The Factory, a symbol of Warhol’s humbler beginnings. The 2 years Warhol spent in this studio also coincided with a major tragedy in American history. In 1963, after President Kennedy was assassinated, Warhol’s assistant told New York Magazine “I remember when Kennedy was shot, we went back to the firehouse and made a silk screen of Dracula biting a girl’s neck.” Much of Warhol’s nascent fascination with death, fame and repetition can be traced back to this period in his life. [caption id="attachment_50808" align="aligncenter" width="271"] Andy Warhol Green Disaster #2 , 1963, silkscreen painting[/caption] [caption id="attachment_50809" align="aligncenter" width="251"] Andy Warhol 16 Jackies, 1964, acrylic, enamel on canvas[/caption]

The Studio Currently

Currently, the studio is used for storage by art dealer Wildensten and Co. The original paper lease for the space, signed by Warhol, sold for $13,750 at Sotheby’s in 2013. We can only imagine estates associated with Warhol continue to soar in value. [caption id="attachment_50810" align="aligncenter" width="387"] Detailed image of Andy Warhol's fist lease agreement sold by Sothebys[/caption] View Our Warhol Works Here.

Sam Francis: A Rising Market

ae3255 — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 21:57:51 +0000

Sam Francis: A Rising Market

Updates:

Continuing to exceed expectation, Sam Francis Composition, 1954 sold for $2,172,500, outside of the 1 million to 1.5 million estimate, at Sotheby's New York on November 18th, 2016.
Sam Francis Summer No. 1, 1957 sold at Sotheby's for 11,842,000, on the upper side of the expected range.

Sam Francis (San Mateo, 1923- Santa Monica, 1994) is a Californian artist whose popularity continues to soar in the art market. His genre of painting and printmaking falls under abstract expressionism, a term which also applies to artists like Richard Diebenkorn, Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline. An important predecessor to the movement was surrealism, which stressed the importance of spontaneity and subconscious creation. True to the style, Francis’ works oftentimes feature splotches of vibrant color painted dramatically onto the canvas. Without prescribed boundaries and structure, the works are immediately recognizable for their exuberant appearance. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="471"] Sam Francis Middle Blue, 1957, Oil on canvas ($6.35m at Christie's)[/caption]

Auction Projections for May, 2016

[caption id="attachment_50830" align="aligncenter" width="375"] Sam Francis, Summer No 1 1957, Oil on Canvas (8-12m USD from Sotheby's)[/caption] This May, both Sotheby’s and Christie’s will offer striking Sam Francis works in a market that is gaining traction. Past auction records from both companies show in 2010, Francis’ “Middle Blue” earned $6.35 million at Christie’s. Years prior, Sotheby’s sold another Francis for $1.14 million. Next month, both auction houses will once more return their focus to Francis. Summer #1, 1957 is projected by Sotheby’s to earn between $8 and $12 million. Achieving or exceeding the high price would set a record amount for Sam Francis. Based on these predictions, we can see that the Sam Francis market has greatly strengthened and is projected to increase its presence in the foreseeable future. View our collection of beautiful Sam Francis prints and paintings.

Art New York May 3rd-May 8th, 2016

ae3255 — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:55:49 +0000

We are excited to welcome Spring with Art New York, a highly-anticipated art fair produced by Art Miami. In its second second year, Art New York will showcase artworks from more than 150 galleries from 50 countries, representing a total of 1,200 international artists. As one of New York City’s premier art events, the show is quickly becoming the height of New York's art and cultural season.The well curated fair will welcome art collectors, curators and cultural luminaries. The rich content of the show will impress seasoned and new art collectors alike. Masterworks Fine Art Gallery will be showcasing a curated selection of works from our wide range of Masters including Picasso, Miró, Francis, Lichtenstein, Hirst and Chagall. Many of these pieces will be featured for the first time. Please contact us if you would like complementary show passes. Show Dates and Hours: Tuesday, May 3: 2pm-5pm VIP PREVIEW Tuesday, May 3: 5pm-8pm Wednesday, May 4: 12pm-8pm Thursday, May 5: 12pm-8pm Friday, May 6: 12pm-8pm Saturday, May 7: 12pm-8pm Sunday, May 8: 12pm-6pm Location: Pier 94 12th Avenue at 55th Street New York, NY 10019 Visit our Facebook page to see live updates during the show!

Picasso on a Silver Platter

rodrigoubillus — Tue, 03 May 2016 19:41:17 +0000

June 23rd, 2016: Sotheby's Boundless: Contemporary Art Auction in Hong Kong

On June 23, 2016, Sotheby’s will mark the first time a complete set of Picasso silver plates have ever appeared at an auction. The auction will take place in Hong Kong, at the bi-annual Boundless: Contemporary Art Auction. The 24 plates will be offered as a single lot valued at $1.55-$2.33 million. The plates, alongside medallions, were created between 1956 and 1967 through creative collaborations between Picasso and François Hugo. The casting was completed by Victor and his son Pierre through private request. Each plate comes from an edition of 20, making them an exceptionally rare acquisition. Of this upcoming lot, Isaure de Viel Castel, Head of Boundless Sales says “we are privileged and honoured to be entrusted with the sale of this unique set of 24 Picasso silver plates at the Boundless Sale in Hong Kong. Having established itself as a cross-cultural platform offering Western and Asian art and design objects, Boundless is the perfect stage to present this lot of immense artistic importance. Extraordinarily precious in material and rare in quantity, Picasso’s 24 silver plates offered as a single lot provide an unprecedented acquisition opportunity for collectors from the region and beyond.”

The History Behind the Plates

Picasso worked from almost every medium, his ceramic works as varied as his works on canvas. Each silver plate was taken from a ceramic counterpart. Picasso was introduced to the ceramic medium in 1946 when he visited Vallauris. As with the ceramic plates, the subjects featured on each silver plate include portraits of Matisse, Jacqueline Roque. In addition, bulls, bullfighting and whimsical faces are also prominent. Each of the 24 plates is different, adding to the unique quality of this set. As a whole, the plates offer an intimate glimpse into Picasso’s personal life. Understanding their value, Picasso originally kept these creations secret, only authorizing a limited number to be created for sale in 1967. Nevertheless, in 1977, a solo exhibition titled Picasso – 19 silver platters based in London’s Lever Galleries and Paris’s Galerie Matignon brought these plates to the public eye. This exhibition propelled Picasso into international stardom and heightened the appreciation for his non-painting works. We can only imagine the return of Picasso’s silver plates on the market will have an equally noteworthy impact on Picasso’s legacy. Read more on Pablo Picasso: Pablo Picasso and his Women, Picasso's Artistic Style thru the Years The Man, The Myth, Picasso Picasso Breaks Another Art World Record See our collection of Picasso ceramics

Picasso Ceramics Markings and Stamps

rodrigoubillus — Tue, 10 May 2016 22:19:15 +0000

A Simple Guide to Picasso Ceramic Markings and Stamps

In 1946, Picasso first set foot into the Madoura Pottery studio, and later began a prolific partnership between himself and Georges and Suzanne Ramie, owners of the studio. He approached this ceramic medium with the same inventiveness and imagination he brought to his previous paintings and prints. This would result in the creation of more than 1,000 plates, vases and plaques etc. numbered from editions of 25 to editions of 500 and some unique pieces. Broadly speaking, Picasso used two methods to produce his ceramic editions:

1st: Directly replicating the shape and decoration of an original ceramic piece as closely as possible.

2nd: Engraving the original image into a dry mould which was then transferred to the new clay.

Each piece is certified and authenticated by the markings on the underside or the inside of any Picasso ceramic (also referred to as Picasso Madoura ceramics and Picasso pottery). The most common stamps and inscriptions read Madoura Plein Feu, Edition Picasso, Empreinte Originale de Picasso and Poinçon Original de Picasso. All of which indicate an authentic and limited edition.

Madoura Plein Feu

All Picasso ceramic works from the Madoura studio are engraved with the Madoura Plein Feu stamp. The stamp is a sign of authenticity and all works recognized by the studio are documented by Alain Ramié in the Picasso Catalogue of the Edited Ceramic Works 1947-1971.

Empreinte Originale de Picasso

Empreinte Originale de Picasso literally translates into “original print of Picasso”. This stamp appears on many of the Picasso ceramic pieces and signifies that Picasso created the work by transferring the original image onto new clay. This is the second method of creation from the aforementioned list.

Poinçon Original de Picasso

Picasso’s later ceramics (A.R. 613-633) will bear the Poinçon original de Picasso stamp. The Poinçon is made by stamping an original Picasso linoleum cut into the clay or terracotta. The last edition in this category was made in 1971. You can see an example from our collection here.

Picasso Ceramic Marking/Stamp - Edition Numbers

Edition numbers oftentimes accompany the stamps. As a general rule, a smaller edition, such as an edition of 25, will be more valuable than larger editions, such as an edition of 500. Moreover, the number within an edition indicates the relative age of a ceramic. Specifically, a work numbered 1/25 was created much earlier than a work numbered 25/25. Although the earlier edition numbers are considered more valuable, they are also more likely to be damaged due to aging.

Knowing and understanding the meaning of Picasso Ceramics markings and stamps is essential to the process of purchasing a Picasso ceramic. To learn more about what to keep in mind when purchasing, check out our guide to collecting Picasso ceramics.

MORE ON PABLO PICASSO: Check out our collection of Picasso Ceramics Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love Pablo Picasso Vollard Suite Etchings, A Closer Look at his iconic works Pablo Picasso and his Woman, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso and Cubism Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) Pablo Picasso’s Rose Period (1904-1906)

Suggested Picasso artworks:

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Our Guide to Collecting Picasso Ceramics

ae3255 — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:28:28 +0000

Collecting Picasso Ceramics Our Guide to Collecting Picasso Ceramics In 1947, shortly after the war, Picasso began collaborating with the Madoura studio in making his much loved ceramic works. He painted approximately 4,000 pieces in this period, most of which are in the private collection of friends and family. During this immensely productive period, the master designed 633 ceramic editions alongside a number of unique pieces. He relied on two techniques to create the edition ceramic works. In one, he would painstakingly replicate the original object by hand as closely as possible. His second technique was much less demanding, for this he created original images in dry clay molds and transferred the image onto fresh clay. Originally, collecting Picasso ceramic works was seen as gathering tourist souvenirs. Many critics were concerned by Picasso’ venturing into mass producing his artworks. Nevertheless, their initial hesitation bears no ill effect on the Picasso ceramic market today. Currently Picasso ceramics range from $2,000-$80,000, making them especially accessible to new buyers, with more rare and unique pieces ranging from $100,000 to over $1,000,000. In fact, Picasso ceramics (also called Picasso Madoura ceramics after the studio, or Picasso pottery) are a pretty safe bet in today’s art market. In 2015, a Sotheby’s sale dedicated to these ceramics raised $2.5 million in auction sales. The ceramics have also become increasingly popular in museum exhibitions. For instance, in 2013 the Art Institute of Chicago staged the exhibition Picasso and Chicago which included ceramics from collections around the city. Given the wide range of ceramics, aspiring and seasoned collectors must refer to the following guidelines in considering which works have the best value. 1. Examine the Stamps and Inscriptions Picasso ceramics features several stamps and markings on the underside. The most common stamps are ‘Madoura plein feu’ , ‘ Empreinte originale de Picasso’ and ‘Edition Picasso’. The stamps refer to the techniques the artist used in creating a certain piece. For instance, Empreinte Originale de Picasso signifies that Picasso created the work by transferring the original image onto a new piece of clay. The ‘Madoura plein feu’ stamp simply indicates that the ceramic was created within the Madoura studio and documented by the Ramiés. 2. Pay Attention to the Edition Number Edition Picasso ceramics are made in multiples of 25 to 500. The edition number can be found on the underside of the ceramic. Edition numbers reveal how early the piece was created. For instance, a work numbered 1/500 was created much earlier than another work numbered 500/500. In general, earlier numbers are considered to be more valuable. However, these earlier editions are also more likely to be damaged from aging. Keep in mind when collecting Picasso ceramics that the more limited the edition, the higher the value and price. 3. Inspect the Condition To assess the condition, it is important to know the date a ceramic was made. It is much more difficult to find an earlier work in perfect condition. Another thing to keep in mind is the production process. Picasso’s ceramics vary from glazed and partially glazed to unglazed. Be prepared to differentiate between damage and imperfections from the production. In many cases cracks and imperfections which form on the glaze may very well be part of the final work. 4. Consider the Subject Matter While the ceramic pieces maintain Picasso’s iconic style, subject matter is also important when choosing the right piece. Pieces which feature bulls, fish and Jacqueline Roque are more popular with collectors and therefore higher in price. Minotaurs, owls and birds are also quite popular. 5. Recognizing Personal Style Personal preference and style should be the main point of consideration. Prior to purchasing a ceramic, decide what motif or color best suits the room. Since the ceramics also vary in size and shape, consider that in the context of where it is likely to be displayed. Many collectors purchase more than one ceramic so it is good to develop an idea early on for a potential collection. Do you prefer variety over consistency? If so, purchase from different editions each time. If consistency is your goal, focus either by theme and imagery or by color. With the many designs to choose from, there is something to suit every taste. It can be daunting in the face of such a vast body of ceramic work to find what is right for you. If that is the case, consider the elements that you value most highly in a work of art. Is the place that the ceramic falls in the edition most important? Or are you a great lover of Greek mythology who prefers to focus on the content of the scene? Other things to focus on could be the techniques employed or the aesthetic appeal of colors used. Given the wide variety of Picasso ceramics in terms of form, genre, and price, we are sure there is something for everyone to enjoy when collecting Picasso ceramics. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO: Check out our collection of Picasso Ceramics Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Understanding Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates Collecting Pablo Picasso Plates Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love Pablo Picasso Vollard Suite Etchings, A Closer Look at his iconic works Pablo Picasso and his Woman, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso and Cubism Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) Pablo Picasso’s Rose Period (1904-1906) MORE ON CERAMICS Caring for Ceramic Works of Art

Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plates

SarahHoynes — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 19:37:08 +0000

Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plates

In the summer of 1946, Pablo Picasso met Georges and Suzanne Ramié, owners of the Madoura pottery studio in the small French town of Vallauris. Picasso was almost immediately enchanted with the medium, and quickly became prolific in the field of ceramic art, creating a wealth of Picasso ceramics (also called Picasso Madoura ceramics and Picasso pottery). One of the most common shapes for the artist was the round plate and many editions were made with this shape covering a vast range of subjects – mirroring Picasso’s oeuvre as a whole. Pablo Picasso ceramic plates come in two main sizes, the smaller having a diameter of 9 inches, and the larger a diameter of 16 inches. Due to the way that the clay contracts in the firing process, there is a margin on either side of these measurements. Picasso ceramic round plates feature scenes of mythology, faces, birds, and more. [caption id="attachment_69367" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Centaure (Centaur), 1956"[/caption] Bullfighting, a theme that is common in many different mediums of Picasso’s art, is particularly common on Picasso ceramics. The fight takes the center of the plate, and a boarder, usually abstracted, forms not only the ring of the bullfight, but also appears as a crowd. Picasso really worked with the medium, creating with the shape– not simply on it. [caption id="attachment_69368" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Picador et taureau (Picador and Bull), 1959"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_69366" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Picador, 1953"[/caption] Along with having many varied themes, the plates were also executed in different technical styles. Some plates are glazed: [caption id="attachment_69364" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Black Face" Service, Plate D, 1948 - Glazed[/caption] Others are unglazed or partially glazed: [caption id="attachment_69363" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Hibou Noir Perche (Perched Black Owl), 1957"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_69362" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Visage dans un carré (Face in a Square), 1956"[/caption] Many round plate Picasso ceramics are made in relief – a technique which requires a plaster mould with a negative image, which the clay is later impressed with. [caption id="attachment_69365" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso "Centaur, 1956"[/caption] Picasso Ceramics are an excellent display of Pablo Picasso’s mastery of all mediums, and the great variety which he produced ensures that everyone can find something to appreciate. To learn more about collecting Picasso ceramics visit our guide and a short discussion on stamps and markings. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO: Check out our collection of Picasso Ceramics Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates Understanding Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love Pablo Picasso Vollard Suite Etchings, A Closer Look at his iconic works Pablo Picasso and his Woman, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso and Cubism Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) Pablo Picasso’s Rose Period (1904-1906)

Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques

SarahHoynes — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:56:37 +0000

Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques

A few different narratives exist for how Pablo Picasso first became enthralled with the field of ceramic art. It is agreed that in the summer of 1946, Picasso and then lover Françoise Gilot were vacationing in the south of France in a small town called Vallauris. Picasso and Gilot attended the annual Vallauris ceramic fair and there met Georges and Suzanne Ramié. The Ramié’s were owners of the Madoura pottery studio and quickly became partners with Picasso in his ceramic works. Picasso ceramics, also referred to as Picasso Madoura ceramics and Picasso pottery, come in all forms – one of which is the plaque. Like Picasso's work on other ceramic forms, he experiments with all sorts of themes on the plaques, as well as conceptions of space. Picasso began creating wall plaques with more fervor in 1955 when, after splitting from Gilot, he moved to La Californie, a villa close to Vallauris. He had his own ceramic studio there, but continued to decorate pieces from the Madoura studio. [caption id="attachment_69465" align="aligncenter" width="376"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Visage aux cheveux bouclés (Curly Haired Face), 1968-1969[/caption] It was also around this time that Picasso met Jacqueline Roque, and became deeply enamored. She began to feature more and more on his pottery, including Picasso ceramic plaques. In the plaque below, the delicate profile of Jacqueline is defined by the brown on a contrasting ivory background. [caption id="attachment_69464" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Profil de Jacqueline (Jacqueline’s Profile), 1956[/caption] Picasso is well-known for his work with human faces, and this was a theme that he continued to explore on his Picasso Madoura ceramic plaques. Even on a new medium, Picasso’s unique work with facial features continued to shine. Picasso uses the entire canvas of the plaque to create a face, and certain portions continue off the plaque, giving an effect that is larger than the actual space of the plaque itself. [caption id="attachment_69466" align="aligncenter" width="358"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Tete d’Homme aux Cheveux Longs (Man’s Head with Long Hair), 1968 – 1969[/caption] Some of Picasso ceramic plaques are glazed, while others, such as the one featured below, are plain earthenware. Though perhaps simple looking compared to the more elaborately glazed pieces, the unique hand-made stamps that Picasso uses to delineate the facial features add a perfect flair of 'quintessential Picasso' that delights. [caption id="attachment_69463" align="aligncenter" width="343"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Visage au nez rond (Face with Round Nose), 1971[/caption] To learn more about collecting Picasso ceramics visit our guide and a short discussion on stamps and markings. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO: Check out our collection of Picasso Ceramics Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plates Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love Pablo Picasso Vollard Suite Etchings, A Closer Look at his iconic works Pablo Picasso and his Woman, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso and Cubism Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) Pablo Picasso’s Rose Period (1904-1906)

Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates

SarahHoynes — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 21:16:08 +0000

Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates

During his time in Vallauris, Pablo Picasso created a vast oeuvre of ceramic works with the help of Georges and Suzanne Ramié at the Madoura pottery studio. Picasso ceramics, also called Picasso Madoura ceramics and Picasso pottery, were created in all varieties of forms – a favorite of which is the oval plate. The Picasso ceramic oval plate has a thinner lip than the rectangular dishes and the edges are smooth all the way around. Like the round plates and the rectangular dishes, the lip of the oval plate is often used to hold abstracted decoration which acts as a border for the image. One reoccurring motif that Picasso utilizes on the oval plates is the ‘face in an oval.’ There are multiple examples of this, and though the main idea is the same in all of them, each is very unique. This similarity in form, but difference in decoration, could be a one basis on which to build a collection of Picasso ceramic oval plates. [caption id="attachment_69494" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates "Visage dans un ovale (Face in an Oval), 1955"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_69493" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates "Visage dans un ovale (Face in an Oval) 1955"[/caption] Another reoccurring theme that Picasso explores in his ceramic oval plates is that of the fish plate. Stylistically, this is a plate upon which a fish is drawn. In the example below, Picasso has used the contours of the plate to create the body of the fish. [caption id="attachment_69495" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plate "Fish, 1952"[/caption] Picasso’s art has always been inspired by ancient Greek mythology - it comes across easily in his interest with fauns as well as some of his more Grecian depictions of his lovers. In particular to ceramic works, the decorative scheme of black on terracotta colored clay mirrors ancient Greek black-figure pottery. Picasso also painted on pieces of broken ceramics, clearly inspired by the ancient pottery sherds excavated by archaeologists. Shown below on the top are sherds that Picasso created in 1950, and on the bottom right are sherds of Greek black-figure pottery. A Greek ‘fish plate’ is a round plate with a divot in the center which is thought to have held sauce. The plate is decorated with sea creatures, many of them fish, hence the name. The plate is also thought to have been used to serve fish. Picasso’s fish plates most notably include the decorative fish aspect. [caption id="attachment_69497" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates "White Ground Fish, 1952"[/caption] Picasso ceramic oval plates are an excellent representation of Picasso’s achievement as an artist. They exemplify his ingenuity in working with new and different mediums, as well as his curiosity into the cultures and arts of other peoples that have come before. Whether a collector is looking for a piece of great technical skill, aesthetic beauty, or one that has an art historical past, Picasso Ceramic oval plates are the right place to look. To learn more about collecting Picasso ceramics visit our guide and a short discussion on stamps and markings. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO: Check out our collection of Picasso Ceramics Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plates Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Understanding Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Understanding Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love Pablo Picasso Vollard Suite Etchings, A Closer Look at his iconic works Pablo Picasso and his Woman, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso and Cubism Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) Pablo Picasso’s Rose Period (1904-1906)

Understanding Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques

SarahHoynes — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 20:57:18 +0000

Understanding Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques

Pablo Picasso ventured head first into the ceramic medium in 1946 when, while he was vacationing with then-lover Françoise Gilot, he encountered the Madoura Pottery Studio. The pottery studio was run by Georges and Suzanne Ramié, a married couple who Picasso would have a long-lasting professional career with. Pablo Picasso Ceramics, also called Picasso Madoura ceramics and Picasso pottery, are widely renowned as a til now un-appreciated part of Picasso's magnificent body of work. Pablo Picasso Ceramics are a masterpiece of the medium, and contain all of the wonderful artistic elements that make Picasso a very successful and beloved artist. Picasso ceramic plaques are a particularly excellent style of ceramic that showcases brilliant technique and thematic choices.

Materials

Unlike the rest of his ceramic oeuvre, all of Pablo Picasso's ceramic plaques are made from earthenware. More specifically, most are made from red terracotta, but some of the convex wall plaques are made in white earthenware.

Technique

Most of Picasso's ceramic plates are made from original prints (O.P.), meaning that the image was engraved into a plaster mould, which fresh clay was then pressed into to get a positive impression of the image. The image to the left shows the three stages needed to create an OP image. In front is the engraved plaster (negative relief), in the top right is the fresh piece of clay, and the final product sits in the upper left.

A smaller number of the ceramic plaques are created from a linoleum cut that was meant to be transferred to paper. The engraved linocut was casted in plaster, which the clay was then impressed upon. An example of this will be discussed in more detail later. Some plaques are also made from a plaster cast made from a linoleum engraving - these could also be made specially for imprinting ceramics.

In seeking to understand Picasso ceramic plaques, the different decorative strategies employed must be discussed. Some of Picasso's plaques are decorated with glaze, or partial glaze, and others are engobe decoration. Engobe is a liquid clay mixture, which can have added coloring oxides, and stays very vibrant for the lifetime of the piece.

Appearance

The plaques come in 3 shapes:

Convex wall plaque which comes in a smaller (18.5 cm diameter) and larger (25 cm diameter) size. The imagery on these plaques is mostly figural. The figures themselves are very simple and linear, and curve around to fit the shape of the plaque. The plaques are made from white earthenware and use a color scheme of ivory and brown. Each impression is given three different treatments, leaving a final product of a plain version, and then two inverses in black and white.

The first is plain white earthenware with no added coloration.

[caption id="attachment_69597" align="aligncenter" width="274"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Dancers, 1956[/caption]

The second is engraving accentuated with oxidized paraffin and a glaze bath.

[caption id="attachment_69598" align="aligncenter" width="274"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Dancers, 1956[/caption]

The third is engraving accentuated with glaze and black patinated

[caption id="attachment_69596" align="aligncenter" width="246"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Dancers, 1956[/caption]

Plaques also come in square shapes ranging from 17 cm x 17 cm, to 21.5 cm x 21.5 cm, to the largest at 31 cm x 31 cm. Similar to the convex wall plaques above, the same mould is used to create multiple plaques that are differentiated by their coloring. Shown below are pieces titled Pablo Picasso Visage aux cheveux bouclés (Curly Haired Face), 1968-1969. Looking closely, they are started with the same imprint, but were decorated differently. The plaque on the left have black engobe, and the other two are partially glazed in a myriad of colors. Though the underlying structure is the same, it is remarkable how Picasso manages to make the three faces look so different - they even appear to be looking in different directions.

Most of these plaques are orientated with a straight edge as the 'top' of the image, with the exception of Lion's Head 1968-1968.

[caption id="attachment_69606" align="aligncenter" width="338"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Lion’s Head, 1968-1969[/caption]

The square plaques are decorated mostly with faces - some more stylized that others. Picasso explores both genders, as well as the un-gendered. Animals, such as owls, also make up the imagery on some of these plaques. Some of the plaques have decorative borders, but most have the face take up the entirety of the plaque. Cavalier and Horse, 1968-1969 shown on the left displays a decorative border around the riders. Wood-Owls Head, 1968-1969 also employs a decorative border. On the right, we see Face with Oblique Lines, 1968-1969, an example where the entire plaque is taken up by the face.

The final plaque shape is the rectangle. One collection, Little Sun 1968-1969 is 10 cm x 16.5 cm, and follows the same decorative pattern as the square plaques.

[caption id="attachment_69607" align="aligncenter" width="362"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Petit soleil (Little Sun), 1968-1969[/caption]

Picasso created another rectangular shape measuring 28 cm x 31.5 cm. This plaque remained unglazed and unpainted, so that its only coloring came from the red terracotta. This grouping of plaques is special in that they are all faces created by unique stamps that Picasso had used on a series of tiles. The result is a number of very abstracted faces.

[caption id="attachment_69463" align="aligncenter" width="343"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Visage au nez rond (Face with Round Nose), 1971[/caption]

Themes

The same themes and scenes that show up in Picasso's greater oeuvre also appear in his ceramic plaques. Most of the Picasso ceramic plaques are decorated with faces of women and men, some with more figurative scenes, and a handful containing animals and mythology - two subjects that feature prominently in other ceramic works.

Female Faces

Women were a favorite subject of Picasso's across his entire body of work, and it is not surprising that they feature amongst Picasso ceramic plaques as well. Most of the plaques detail obviously male faces, or ambiguous ones. One interesting note about the female faces is that they contain many of the formal elements as the male faces, such as the three lines on the chin in both plaques shown below. [caption id="attachment_69675" align="aligncenter" width="283"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Visage à la barbiche (Face with Goatee), 1968 – 1969[/caption] [caption id="attachment_69693" align="aligncenter" width="282"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque "Pomona" Woman's Face, 1968-1969[/caption]

The only real differentiating factor between these two plaques in determining gender is that the name of the female plaque includes the word 'woman'.

Male Faces

There are vary levels of reality and abstraction present in the male face plaques. Some of the more abstract plaques hearken back more directly to other periods in Picasso's artistic career, such as Cubist face, 1968-1969 shown below.

[caption id="attachment_69694" align="aligncenter" width="265"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Tête d’homme (Man’s Head), 1968-1969[/caption]

Figurative Scenes

Figurative scenes dominate the convex wall plaques, which with the exception of Profil de Jacqueline, 1956 all portray more than one figure. Most have a group doing some sort of activity, such as dancing, trampolining, or enjoying a day at the beach. These plaques have softer, smoother edges which Picasso takes advantage of as he works with the figures to fill out the plaque. He rounds their simple bodies to work with the space. [caption id="attachment_69670" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Divers, 1956[/caption] [caption id="attachment_69671" align="aligncenter" width="370"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Quatre Danseurs (Four Dancers), 1956[/caption]

Mythology and Animals

Like the rest of Picasso's great oeuvre, his ceramics deal in themes of mythology and animals as well, though to a lesser extent as it seems he liked the medium of plaques more for a study of faces. There are some stunning examples of Picasso's artistic interest in myth and beasts. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="289"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Neptune foncé, 1968[/caption]

Linoleum Cut Plaster Cast Plaques

In 1964 Picasso created a series of tiles that were made from engravings on linoleum. The engraving on linoleum was cast in plaster, and the clay was impressed onto the plaster cast, creating a negative relief image. The original linoleum cuts were originally intended to be printed on paper. The resulting tiles are a wonderful combination of two mediums, and an exemplary display of the way that Picasso experimented with and pushed mediums to their boundaries. [caption id="attachment_70935" align="aligncenter" width="312"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Femme au Cheveux Flous (Fluffy-haired Woman), 1964[/caption] [caption id="attachment_70936" align="aligncenter" width="306"] Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaque Petit Buste de Femme (Little Bust of Woman), 1964 [/caption] Picasso created amazing ceramic works on all shapes, but in particular his work on plaques is magnificent. To learn more about collecting Picasso ceramics visit our guide and a short discussion on stamps and markings. MORE ON PABLO PICASSO: Check out our collection of Picasso Ceramics Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plates Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plaques Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love Pablo Picasso Vollard Suite Etchings, A Closer Look at his iconic works Pablo Picasso and his Woman, Picasso’s artistic style thru the years Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso and Cubism Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901-1904) Pablo Picasso’s Rose Period (1904-1906)

Icons of Modern Art. The Shchukin Collection, Hermitage Museum – Pushkin Museum

SarahHoynes — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:30:28 +0000

Icons of Modern Art. The Shchukin Collection, Hermitage Museum – Pushkin Museum on exhibit at Foundation Louis Vuitton from October 20^th, 2016 – February 20^th, 2017. After almost 100 years, the great collection consisting mainly of French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists will be on display in France. The collection was created by Russian textile merchant Sergei Shchukin in the first few decades of the twentieth century. The total collection contains over 250 paintings including a whopping 50 Picasso’s, 28 Matisse’s, 13 Monet’s, 8 Cezanne’s, 4 Van Gogh’s, and 16 Gauguin’s from his Tahiti collection. Until 1917, the collection resided in Shchukin’s house in Moscow, on display for the public. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the collection was nationalized by Lenin. During much of the rule of Joseph Stalin, who considered the paintings to be “bourgeois and cosmopolitan,” the paintings were in storage. When the Nazi’s invaded Russian in 1941, the collection was sent to Siberia for safe keeping until the end of the war. Unfortunately, some of the paintings were damaged in transit. In 1948, Stalin divided the paintings between the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. A Picasso retrospective in 1956 at both museums began the process of restoring the appreciation of this type of art. Now, in 2016, the paintings are returning to France for a grand exhibition of some of the most famous painters in Art History. This exhibit has been under negotiations for a long time, and the Louis Vuitton Foundation has been building relationships with Russia for even longer. A reciprocal show has been promised for the future in Russia. References “His Life,” Collection Chtchoukine. Accessed October 19^th, 2016. http://www.morozov-shchukin.com/html/AhistoA.html Marlowe, Lara. “Loadsa Monet: The rich Russain who patroned Picasso, made Matisse,” The Irish Times. October 18^th, 2016. Accessed October 19^th, 2016. http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-and-design/loadsa-monet-the-rich-russian-who-patroned-picasso-made-matisse-1.2827132 Tarmy, James. “For the First Time in 100 Years, 130 Art Masterpieces Leave Russia,” Bloomberg. August 29^th, 2016. Accessed October 19, 2016. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-29/for-the-first-time-in-100-years-130-art-masterpieces-leave-russia “The Collections of Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov,” Guggenheim. Accessed October 19^th, 2016. https://www.guggenheim.org/arts-curriculum/topic/the-collections-of-shchukin-and-morozov “Treasures of modern art to be seen outside Russia for first time,” The Guardian. February 10^th, 2016. Accessed October 19, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/feb/10/treasures-modern-art-seen-outside-russia-first-time-sergei-shchukin

1966 Picasso Retrospective at the Grand Palais

SarahHoynes — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 20:57:56 +0000

On the eve of Pablo Picasso’s 85 birthday in 1966, a large retrospective Hommage à Picasso was put on at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. The show contained around 800 works, above and away the largest Picasso retrospective up until that time. The next closest was at the Tate in London, England and featured 289 paintings. The exhibit consisted of works donated from museums around the world, including Demoiselles d’Avignon from the New York Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), as well as pieces from Russia (then Soviet Union). Picasso donated around 700 pieces from his private collections of work ranging from paintings and drawings, to ceramics and over 200 sculptures. This was one of the first times that such a large collection of his sculpture was on display. Before this point, most of his sculptures remained in his possession, not shown to the outside world. The show spanned 60 years of artistic production – creating an amazing opportunity to see the range of Picasso’s periods as well as his myriad of different styles over the years. The motivation behind Hommage à Picasso was in part a celebration of the artists’ birthday and long artistic career, but was also motivated by French Cultural Affairs Minister André Malraux who was pushing a cultural renaissance in France at the time. The show garnered lots of attention – including a deluge of reviews and commentary that continued throughout the exhibition and well beyond. This was the final show before the renovation of the Grand Palais – an impressive send off. References Holloway, Memory. Making Time: Picasso’s Suite 347. New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2006. International Herald Tribune. “1966: Gigantic Picasso Show for Grand Palais,”The New York Times. October 18^th, 2016. Accessed October 19^th, 2016. http://iht-retrospective.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/10/18/1966-gigantic-picasso-show-for-paris-grand-palais/ “Picasso Sculpture,” Spain Arts and Culture. Accessed October 19, 2016. https://www.spainculture.us/city/new-york/picasso-sculpture/

MoMA Hung Matisse Gouache Upside Down for 47 Days

SarahHoynes — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 21:37:00 +0000

Oops! On October 18^th, 55 years ago, an exhibit “The Last Works of Henri Matisse” opened at the New York Museum of Modern Art. It consisted of large cut gouaches – including Matisse Le Bateau (The Boat). Le Bateau is an image of a boat and its reflection executed in very simple lines and shapes. For 47 days Le Bateau hung upside down in the gallery until a stockbroker by the name of Genevieve Habert came to visit. Up until this point, none of the torrent of visitors, critics, the curators nor the art dealing son of Matisse, Pierre, had noticed the mistake. Habert claimed that it didn’t make sense to her that Matisse would make the reflection of the boat more complex than the boat itself. After returning to the gallery a few more times, she confirmed her suspicions by buying the exhibit catalogue and doing a side by side comparison. Indeed the painting was oriented different in the catalogue. Pleased with her discovery, she told the nearest guard that the painting was upside down. He responded, “You don’t know what’s up and you don’t know what’s down and neither do we.” Slightly annoyed by the lack of response, she approached another guard who directed her towards the information desk. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday and the desk was closed. Habert, who felt she had to do something, contacted the New York Times who ran the story on December 5^th, 1961. The error had been corrected the day before, within two hours of the direction of exhibitions, Monroe Wheeler, being notified. He was rightfully embarrassed and called the incident “just carelessness.” Alicia Legg, an assistant curator, blamed the confusion on a label on the verso posted the wrong way, as well as screw holes which implied it had been hung upside down before. Upon closer inspection, there were also screw holes on the correct side of the frame. References Cascone, Sarah. “This Day in History: The Museum of Modern Art Hung a Matisse Upside Down and No One Noticed,” Artnet. October 18^th, 2016. Accessed October 19, 2016. https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/moma-hangs-matisse-upside-down-683900 “MOMA Hangs Matisse Painting Upside-Down,” History Channel. October 18^th, 2016. Accessed October 19, 2016. http://www.historychannel.com.au/this-day-in-history/moma-hangs-matisse-painting-upside-down/ Robertson, Nan. “Modern Museum is Started by Matisse Picture,” New York Times. December 5^th, 1961.

Happy Birthday Pablo Picasso!

SarahHoynes — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 21:47:37 +0000

Happy Birthday Pablo Picasso!

Yesterday, October 25^th, was the birthday of modern master Pablo Picasso, the man renowned as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Born in 1881, Picasso was surrounded by art from an early age. He would have been 135 years old. In his teens, his family moved from Málaga to Barcelona where he attended the School of Fine arts from 1896-97. Afterwards he moved to the Academy in Madrid. Picasso spent the next 70 years of his life voraciously creating art, moving from his Blue Period, to the Rose Period, and on to the his innovative Cubist work. From there he moved into Neo-Classicism and Surrealism. Picasso experimented with almost every medium imaginable, creating wondrous works on canvas, working with master print makers to create magical lithographs and linocuts, and even moved into the fields of sculpture, glass, and in particular ceramics with the help of the Ramié's. He created a vast oeuvre that today lives in many highly respected museums and private collections. After his death, the Musée Picasso was inaugurated in his honor, with collections donated by his heirs. Picasso lived a rich life, creating art until his death, having many lovers, and leaving behind his legacy with children and grandchildren. Read more about some of Picasso’s friends and family here on our Famous Figures in Art History page. View many of Picasso’s masterpieces on our Pablo Picasso page.

The Intersection of Fine Art and Luxury Real Estate

SarahHoynes — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 21:35:40 +0000

[caption id="attachment_77428" align="alignleft" width="265"] Curated flat at The Park Crescent, London.[/caption] Real estate and art have been linked for some time, but recently the two have been linked in new ways. Real estate agencies are now beginning to partner with art galleries to include fine art in the staging process. There are a few reasons why this is beneficial to both. The art adds a certain atmosphere to the home, and creating this atmosphere is essential in the successful sale of a property. In luxury real estate, the buyers are familiar with highly priced items – like the fine art on display. This element of wealth is something that people recognize, and helps to create an appealing space. The art pieces on display are not just for the benefit of the real estate agency, but also for the gallery. The works are on sale, and allows galleries to connect with clients with means. Even if the work does not sell during the showing, many galleries attest that they gain clients from this practice. The works are carefully chosen in collaboration with art galleries and interior designers, who choose pieces that work within the space, and also have some sort of narrative that will be attractive to buyers. The curation is key, and cannot be too obvious. The precise and smart placement of art around the properties makes buyers spend more time looking – a benefit to the realtors. In London earlier this year, the House of the Nobelman joined forces with Amazon Property at The Park Crescent. The ‘exhibition’ of sorts was set to overlap with the Frieze London art show in Regents Park. In the 6 flats for sale, Post-War and Contemporary artists were on display including Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Victor Vasarely and more. Though it was curated by The House of Nobleman, other galleries and private collections contributed works. [caption id="attachment_77426" align="alignright" width="327"] Mock-up of commissioned Anish Kapoor sculpture in TriBeCa.[/caption] This, however, is not the only meeting between fine art and real estate. Many cities like New York and Miami are booming with luxury developments. One way to increase interest in the properties and to stand out from the many other developments in progress is specially commissioned art by some of the biggest names in the business. Thierry Dreyfus, a light artist, was hired for a permanent 40-story LED installation in Manhattan. In other instances, it is sculpture, like the Anish Kapoor sculpture commissioned for the new Herzog & de Meuron development in TriBeCa. Other pieces by established artists like Jeff Koons sit in apartment lobby. The relationship between high priced real estate and fine art is clear; the buyers of one tend to be buyers of the other. References Battaglia, Andy. ‘Warhols and Other Fine Art Has Emerging Role in Luxury Real Estate,’ Mansion Global. Published October 26^th, 2016. Accessed October 27, 2016. http://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/43825-warhols-and-other-fine-art-has-emerging-role-in-luxury-real-estate Chen, Cathaleen. ‘LA stagers are using fine art from galleries for luxury listings,’ The Real Deal. Published April 25^th, 2016. Accessed October 27, 2016. http://therealdeal.com/la/2016/04/25/la-stagers-are-using-fine-art-from-galleries-for-luxury-listings/ Kennedy, Randy. ‘Real Estate for the 1 Percent, With Art for the Masses,’ The New York Times. Published July 7^th, 2016. Accessed October 27, 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/arts/design/real-estate-for-the-1-percent-with-art-for-the-masses.html?_r=0 Purcell, Victoria. ‘New Luxury Development Showcases Art Collection for Frieze Week,’ The Resident. Published October 3^rd, 2016. Accessed October 27, 2016. http://www.theresident.co.uk/homes-interiors/park-crescent-house-nobleman-launch-frieze-week-art-exhibition/ Satow, Julie. ‘Using Artists to Sell Condos in Miami and New York,’ The New York Times. Published June 13^th, 2014. Accessed October 27, 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/realestate/using-artists-to-sell-condos-in-miami-and-new-york.html Images courtesy of The New York Times.

What the "Young Girl with Serpent" by Rodin Teaches Us

ae3255 — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:52:15 +0000

[caption id="attachment_84109" align="alignright" width="188"] Rodin Young Girl with Serpent, 1886[/caption] Young Girl with Serpent (1886) by Auguste Rodin was stolen from a Beverly Hills home in 1991, in addition to over $1 million worth of property including an additional Rodin sculpture, The Eternal Spring . The case had gone unsolved for over 20 years until 2011, when the statue estimated to be worth around $100,000 was consigned to Christie’s London. An investigation was launched and the unnamed wife of the original owner was notified of the discovery. After four years of legal wrangling with the consignor, the negotiations have finally been completed and the statue has been returned. However after the long wait for answers and legal battle, the owner will now auction off Young Girl with Serpent themselves to offset the insurance costs. This brings up two interesting questions. The first is was the legal battle worth it? If the original owners had insurance on the work then their insurance company would have paid them the value of the piece after the robbery and they would have been ineligible to claim the work in a court. Or if they wanted to claim the artwork then they would have had to reimburse the insurance company for the original value claimed at the time of the initial loss. If they did not have insurance on the work then they were free to pursue, but given the legal fees and their lack of finance to now own such a piece, was the money and time spent regaining the property just to resell it really worth all that, well they thought so. However it also brings up the question of when is art no longer art? The battle over ownership was never about the sentimental value of the work or what it held to each owner, but rather the monetary gains. It was simply an object to sell to benefit them and their needs which is understandable as art is an investment, but the whole reason behind purchasing art is because it speaks to you. When purchasing art you should always feel a connection to it because you need to enjoy what you buy since the longer you own it, the more it will increase in value. I guess that is what is fascinating about the art world, is that an artwork can fluctuate between many labels from commodity to priceless to rare to stunning to ugly and can fall within them throughout its lifetime. But if there is a lesson to take away from all of this, it is to always insure your art, no matter how you may think of it. More Readings: https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/pablo-picassos-blue-period-1901-1904/ https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/pablo-picassos-rose-period-1904-1906/

Gerhard Richter: How Living Artists Impact Their Legacy

ae3255 — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 00:02:36 +0000

Gerhard Richter is an artist well known for his visual abstract style of painting. A sought after and highly public artist, he has been very involved in his own press, the representation and holdings of his artworks, and most notably the creation of his catalogue raisonné. A project that has been in the making for more than ten years, Richter’s raisonné spans his artistic career from 1976 to 1994 which is any collectors dream: having an artist work on his own catalogue thereby definitively authenticating the works in it. However collectors of Richter’s works find themselves in a continual nightmare. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="327"] Gerhard Richter, Industrial Landscape, 1962. Courtesy of Bassenge via Tagesspiegel.[/caption] Richter has rigorously been editing his oeuvre, routinely striking works from the catalogue that are created by him and most recently he no longer acknowledges works from his early West German period. He simply chooses to ignore a whole span of his artistic output, essentially disowning them as his own creations. This has not only sparked criticism, but also discussion. Should an artist be allowed to create their own artistic legacy by excluding artworks from their oeuvre? The catalogue raisonné not only acts as a reference for the artist’s accepted works, but also as a historical and academic document that future generations can use to fully understand and appreciate the artist. Is it fair for the artist edit their own history? What about the collectors who purchased the artworks that the artist no longer claims? If a work isn't included in a catalogue, the value will inevitably decrease, as there is no documentation to support the validity of the work over time. That is the problem with living artists. They want the ability to control their own market and legacy, which makes purchasing them more volatile than deceased ones such as Picasso and Chagall, as you always know where they stand and which works are accepted. If Picasso disowned his whole Blue Period and it was disregarded and not catalogued anywhere, where would art be? Where would his market be? There are considerations when altering art history and making such decisions should not be taken lightly. More Readings: https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/pablo-picassos-blue-period-1901-1904/ https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/pablo-picassos-rose-period-1904-1906/

LA Art Show 2017

SarahHoynes — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 20:39:14 +0000

Join us at the LA Art Show from Wednesday January 11^th to Sunday January 15^th. With fine art lectures, artist performances, an opening night premiere party, and various art exhibits including Masterwork’s, the show offers a full weekend of activities and exploration. The LA Art show is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center across the street from Staples Center. We will be showcasing a curated selection of works from the many modern and contemporary masters in our gallery including greats such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró all the way to the wonderful Sam Francis, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Damien Hirst. The show is sure to be a hit from the colorful romanticism of Chagall’s La flûte enchantée (The Magic Flute), 1967 to the abstract canvas of Sam Francis’s grand Untitled, 1983.More abstraction and surrealism comes to the table in Miró’s majestic works like the stunning Souris Rouge a La Mantilla (Red Mouse with Mantilla), 1975. Blocks of bold colors interspersed with portions of stark black make for a complex visual in Le Bagnard et sa Compagne, 1975. Linocuts, lithographs, and ceramics from Picasso’s substantial oeuvre join these works. Fabulous compositions like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (The Young Ladies of Avignon), 1955 sit alongside technically stunning works like Picador debout avec son cheval et une femme (Picador, Woman, and Horse), 1959 – both a feast for the eyes. Frank Stella makes a mark with his monumental work The Pacific, 1988, from The Waves I, 1985-1989. The LA Art Show is an annual fair that has been running for three decades in the heart of Los Angeles. The show was so successful in 2016 with almost 70,000 attendees that the showgroup has pushed even harder to make this year more innovative and exciting. Art fairs are becoming places of intersection for the many facets of the art world, including artists, galleries, curators and collectors, as well as casual appreciators. The LA Art Show strives to be a meeting place for these types of interactions. The creative energy and hard work of many people has come together to bring the public new performances and more. The LA Art Show endeavors to be on the cutting edge of contemporary and modern art, while upholding and promoting their values of integrity. Email Rod@masterworksfineart.com for complimentary passes

Palm Beach Modern Contemporary Art Fair

SarahHoynes — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 20:44:30 +0000

Join us at the Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary Art Fair from Thursday January 12^th to Sunday January 15^th. With an opening night premier party and a variety of international artists and exhibitors including Masterworks Fine Art Gallery, the Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary Art Fair offers a full weekend of activities and exploration. This year’s show will take place at the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Pavilion. Our many contemporary artists on display include Sam Franics, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and two exquisite ceramics by Fernand Leger. Wonderful colors but also innovative use of white space comes together in Sam Francis Untitled Watercolor, 1965. The monumental Lichtenstein Imperfeartct 44 3/4″x103″, 1988 always draws attention with its clean edges and sharp colors. Stretching all the way down a wall, the pieces captivates viewers. A fantastic work by Victor Vasarely is not to be missed. A highlight of the Masterwork’s booth is sure to be the Warhol Details from Renaissance Paintings (Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus, 1482) 1984. This stunning and beautiful set is comprised of four screenprints created with differing color schemes. Venus’s beauty shines through, enhanced by the artistic hand of Warhol. Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary is presented by Art Miami. The show will consist of over 60 galleries from around the world, from as far as London and Japan, to Canada and Venezuela. As art fairs erupt onto the scene, they become meeting places for galleries, artists, curators, and collectors of all sorts. Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary is a place of interaction for all these differing groups, and the art fair hopes to facilitate an environment that feels just as welcome for new collectors as it does for seasoned ones. The show is sure to be filled withe exciting and innovative art, a feast for the eyes and the mind. Email: Rod@masterworksfineart.com for complimentary passes.

Marc Chagall's Stained Glass Windows

SarahHoynes — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 22:19:44 +0000

Known for his exquisite palate and control of color in his graphic oeuvre, Marc Chagall's stained glass windows are no exception. This incredible talent permeates his later work with the stained glass medium as well. It was not until Chagall was in his 70’s that he began to create artwork of stained glass. The quality of the glass, along with the placement where light would shine through them, allowed him to exploit the properties of glass and get unimaginable coloration. This was only enhanced by the illumination of light. Many, but not all, of Chagall’s stained glass windows were commissioned by various churches and cathedrals – the religious nature of the building is reflected in biblical subject matter of the windows. Chagall worked in collaboration with Charles Marq at the Jacques Simon Workshop on many of his commissions both in France and internationally. It might come as a surprise to some that Chagall has created stained glass works all over the world. We shall begin in Europe. St. Stephen’s in Germany is the only German church that Chagall worked on commission for during his life. Chagall completed 6 windows in the east chancel and 3 windows in the transept. The commission was viewed as a sign of goodwill between the Jewish and Christian faiths. He collaborated on this project with Charles Marq, and finished the final window just before his death in 1985. [caption id="attachment_83074" align="aligncenter" width="212"] Chagall stained glass windows in St. Stephen's in Germany.[/caption] Chichester Cathedral in England is the site of another, smaller, commission. Walter Hussey, the Dean of Chichester, saw the Jerusalem windows on exhibition at the Louvre in 1960. Marveled by these works, he commissioned Chagall to make a window for the cathedral. Unlike the rich blue colors that mark much of Chagall’s glass, the primary color of this window was red. It mirrors the colors of the Benker Schirmer tapestry displayed close by. [caption id="attachment_83075" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chichester Cathedral, England shows Chagall's work on this stained glass window.[/caption] All Saints’ church in Tudeley has a numerous 12 windows by Chagall created in a blue color scheme. [caption id="attachment_83077" align="aligncenter" width="220"] Chagall's works shines through this stained glass window in All Saint's Church in Tudeley.[/caption] Saint Etienne in Metz, also referred to as the Metz Cathedral, has one window, created in 1963. The window depicts Adam and Eve and was damaged in 2008 when the cathedral was broken in to. The Reims Cathedral commissioned 6 lancet windows and 3 rose windows. This work, started in 1968 and completed in 1974, was done in collaboration with the Jacques Simon Workshop. The cost of the project was 47,000 euros and it was funded by donations from the Committee of Builders of Champagne-Adrenne. The Reims Cathedral, an excellent example of Gothic architecture, was constructed between 1211 and 1516. Stained glass windows were first installed in the medieval period, but since that time, many have been lost or damaged. This opened space for new stained glass windows – which is where Marc Chagall comes in. He took great care to honor the colors of the medieval windows, asking Charles Marq to replicate the colors. [caption id="attachment_83078" align="aligncenter" width="267"] Three stained glass windows for the axial chapel of the Reims Cathedral displaying the work of Marc Chagall.[/caption] Chagall also created a series of stained glass windows in the United States. One of the largest is the so-called “Peace Window” at the United Nations building in New York City. The window was made in memoriam of Dag Hammarskjøld, the Secretary-General of the UN who was killed in a plane crash in 1961. The glass contains symbols of peace and also musical notes referencing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a favorite of the deceased Hammarskjøld. [caption id="attachment_83079" align="aligncenter" width="400"] The Peace Window glows with Chagall's blue palette at the UN Headquarters in New York City.[/caption] Union Church in Pocantico Hills, New York was built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the 1920’s. His wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, was a great patron of the arts and this is reflected in the church. Not only was Chagall commissioned to create multiple memorial windows, but Henri Matisse created the rose window for the church – the last work he finished before his death. The “Good Samaritan” window was commissioned by David Rockefeller in 1963 to memorialize his father, John D. Rockefeller. Other windows in the church made by Chagall memorialize Michael Clark Rockefeller, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, Peggy Rockefeller, and Mary Rockefeller. [caption id="attachment_83080" align="aligncenter" width="267"] Chagall decorated one of the windows memorializing Rockefeller family members.[/caption] Perhaps one of the most fun anecdotes one might come across while researching Chagall’s stained glass windows, is that of the “America Windows” at the Art Institute of Chicago. Chagall was visiting Chicago in the early 1970’s while working on his mosaic The Four Seasons for the Chase Tower Plaza. He was inspired by the commitment to public art, and offered to make windows for the museum. Upon completion of the windows, it was decided that they would commemorate the 200^th birthday of the United States of America. The six panels “[celebrate] the country as a place of cultural and religious freedom, detailing the arts of music, painting, literature, theater, and dance.” For film buffs and other pop culture enthusiasts, these windows might ring a bell as those that Ferris Bueller and co. visited in the iconic movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). [caption id="attachment_83082" align="aligncenter" width="400"] America Windows at the Art Institute Chicago glow with the vibrant colors of one of their most beloved works by Marc Chagall.[/caption] To read more about Chagall’s famous Jerusalem Windows, read our article “Marc Chagall, Stained Glass Windows for Jerusalem Series.” Bibliography Art Institute Chicago. “Chagall’s America Windows.” Accessed January 26, 2017. http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/Chagall Historic Hudson Valley. “Union Church of Pocantico Hills.” Accessed January 26, 2017. http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/union-church-pocantico-hills Mainz. “St. Stephen’s – Chagall’s mysticism of blue light.’ Accessed January 26, 2017. https://www.mainz.de/en/worth-seeing/st-stephen-chagall-mysticism-of-blue-light.php Reims Cathedral. “The windows of Marc Chagall.” Accessed January 26, 2017. http://www.reims-cathedral.culture.fr/windows-chagall.html United Nations. “Chagall Window: United Nations Headquarters.” Accessed January 26, 2017. http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/dag/chagallwindow.htm

Spotlight Piece: Pablo Picasso The Old Guitarist, 1903 Blue Period

SarahHoynes — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 23:11:23 +0000

The Old Guitarist was created by Pablo Picasso in 1903 while he was living in Spain during what would be later referred to as his Blue Period. This period was hallmarked by almost universal use of a monochromatic blue palette, somber and dismal subjects and an overall impoverished tone. Picasso's Blue Period is said to have begun with the suicide of his friend Carlos Casagemas in 1901, but the timeline is not exact. Much has been written about The Old Guitarist, 1903 as it stands out as one of the most gut-wrenching portraits that Picasso has completed. [caption id="attachment_83094" align="alignleft" width="212"] Pablo Picasso The Old Guitarist, 1903. Art Institute Chicago.[/caption] The Old Guitarist, 1903 is painted with the typical monochromatic blue palette, with the notable exception of the guitar, which is rendered in a warmer, brown color. This difference in coloration makes it a focal point of the piece and has led to much theorizing. The wrought figure of the guitarist huddles and curls around his guitar, making him look cramped within the frame of the canvas. Shadows on his face and limbs make him appear gaunt, and starved. The guitar – the only point of warmth in the painting – carries the only sense of hopefulness to be found. Perhaps this guitarist can at least hold onto his form of art in a dark time. It has been said that Picasso saw himself in this guitarist, holding onto his painting during a dark time in his life. Other influences are noticeable in The Old Guitarist, 1903. El Greco, a Spanish Old Master, is known for his elongated limbs and uncomfortably angular bodies and faces. Picasso takes inspiration from El Greco with the body of his guitarist. Others have pointed out that the eyes of the guitarist are closed, perhaps implying that he was blind. The Symbolist Movement, occurring simultaneously, often used the symbology of a blind person who had inner, divine sight. Picasso may be appropriating and using that movement in his painting. References:

The Art Institute of Chicago. (2013). The Old Guitarist. Retrieved from: http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/Modern/artwork/28067
The Art Institute of Chicago. (2013). Glossary. Retrieved from: http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/Modern/glossary#symbol
Pablo Picasso. The Old Guitarist, 1903 by Pablo Picasso. Retrieved from: http://www.pablopicasso.org/old-guitarist.jsp

Pablo Picasso and Saltimbanques

SarahHoynes — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 00:31:51 +0000

Pablo Picasso and Saltimbanques

[caption id="attachment_83104" align="alignleft" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Family of Saltimbanques, 1905 National Gallery of Art.[/caption] After exiting his Blue Period, Pablo Picasso entered his Rose Period. A notable thematic change was the move to saltimbanques or harlequins – transient circus performers. He portrayed them in daily life, with their families, as opposed to performing. In many of the etchings and paintings, the characters are very still, which is at odds with their characterization as acrobats. Picasso felt a certain kinship with them as he “was transient during the first years in Paris while striving for recognition.” After he got his feet under him and moved into the Montmartre neighborhood, Picasso and friends would frequently attend the Cirque Medrano. His fascination with circus performers continued. Often the subject matter of these works felt very intimate and personal. Picasso himself identified with the persona of the harlequin, and would insert himself and his friends into his paintings and etchings. In Family of Saltimbanques, it is suggested that he is the harlequin on the right, and that the little girl is his deceased younger sister Conchita. The woman on the right has been said to be his lover at the time. Other etchings show a family consisting of a mother, father, and child. Some think that this was a private fantasy of Picasso’s where he is again the male harlequin with his lover and nonexistent child. He was also no doubt influenced by the work of his poet friend Apollinaire, who frequented the subject of saltimbanques in his own work. Picasso “dedicated a number of prints in the Saltimbanques series to Apollinaire with handwritten inscriptions,” leading to the assumption that the pair planned to jointly write and illustrate a book on the subject together. All these studies of saltimbanques culminated in Family of Saltimbanques, 1905, a monumental canvas measuring 7 x 7 1/2 feet. References National Gallery of Art. Family of Saltimbanques, 1905. Retrieved from: http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/highlights/highlight46665.html Wye, Deborah. A Picasso Portfolio: Prints from the Museum of Modern Art. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 2010.

Sale of Pablo Picasso's Mougins Estate

SarahHoynes — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 21:19:18 +0000

Pablo Picasso's Mougins estate in the south of France has been sold to financier Rayo Withanage, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Scepter Partners. The property, nicknamed L’Antre du Minotaure or ‘The Den of the Minotaur’ was the house in which Picasso lived with his last wife Jacqueline Roque from 1961 until the time of his death in 1973. Before Picasso and Roque, the house had a history of other famous visitors. When it was owned by the Guinness Family, Winston Churchill was a frequent visitor, often summering in Mougins. [caption id="attachment_83338" align="alignright" width="320"] Picasso and Jacqueline Roque at their Mougins home.[/caption] The house saw the final years of Picasso’s intense creativity, and also the thunderous love story between him and Jacqueline Roque. She was intensely supportive of his art – almost to a fault. To allow him the space needed to concentrate, the two secluded themselves in their Mougins house, not allowing much in the way of interaction with friends and family for the final 20 years of Picasso’s life. Picasso’s art did profit from this, and the time period proved to be artistically rich. After Picasso’s death in 1973, Roque grew depressed without her lover. She continued to dedicate herself to her late-husbands art, gifting much of his oeuvre to museums and arranging for exhibits. She also was compelled to struggle through the process of settling Picasso’s large estate across his disparate family. Sadly, Jacqueline took her own life in their Mougins home in 1986. According to the Press Release, Picasso’s home “will be commissioned for charitable purposes by local foundations and the promotion of the arts through events from which proceeds shall be donated to causes supporting sustainable development initiatives headquartered in Monaco.” References: “Picasso’s Estate Sold to Scepter Chairman Rayo Withanage.” Business Wire. 27^th January, 2017. Accessed 30^th January, 2017. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170127005359/en/Picasso-Estate-Sold-Scepter-Chairman-Rayo-Withanage Russell, John. “Jacqueline Picasso Dies; Artist’s Wife and Muse.” The New York Times. October 16^th, 1986. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/16/obituaries/jacqueline-picasso-dies-artist-s-wife-and-muse.html Stapley-Brown, Victoria. “Picasso’s final home in France sold to financier.” The Art Newspaper. 27^th January, 2017. Accessed 30^th January, 2017. http://theartnewspaper.com/news/picasso-s-final-home-in-france-sold-to-financier/ United Press International. “Picasso’s Widow, 60, Kills Herself at Chateau on Riviera, Police Say.” LA Times. October 16^th, 1986. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://articles.latimes.com/1986-10-16/news/mn-5636_1_jacqueline-roque

The Mobiles of Alexander Calder

SarahHoynes — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:03:02 +0000

[caption id="attachment_83347" align="alignleft" width="325"] Alexander Calder. Vertical Foliage, 1941. Sheet metal, wire, and paint. Calder Foundation, New York.[/caption] The Mobiles of Alexander Calder: The mobiles of Alexander Calder take a magnificent place in the history of Modern Art. What we now see hanging above the beds of toddlers, entrancing young children everywhere, started as an avant-garde art undertaking. Calder was raised by a sculptor father and painter mother. He attended school for Mechanical Engineering before finally becoming a full-time artist. Both his personal and educational backgrounds set him up for his foray into kinetic sculpture. Calder would often sculpt out of wire, a technique that many other artists have used on the way to finished sculptural product. Calder, on the other hand, used wire to create movement in his sculptures “which have a playful, mechanical sensibility akin to wind-up toys”. He even created a number of children’s toys that would move when pulled on one way or another. The next step on the way to his ‘mobiles’ was the Calder Cirque. Calder created a series of metal figures that would move around a circus tent. He performed the show for small groups of friends with his wife, Louisa. The Calder Cirque is now at the Whitney in New York City. The term ‘mobile’ was given by Marcel Duchamp. Calder on his mobiles in 1943: [caption id="attachment_83348" align="alignright" width="262"] Alexander Calder. Cascading Flowers, 1949. Sheet metal, wire, and paint. National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.[/caption] [quote]A mobile in motion leaves an invisible wake behind it, or rather, each element leaves an individual wake behind its individual self … In setting them in motion by a touch of the hand, consideration should be had for the direction in which the object is designed to move, and for the inertia of the mass involved. A slow gentle impulse, as though one were moving a barge, is almost infallible. In any case, gentle is the word.[/quote] Calder made mobiles that were driven by an electric motor which allowed for more precise motion and movement, instead of being at the mercy of the wind. About his non-motorized mobiles, Calder explained that difficulty that “all of them react to the wind, and are like a sailing vessel in that they react best to one kind of breeze.” Calder’s mobiles are spectacular for many reasons, one of which is that they are created to interact with the world around them – a type of art that Calder was one the forefront of exploring. The hanging mobiles are altered by air and touch, allowing for a dynamic expression in space. Calder also created standing mobiles, which were placed on the ground but still had interactive hanging components. [caption id="attachment_83349" align="alignleft" width="323"] Alexander Calder. Southern Cross [Maquette], 1963. Sheet metal, wire, and paint. Calder Foundation, New York.[/caption]References “Alexander Calder.” SF MoMA. Accessed January 30, 2017. https://www.sfmoma.org/artist/Alexander_Calder Calder, Alexander. ‘Mobiles’ in The Painter’s Object, ed. Myfanwy Evans, 62-67. London: Gerold Howe, 1937. Calder Foundation. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://www.calder.org/ Hall, James. “Magnificent mobiles: the art of Alexander Calder.” The Guardian. October 23^rd, 2015. Accessed January 30, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/oct/23/alexander-calder-sculpture-fine-balance Mitgang, Herbert. “Alexander Calder at 75: adventures of a free man.” Art News. December 19^th, 2015. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://www.artnews.com/2015/12/19/retrospective-calder-1973/ Pritchard, Claudia. “Alexander Calder: The mechanical engineer and his pioneering mobiles.” The Independent. November 1^st, 2015. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/alexander-calder-the-mechanical-engineer-and-his-pioneering-mobiles-a6715456.html

Windows of Jerusalem: Art - Ancient, Modern, Chagall?

SarahHoynes — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:49:16 +0000

Jerusalem has been back in the news with fervor lately, due to the new administration’s desire to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a cultural rich city, full of history, art, and artifacts from many different cultures. Not only does the city hold ancient art, but work from modern day artists as well. Marc Chagall, born in Vitebsk, Russia, spent much of his life working in Europe and America. As an artist, Chagall was deeply invested in colors. He strove to find the perfect hue and his works a sight to behold. Later in his life, he began working in glass. Glass was a wonderful way to create brilliant colors that simply were not possible in their vibrancy when on canvas. He was eventually commissioned to create stained glass windows in the Metz Cathedral in France. Before the windows were installed, they went on display in Paris. It was here that Dr. Mariam Freund and Joseph Neufeld from the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center saw the works on display and asked Chagall to create a series of windows for the synagogue in the medical center. Chagall quickly agreed and set to work on a series of 12 windows – large, at 11 feet high and 8 feet wide. For the commission he worked with Charles Marq, who worked at a Simon Marq Atelier in France. The pair would go on to collaborate on many other projects together. The 12 windows were to be the 12 Tribes of Israel – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Benjamin, and Joseph. The windows draw primarily on blue, red, yellow, and green colors schemes. Read more about the exquisite windows here. References: "The Chagall Windows." Hadassah Medical Center. http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/art-at-hadassah/chagall-windows Leymarie, Jean. Marc Chagall: The Jerusalem Windows. New York: Park Lane, 1988.

Picasso Rose Period Painting The Artist Subject of Lawsuit

SarahHoynes — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:32:11 +0000

[caption id="attachment_83436" align="alignleft" width="230"] Pablo Picasso The Artist, 1904-1905[/caption] Pablo Picasso Rose Period Painting :The Artist" Subject of Lawsuit The Metropolitan Museum was sued in 2011 by Laurel Zuckerman, great grand-niece of Paul Friedrich Leffmann, a German Jewish businessman. The lawsuit claims ownership over the Pablo Picasso Rose Period painting The Artist, 1904-1905. Zuckerman and her lawyers claim that The Artist was sold by the Leffmann’s under duress as they frantically sought to leave a more and more anti-Semitic Europe at the onslaught of World War II. Their research has shown that the piece was sold in 1938 for $12,000 to art dealers. The money was used to pay the couples way out of Italy, where they were living at the time having already fled Germany. The painting was then lent to the Museum of Modern Art in 1939, and sold in 1941 to Thelma Chrysler Foy, daughter of the auto giant. She gifted the piece to the Met in 1952. In a statement, the Met has disputed the claim, saying that they have “undisputable title” and that the painting was sold at market value and not under pressure from Nazi Germany. The Met backs up this claim with the fact that the painting was out of Germany before Hitler came to power. The Met has also stated that the Leffmann’s made no claims for this painting after the war, but made claims for other property that had been sold under duress. Throughout the lawsuit, the Met has claimed that they take issues of provenance very seriously, and have repatriated works in the past. Zuckerman and her lawyers state that the United States Government put institutions on alert for shady provenance during and after World War II, and that the Met did not take adequate care when acquiring The Artist, 1904-1905. References Smith, Jennifer. “Lawsuit Seeks Return of Picasso from Met.” The Wall Street Journal. September 30^th, 2016. Accessed January 31, 2017. https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawsuit-seeks-return-of-picasso-from-met-1475277046 Times of Israel Staff. “NY Met sued for return of $100 million Picasso sold by German Jew before WWII.” The Times of Israel. September 30^th, 2016. Accessed January 31, 2017. http://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-met-sued-for-return-of-picasso-piece-sold-by-german-jew-on-brink-of-wwii/

Pablo Picasso Linocuts: A Master of the Medium

SarahHoynes — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:21:23 +0000

Pablo Picasso was an innovator in every art form that he worked in, from painting, to ceramic, to printmaking. He frequently pushed the bounds of the possible, and made the medium his own. Picasso was talented in etching from the beginning of his artistic career. It was not until 1939, however, that Picasso tried at style of printmaking called linocut. Linocut, short for linoleum cut, is a technique of print making that utilizes a linoleum block. Similar in many ways to a woodcut, the artist would carve into the block, creating a relief of the image they hoped to print. What remains gets inked and printed. Unlike wood, linoleum is inexpensive and more pliable, meaning it takes much less effort to carve than wood. The soft material also allows for multiple methods of carving and holds up well for delicate details. After creating his first linocut in 1939, Picasso did not pick up the technique again until 1951. At this time he was spending much of his time in Vallauris. Occasionally, he would donate some of his time and skills to create a poster for an event in the town, such as a bullfight or a ceramics fair. A local printer, Arnéra, suggested that Picasso try linoleum as a cheap printmaking technique. After this, and for the next 10 years, Picasso immersed himself in linocuts. They still remain relatively rare in his oeuvre, encompassing only about 150 out of more than 2,000 prints, and are highly valued by collectors. [caption id="attachment_83599" align="alignleft" width="308"] Portrait of a Woman after Cranach the Younger 1958 Pablo Picasso 1881-1973 Bequeathed by Elly Kahnweiler 1991 to form part of the gift of Gustav and Elly Kahnweiler, accessioned 1994 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/P11368[/caption] One of Picasso’s most exciting linocuts is also one of his earliest linocuts that is not a poster. It shows his artistic process, and foreshadows his later innovation. Portrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach is a reimaging of the Lucas Cranach the Younger painting. It was made using 6 different blocks printed in black, red, green, yellow, brown, and blue. Etching all six blocks was time intensive and not a process that Picasso wanted to repeat. He wanted to use color in his works, and therefore needed to find a solution. Instead of using multiple blocks, Picasso decided he would use one block and continue to carve into it, while inking the resulting images along the way. This way, he would only end up carving one block, and it would reduce the amount of errors created by carving multiple blocks inexactly. Picasso controlled the medium to fit his artistic needs, and the resulting Picasso linocuts are magnificent. View our Picasso linocuts inventory. References:

McVinney, L. Donald, et al. Picasso Linoleum Cuts: The Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kramer Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: Random House, 1985.

Art and Immigration

SarahHoynes — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:29:13 +0000

UPDATES:

The 9th Circuit denied a request by the Trump administration to overturn the block of the immigration ban in the February 3rd.
On February 3rd, a Seattle judge blocked the immigration ban.
As of January 28th, a federal judge in Brooklyn granted a stay on the deportations of visa holders in the United States.

Donald Trump signed another executive order on Friday, January 27^th restricting travel and immigration from 7 Muslim-majority countries for the next 90 days – Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Libya, and Yemen. In additions, all refugee entry is disallowed for 120 days, and Syrian refugees are barred for an as of yet unspecified amount of time. There has been widespread outrage across the country and the world in response to such action. Protests erupted at airports, where those who had been in transit at the time of the executive action were being detained by customs officials. Since the 27^th, there has been much confusion about what the executive order means for people who live in the United States or are hoping to travel here in the near future. The arts community, too, has been touched by the wide-reaching implications of Trump’s Immigration Order. [caption id="attachment_85020" align="alignleft" width="400"] Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians[/caption] All across the country and the world, different institutions and artists are wondering what this ban means for them. A Contemporary Iranian Art show, Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians, is opening at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto on February 4^th. Shahpour Pouyan, one of the artists whose work is being showcased, is a green card holder living in the United States. He now feels that it is unwise to leave the country, as it is unclear what the rights of green card holders are with regards to reentering the United States. About this he says: “I am stuck here. I can't leave the country and as an artist it means I can't make shows and present my works internationally.” Such restrictions present serious problems for artists who count on traveling for work to make a living. Not to mention the very personal and emotional affront to those who have built lives in the United States and are now afraid to leave for fear that they will not be allowed to return home. Institutions affected by the ban could include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which worries that the ban will impede cultural exchange with the countries listed above. Museums run by placing [caption id="attachment_83534" align="alignright" width="364"] Protesters at New York's JFK Airport[/caption] items on loan to other museums around the world. This allows for the exchange and flow of culture on a large scale. Travel and immigration bans could make the exchange of cultural objects much more difficult, but it also stops artists and professionals from being able to do their jobs. Also on the line are archaeological expeditions and surveys that have been planned in conjunction with professionals in Iran and Iraq. A particularly important excavation at Nishapur in Iran is now in jeopardy. Curating exhibits with artists from the banned countries also poses a problem if they are not allowed to enter. But this is not just a problem for exhibitions, but also “for fellowships, exhibitions, conferences, research projects, and other professional reasons.” Art and immigration are closely intertwined, and artists and institutions everywhere benefit from the exchange of cultural information. References

Artnet News. “Art Schools React to Donald Trump’s Travel Ban.” January 31^st, 2017. Accessed February 1, 2017. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-institutions-executive-order-travel-ban-839057
Cornwell, Tim. “Art world reels from Trump’s immigration ban.” The Art Newspaper. February 1, 2017. Accessed February 1, 2017. http://theartnewspaper.com/news/art-world-feels-effects-of-trump-s-immigration-ban-/
Cornwall, Tim. “Exhibition offers antidote to Trump’s view of Iran.” The Art Newspaper. January 30, 2017. Accessed February 1, 2017. http://theartnewspaper.com/news/antidote-to-the-trump-view-of-iran/
Donadio, Rachel. “Visa Ban Leaves Artists in Limbo, and Institutions Perplexed.” The New York Times. January 29, 2017. Accessed February 1, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/29/movies/visa-ban-leaves-artists-in-limbo-and-institutions-perplexed.html?_r=0

Additional Reading:

Woodcut, Woodblock, and Wood Engraving, Defining the Medium favored by Albrecht Dürer and Katsushika Hokusai

curator — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:56:27 +0000

One of the oldest forms of printmaking, the woodcut , is still being applied today by artists who both embrace the tradition and seek to bring the ancient medium into the future. In this article, we will discuss the definition and developments within the medium. The woodcut is a technique of relief printing in which the artist cuts away from the surface of a polished block of wood. The areas that are not cut, the relief, will then be inked with either oil-based or water-based ink so that an impression can be transferred to wood or fabric when pressure is applied, either by hand with a barren or wooden spoon, or in a printing press. [caption id="attachment_83667" align="alignnone" width="428"] Albrecht Dürer, Deposition of Christ (The Large Passion), c. 1496-97[/caption] Woodcut print, woodblock print, and wood engraving print are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there can be some distinctions. The distinction between woodcut print and woodblock print is vague, and in some people define the terms the same way. Sometimes, we see “woodblock” to be used to describe East Asian relief prints printed from wood, and “woodcut” for the West’s relief prints printed from wood, however this is a preference that is not universally followed.

Woodcut print

[caption id="attachment_83652" align="alignnone" width="380"] An example of a woodcut: Jim Dine Woodcut Rancho Woodcut Heart from Masterworks Fine Art Gallery[/caption] Developed in Europe to illustrate books and manuscripts, European woodcut prints are most often printed with an oil-based ink applied in an even, thin layer with a roller. When defined this way, European woodcuts usually refer to images and usually contain very little text.

Woodblock print

[caption id="attachment_83657" align="alignnone" width="407"] Hundertwasser Island of Lost Desire, 1975 is an example of a Japanese woodblock print conceived by a European artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser[/caption] When interpreted as an East Asian application, woodblock prints can feature text, patterns, or images. The design would first be drawn on paper that would be transferred to another partially transparent paper. This thin, transparent paper would be pasted to the polished wooden block. The carver would cut around the design, and ink would be applied to the raised relief surface. A sheet of paper is laid across the inked wood block. Using a flat, round wooden pad called a baren, pressure is applied to the reverse of the sheet so that the ink transfer from the wood to the paper. In both Chinese and Japanese woodblock printing, water-based ink is used. However, the water-based ink and rice starch paste are mixed in and applied on the block in an even film. Damp paper is used so that the ink is deeply pressed into the paper. Chinese woodblock prints use water-based ink printed on dry paper.

Wood Engraving

[caption id="attachment_83648" align="alignnone" width="593"] An example of a wood engraving. Notice the fine details in this stunning artwork, Manet wood engraving Olympia[/caption] No matter what term is used, woodcut or woodblock prints are traditionally cut along the grain. Wood engraving is a technique developed in the 18th century in which the design is cut into the end grain of the wood block, instead of along the grain, on a harder wood than the typical woodcut. Wood engravings tend to have more detail and are often smaller. This is because the block that is cut in order to make a wood engraving could not be longer than the diameter of the tree trunk or limb, unless another block is assembled. A larger block size can be made by joining a number of smaller blocks together; these blocks must be the same thickness and density to achieve the desired appearance. By cutting into the engrain, the carver could use a burin in stead of a knife. The burin is a very thick tool that allowed the engraver to create detailed, delicate lines, such as cross-hatching. More Readings:

View our works:

Albretch Durer Woodcuts, Woodblocks or Wood Engravings

Picasso’s Flowers and Bouquets: Tracing His Ever-Evolving Style

SarahHoynes — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:26:18 +0000

Pablo Picasso Flowers and Bouquets: Pablo Picasso was a very prolific artist, creating an immense oeuvre in multiple mediums including graphic (with a large printed body), sculptural, ceramic, and some glasswork. Throughout his long artistic career, Picasso explored many diverse themes and much subject matter in his work. One of the artistic designs that we can trace throughout his career are depictions of flowers in his work. [caption id="attachment_84044" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Pablo Picasso Fleurs, 1901. Tate Modern, London[/caption] In the early days of his career Picasso was more prone to naturalism than in his later works. We see this representing in Fleurs, 1901 which now hangs in the Tate Modern, in London. A bountiful bouquet of flowers in classic still-life form rests as the central image of the canvas. It sits on the flat plane of a table and behind is a neutral blue wall against which the rich reds, oranges, and yellows pop. Each flower is rendered realistically with petals gently delineated. [caption id="attachment_84048" align="aligncenter" width="236"] Pablo Picasso Vase de fleurs, 1910[/caption] Picasso is credited with the development of the cubist style in the early 20^th century. As naturalistic as the previous work looked, only 9 years later Picasso’s still-life bouquet looks rather different. In this classically cubist work Vase de fleurs, 1910, the subject matter of flowers almost disappears. The tonal palate is full of browns, yellows, and grays, nothing like the more realistic palate of Fleurs, 1901. Through the angles, we can just make out some highly abstracted flowers, which blossom from a vague vase in the middle of the painting. [caption id="attachment_84045" align="aligncenter" width="236"] Pablo Picasso La femme-fleur (Françoise Gilot), 1946[/caption] Later, in 1946, we see yet another interpretation of Picasso’s flowers. This time, his lover, Françoise Gilot, has been depicted as the flower herself. She is in full bloom with full petals that double as hair, and drooping leaves. The message of fertility is strong here, with Gilot depicted having large breasts that double as petals. [caption id="attachment_84047" align="aligncenter" width="283"] Pablo Picasso Bouquet of Peace, 1958[/caption] [caption id="attachment_84049" align="alignright" width="194"] Pablo Picasso Bouquet (Bunch), 1955[/caption] As we go later still in Picasso’s career, another style of depicting flowers comes about. Bouquet of Peace depicts simplistically drawn yet brightly colored flowers as the centerpiece of the composition. The flowers all appear as a similar type, but what is more important is the feeling the flowers engage in the viewer with their bright, ray-like petals. [caption id="attachment_84046" align="alignleft" width="224"] Pablo Picasso Bouquet à la pomme (Bunch with Apple), 1956[/caption] Picasso also worked in the ceramic medium and depicted still-lives of flowers. Bouquet à la pomme (Bunch with Apple), 1956, shows three different types of flowers in a vase. They are all rendered in outlines without color, but Picasso has taken care to make each one distinct. This is similar to Bouquet (Bunch), 1955 where the flowers are all painted in the same colors, but are made distinct by their shapes. More Readings on Pablo Picasso:

Andy Warhol and his Screenprint

SarahHoynes — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 00:25:49 +0000

Andy Warhol, master pop artist of the 20^th century, is one of the first artists in modern times to legitimize the screenprint as a fine art technique. The screenprint has been around for centuries, but Warhol contributed to bringing the practice more into the mainstream in the 1960’s. Some purists were skeptical about screenprinting as an art form, due to the interference of a machine and the lack of direct contact between the artists and the medium. Andy Warhol exploited this separation, and sought it actively in his work. Screenprinting, also known as silkscreen, is a technique by which an image is created by placing a stencil upon the medium, and applying ink through the stencil. Many different materials can be used to record the print, including canvas, paper, and plexiglass. The name “silkscreen” comes from the fact that the screen used to be made of silk, but is now made of synthetic materials which hold up better to multiple printings. A substance is also used to block off portions of the screen , so that the paint is only applied in the correct places to create the final image. Screenprinting can be layered to achieve multiple colors, which we see in much of Andy Warhol’s works. When Warhol broke into the screenprint scene in 1962, he used his own drawings for the stencils – later, he primarily used photo-silkscreen, which used a template of a photograph as the stencil. This created a much cleaner image which Warhol found preferable. Warhol did publish many of his screenprints on his own, but also worked with a number of printmakers during his career. His longest lasting relationship was with Rupert Jasen Smith from 1977 until Warhol’s death in 1987. More Readings: https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/warhol-warhol-warhol/ https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/what-will-happen-to-warhol/ https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/andy-warhol-into-the-future/ References:

"Andy Warhol." The Art Story. Accessed February 6, 2017. http://www.theartstory.org/artist-warhol-andy.htm
Kamholz, Roger. "Andy Warhol and His Process." Sotheby's. November 10th, 2013. Accessed February 6, 2017. http://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/blogs/all-blogs/21-days-of-andy-warhol/2013/11/andy-warhol-and-his-process.html

Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso: Competitive Dialogue

SarahHoynes — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:44:57 +0000

[caption id="attachment_84117" align="alignleft" width="303"] Henri Matisse Le Bonheur de vivre[/caption] Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso were introduced in 1906 by Gertrude Stein. Thus began a long and artistically bountiful competitive dialogue between the two great artists. Though Matisse once said about the pair that they were “as different as the north pole is from the south pole,” their careers ran largely parallel partly due to the influences they exerted on the other. What may have began as a mentoring relationship, as Matisse was older and more established than Picasso, soon turned into a one-upping contest. Upon viewing Matisse’s Le Bonheur de vivre, Picasso was inspired to live up to that work, and ultimately to surpass it with his response in the form of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, a work that changed the [caption id="attachment_84120" align="alignright" width="191"] Pablo Picasso Les Demoiselles d'Avignon[/caption] course of modern art. However new and exciting this painting was, it was influenced in many ways by Matisse. It was Matisse who showed Picasso an African sculpture he had, perhaps sparking the idea for Picasso to model his women on African masks. During the years the Picasso was struggling with Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Matisse finished Blue Nude (Souvenir of Biskra), 1907. Though they approached art in seemingly very different way, with Matisse the father of Fauvism and Picasso of the very different style Cubism, they frequently looked to one another for valuable criticism and cherished their conversations. During his love affair with Marie-Therese, there is a significant amount of Matissean influence in the bolder, more fauvish colors and the voluptuous, flowing bodies. The painters had such a connection that upon the death of Matisse, Picasso felt that he had been bequeathed his odalisques, which he began to explore – as an ode to Matisse, but also as a collaboration with his ideas even after his death. [caption id="attachment_84119" align="alignleft" width="349"] Wall of Matisse cut-outs at the MoMA[/caption] Shortly before Matisse died, he began working with his cut outs. At the same time, Picasso picked up the idea of metal cut sculptures. The two artistic techniques are very clearly in dialogue with one another. John Golding, an art historian, in conversation with John Richardson explained the relationship by “saying that Matisse’s papiers découpés are painting aspiring to be sculpture and Picasso’s cut-metal pieces are sculpture aspiring to be painting.” In these ways, the two artists were inverses of one another, but more similar than they seemed. Such a relationship between the Matisse and Picasso no doubt pushed both to excel in their own work and to find an understanding and driving force in the other. [caption id="attachment_84118" align="alignright" width="179"] Picasso metal cut sculpture[/caption] References: • Richardson, John. “Between Matisse and Picasso.” Vanity Fair. • Schama, Simon. “How Matisse and Picasso turned old age into art.” Financial Times. April 4th, 2014. Accessed February 7, 2017. https://www.ft.com/content/59192b0c-b994-11e3-b74f-00144feabdc0 • Trachtman, Paul. “Matisse & Picasso.” Smithsonian. Febraury 2003. Accessed February 7, 2017. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/matisse-picasso-75440861/ • Weisberg, Jacob. “Matisse vs. Picasso.” Slate. Accessed February 7, 2017. http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/the_browser/1999/02/matisse_vs_picasso.html More Readings on Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso:

Lord Richard Attenborough's Picasso Ceramic Collection on Sale at Sotheby's

SarahHoynes — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 23:09:38 +0000

[caption id="attachment_84129" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Lord Attenborough's collection. Image courtesy of Sotheby's.[/caption] Sir Richard Attenborough and his family used to summer in the Côte d’Azur, in the South of France. It was on one of these vacations that he came across the Madoura Pottery Studio situated in the lovely town of Vallauris. Attenborough immediately fell in love with the playful and unique quality of Picasso’s ceramics that were on display there, and bought an ashtray for 30 franks. For 50 years the Attenborough’s continued to return to the Madoura Pottery to collect Picasso ceramics. Throughout this time, they built up a large collection of around 150 ceramics. One, in 1963, Sir Richard ran into Picasso at the Madoura studio and was reportedly star struck by the man remembering that “he was outrageously charming.” In 2007, Lord and Lady Attenborough donated a large portion of their collection to the Leicester City Museum and Art Gallery. There is now a permanent gallery dedicated to the ceramics with rotating curated exhibits. [caption id="attachment_84130" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Lord Attenborough's collection. Image courtesy of Sotheby's.[/caption] After the death of Lord Attenborough in 2014, his children eventually decided to auction off some of his massive art and ceramics collection. There was simply no room for it! The Sotheby’s sale in the fall of 2016 pulled in £2.84 million and all lots were sold. The above Picasso ceramic Azteque aux quatre visages was sold for £110,000. A stunning piece, Picasso created 4 faces on the surface of the work, rendered in beautiful blue with incised detail. The above Picasso ceramic Taureau pitcher sold for £125,000 at auction. This magnificent work is not only sharp, and cleanly beautiful, but the subject matter of the bull is a favorite of Picasso's and a theme that he explored in much of his greater oeuvre. Perhaps one of the most stunning pieces in Attenborough's collection, Grand vase aux femmes nues sold for a whopping £600,000. Looking at the vase, it is no wonder why it is coveted by so many. References:

The Art Newspaper. “All fired up: Attenborough’s Picasso ceramics sell out at Sotheby’s.” The Art Newspaper. November 23, 2016. Accessed February 7, 2017. http://theartnewspaper.com/news/in-the-frame/all-fired-up-attenborough-s-picasso-ceramics-sell-out-at-sotheby-s/
“Picasso Ceramics: Lord & Lady Attenborough’s Collection.” Sotheby’s. Accessed February 7, 2017. http://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/slideshows/2016/inside-lord-lady-attenboroughs-picasso-ceramics-collection.html#
Brown, Mark. “Richard Attenborough’s beloved Picasso ceramics to go on sale.” The Guardian. September 15, 2016. Accessed February 7, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/sep/15/richard-attenborough-pablo-picasso-ceramics-sale-auction
Chesters, Laura. “Top picks from the Attenborough’s Picasso ceramics sale at Sotheby’s.” Antiques Trade Gazette. November 23, 2016. Accessed February 7, 2017. https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2016/top-picks-from-the-attenborough-s-picasso-ceramics-sale-at-sotheby-s/
Furness, Hannah. “Lord Attenborough’s life’s collection of art for sale for £1m, after children ran out of space.” The Telegraph. November 7, 2016. Accessed February 7, 2017. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/07/lord-attenboroughs-lifes-collection-of-art-for-sale-for-1m-after/

MORE ON PABLO PICASSO Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Plates Collecting Pablo Picasso Ceramic Oval Plates Pablo Picasso’s Ceramic Plates: A Master of Form Pablo Picasso Ceramic Owls Pablo Picasso in Vallauris, a Place for Invention: Linocuts, Ceramics and Love View our Pablo Picasso inventory here: Pablo Picasso Inventory View our Pablo Picasso Ceramics inventory here: Pablo Picasso Ceramics Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education

Picasso, Braque, and the Development of the Cubist Style

SarahHoynes — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 00:17:17 +0000

[caption id="attachment_84148" align="alignright" width="330"] Georges Braque Hommage à J.S. Bach, c. 1950s[/caption] Cubism was developed relatively rapidly between 1907 and 1914 as a return to realism in painting. At first, it was a uniquely Parisian phenomenon, lasting until around 1912. The style was originally developed in conjunction by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. The pair was introduced in 1907 by Apollinaire, French poet, and they started working together almost daily. One of the central tenants of cubism was the move away from traditional ideas of perspective, and instead seeking to combine multiple perspectives into one image. This was done by breaking an object down into planes, and therefore the multiple perspectives would get across the idea of three-dimensionality without depicting any depth in the canvas. Another part of the cubist style was to highlight the two-dimensional nature of the canvas. Cubism got its name from critic Louis Vauxcelles, who in describing a Braque painting used the term “cubes” to talk about the geometric composition. Two types of cubism emerged – Analytic Cubism was the first from 1910-1912. This style of cubism was so highly abstracted and in such a monochrome palate (of browns and grays), that it became harder and harder to depict the subject than in earlier cubist works. In synthetic cubism, a step was taken away from the abstract with the creation of papiers collés which integrated pasted paper into the paintings. The paper often included newspaper clippings with words on them. Synthetic cubism also utilized a brighter palate. [caption id="attachment_84120" align="alignleft" width="238"] Pablo Picasso[/caption] Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is typically thought of as the start of the cubist style. The piece has some of the markers, including multiple perspectives which are particularly noticeable in the faces of the women. The women are facing frontally, but some of their noses have been depicted in profile, giving two perspectives on one face. References:

"Cubism." Tate. Accessed February 7, 2017. http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/c/cubism#introduction
Fry, Edward F. Cubism. Thames and Hudson Ltd: London, 1966.
Rewald, Sabine. "Cubism." The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed February 7, 2016. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cube/hd_cube.htm

Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show February 15 - 21 2017

SarahHoynes — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 21:03:01 +0000

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show has arrived! Join us from Thursday February 16^th – Tuesday February 21^st. From an opening night preview party to a weekend full of lectures on the most pressing topics in the art world such as “The Next Generation of Collecting” and “Collecting & Care of Fine Art,” The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show is an internationally renowned show. This year’s show will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. Our exclusive collection will include works by such greats as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Joan Miró. One fantastic work by Chagall, Untitled Study, features bright and colorful hand colored watercolor and crayon, and also depicts Chagall’s famous lovers in the background. La Parade (The Parade), 1980 showcases Chagall's special figural style, along with his brilliant usage of color. Both pieces are exemplary of the artists oeuvre. A special addition to the show is a work by Renoir, Les Baigneuses au crabe, I (Bathers Playing with a Crab, I), c.1897-1900. A delicate and ethereal image, this work is sure to be a delight to all. A highlight of the Masterwork’s booth is always the Leger ceramics, which are crafted with playfulness to create dynamic works of art. Les Acrobates (The Acrobats), 1955 is a tangle of figures with a brilliant orange background. The bold color and rendering of the figures captivates the eye and the mind. The Palm Beach Art, Antique & Jewelry Show is presented by the Palm Beach Show Group. Hosting shows across the country from New York to Los Angeles, and Baltimore to Miami, the Palm Beach Show Group always pleases with a thoughtful selection of galleries and jewelers and an excellent lecture series. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a novice appreciator of art, the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique show has something for you. Please email rod@masterworksfineart.com for complementary passes. Our next Art Fair: NYC Art on Paper Premier Art Fair March 2nd – 5th

Art and Medicine: Teaching about illness through art

ae3255 — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 23:21:09 +0000

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA has been working in conjunction with guest artist Ted Meyer for the past five years to educate doctors about illness through art. Meyer curates artist talks and exhibitions that are designed for first and second year medical students, most of whom have not yet had an opportunity to work with patients in person. Helping to give doctors a more human understanding of living with aliments, artists speak about their condition, their artworks, and the relationship between the two. [caption id="attachment_85260" align="alignright" width="257"] Ted Meyer, "Structural Abnormalities” Series. 1992-2004. Oil on Canvas. Copyright Ted Meyer[/caption] Although Meyer began his relationship with the medical school in 2010, his connection with the idea goes back to his birth when he was diagnosed with Gaucher’s disease, a disorder in which fatty substances accumulate in cells and organs. Some effects include bruising, fatigue, anemia and skeletal disorders, which led to Meyer being in and out of hospitals a majority of his life. This in turn pushed him towards art as a means of expression, release and inner healing. A new treatment allowed for Meyer’s symptoms to disappear and in the process he found himself loosing his artistic direction. He began to invite others to share their artwork of healing and trauma as a way to share their personal story and this pushed him to pursue the UCLA partnership: "It became very apparent to me that all these people who do work about their illnesses, really have a lot to say," Meyer said. "Maybe they could teach something to medical professionals. There has been art therapy designed to help patients, but I thought maybe there is something to teach the doctors here. Perhaps they can look at patients' artworks and see something beyond the clinical. It's not just 'oh, they have multiple sclerosis' or 'it's a broken neck.' In a way, it's like art therapy for doctors." [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="199"] Damienne Merlina, "Bandaid"[/caption] The Center for Educational Development and Research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA sponsors a rotating series of shows in the Learning Resource Center curated by Ted Meyer. The current show is NubRising with works by Damienne Merlina that is on display until June 30 which focuses on one's relationship and experience with one's self. More Readings: https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/icons-of-modern-art-the-shchukin-collection-hermitage-museum-pushkin-museum/ https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/art-and-immigration/ https://www.masterworksfineart.com/blog/how-living-artists-impact-their-legacy/

Alexander Calder: Inspiring his Descendants

ae3255 — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 23:40:05 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="196"] Alexander Calder[/caption]

Alexander Calder: Inspiring his Descendants

Alexander Calder redefined art by introducing mobiles into the world and constantly explored different mediums and methods as a way to express his ideas. Now his great-grandson is following in his footsteps in an interesting way. Gryphon Rower-Upjohn is organizing an exhibition of work that melds sculpture, performance and sound in the desert town of Marfa, Texas. The show is due to present work by artists including Calder, Beatrice Gibson, Lucky Dragons and Haroon Mirza. Located on the western boarder of Texas, Marfa is a small town founded in the 1880's. Its reputation today is as a center of minimalist art. Contemporary artists create exhibitions and live and work in Marfa, creating an exciting and well-worth seeing atmosphere and city. On the outskirts of the desert town, Haroon Mirza plans to install a stone circle that uses solar power to play electronic music. A musician himself, Rower-Upjohn was inspired to do the show at Ballroom Marfa after researching Calder’s own experiments with sound and music. Titled Strange Attractor, the show will be running from March 10th, 2017 - August 6th, 2017. The featured artists include: Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Thomas Ashcraft, Robert Buck, Alexander Calder, Beatrice Gibson, Phillipa Horan, Channa Horwitz, Lucky Dragons, Haroon Mirza, and Douglas Ross. Particularly of interest, a never before seen mobile by Alexander Calder will be on display. Clangors, 1942 is a soung-making, hanging mobile. The show includes many auditory excitements, including large tuning forks that will broadcast "their tones throughout the town of Marfa on overlapping radio frequencies in a continuously evolving sonic sculpture." Read more about Strange Attractor and Ballroom Marfa, a non-profit organization and contemporary art space located and in Marfa that hosts exhibitions and provides support to artists and curators: https://ballroommarfa.org/archive/event/strange-attractor/#event-acknowledgements View our Alexander Calder inventory.

Calder Mobiles in the Spotlight

ae3255 — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:33:32 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="147"] Alexander Calder[/caption] A stunning show of Alexander Calder's mobile works currently on display at the Dominique Lévy Gallery has the art world talking, as it is intimate and encompassing. A small retrospective, the exhibition is a selection of nearly 50 small Calder mobiles and stabiles, a few less than two inches tall, that the American sculptor executed between the mid-1930s to around 1970. Organized in collaboration with the Calder Foundation, the exhibition is titled, Multum in Parvo, which translates loosely to “much in little.” A certainly appropriate title as the art speaks volumes in such little complex form. The show which is dedicated to Calder's small mobiles, is presented in such a way that all the intricacies of the mobiles come to light. Architect Santiago Calatrava created mirrored stands for all of the mobiles that allow for a more holistic viewing of the works. Some of the mobiles and stabiles in the exhibition are small scale models for a larger work of art. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="232"] Alexander Calder mobile, "Maripose", 1960 30 x 67 in. Courtesy of Bonhams[/caption] Calder was the originator of the mobile, which is a type of kinetic sculpture made with delicately balanced or suspended components that move in response to motor power or air currents. In contrast, Calder’s stationary sculptures are called stabiles. However in each work, the fluidly between aspects of abstraction and nature is present, summoning the skills of an engineer, a painter, a sculptor and a jewelry maker. The three-dimensional pieces have become some of the most sought after works in his oeuvre, and an art form that he is very well-known and respected for, Read more about Alexander Calder below:

View Masterworks Fine Art's Alexander Calder prints for sale.

"Man Ray: Human Equations" Exhibition

ae3255 — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:22:16 +0000

Man Ray: Human Equations is an exhibition currently on display at Copenhagen's NY Carlsberg Glyptotek Gallery until September 20^th, 2015. What makes it stand out is it's exploration of art and science that intersected at the beginning of the 20th century and defined a significant component of modern art and in particular the role Man Ray played in shaping it. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="194"] Man Ray, "Shakespearean Equation: Twelfth Night", 1948, Oil on Canvas[/caption] Man Ray was fascinated by art and science throughout his career. The pinnacle of which he believed to be was the Shakespearean Equations that he created in the late 1940s in which he drew on photographs of 19th-century mathematical models he made in the 1930s. The series took more than 15 years of exploration, and all of them are on display in this fascinating exhibition. The exhibit will compare and contrast the models, the photographs Man Ray took of his models, and the resulting paintings in a side by side display. The curation and allowance for greater context within Man Rays body of work should be illuminating to visitors. The exhibition’s diverse works—including 70 photographs, 25 paintings, eight assemblages or modified “readymades” by Man Ray and 25 original mathematical models—juxtapose the artist’s Surrealist-inspired photographs of mathematical models and the associated Shakespearean Equations within the larger context of the role of the object in the artist’s work. The artist’s work is considered highly collectible with some of it selling at auction for over half a million dollars, so it is nice to see his work once more getting the recognition it deserves. View our Man Ray inventory here: Man Ray inventory Please visit our Art Education page here: Masterworks Fine Art Gallery Art Education See more upcoming exhibitions:

Another Stolen Picasso Returned

ae3255 — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 01:05:17 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="278"] Pablo Picasso, La Coiffeuse (The Hairdresser), 1911. Oil on Canvas[/caption] La Coiffeuse (1911) by Pablo Picasso from his cubist period was stolen from the archives of Paris's Centre Georges Pompidou Museum back in 2001. It was listed on Interpol’s Stolen Art Database and thought lost until December 2014, when it was seized by American customs agents in Newark, New Jersey. The painting was discovered in a parcel sent from Belgium to Queens, New York, labeled as “art craft." The package was shipped as a $37 Christmas gift, addressed to a climate-controlled warehouse, raising suspicions among the customs officials who opened it and discovered the $15 million painting inside. The artwork was turned over to the French government this past week, and will need some restoration work before being put public display in Paris. The last time the painting was on display was in 1998 in Munich, after which it was returned to storage in the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The painting was thought to be safely in storage until it was requested for loan in 2001, and was unable to be found. As of the time this article was written, there has been no further information released about the whereabouts of the painting after it was stolen, or who the perpetrators are. The investigation remains open and ongoing. References:

Clifford, Stephanie. "Stolen Picasso Work Is Seized in Newark," The New York Times. February 26th, 2015.

READ MORE ON PABLO PICASSO:

Picasso Seized on Yacht

ae3255 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 19:41:19 +0000

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="299"] Pablo Picasso Head of a Young Woman, 1906[/caption] Pablo Picasso Head of a Young Woman, 1906 was seized from Spanish banker’s Jaime Botín yacht off the island of Corsica this past week. The Spanish culture ministry had been blocking Botín's efforts to export the work since 2012, on the grounds that there was "no similar work on Spanish territory" from that period of the artist's life. National heritage expert José Castillo says about Spanish law that "if the artwork is more than 100 years old and has national cultural significance, the owner needs to apply for permission to take it abroad or sell it." Botín contests the validity of Spain’s claims with his lawyers arguing: As Picasso painted the work when he was abroad and Botín bought the work in London in 1977 with it never residing in Spain as the ship bears a British flag, the work is on foreign territory subject to British regulations despite being currently docked in Spain therefore Spain has no claim. However Botín sought a Spanish export permit for the work, making those claims groundless. In May, the Spanish courts sided with the ministry, issuing an export ban on the portrait due to its "cultural interest." The seizure occurred as Botín attempted to smuggle the portrait to Switzerland on the yacht. The work, worth $28.7 million, will currently be housed in a warehouse at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid until it’s legality its straightened out. The incident has raised questions amongst yacht gallery owners - what could happen to their own art? The most important safeguard, Helen Robertson a former yacht crew member says, is to make sure that all the proper documentation is on hand and easily accessible by crew members who may be the first point of contact for any customs agents. References:

"A Picasso, A Yacht And A Dollop Of International Intrigue." NPR. August 11th, 2015. http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/08/11/431659287/a-picasso-a-yacht-and-a-dollop-of-international-intrigue
Gormon, Don Hoyt. "Picasso seizure highlights headaches for art lovers at sea." The Financial Times. September 27th, 2016. https://www.ft.com/content/613cffae-6a07-11e6-a0b1-d87a9fea034f
Willsher, Kim. "€25m Picasso and superyacht collide with Spanish export ban." The Guardian. August 4th, 2015. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/picasso-superyacht-spain-export-ban-customs

Art Wynwood International Contemporary Art Fair - February 16-20, 2017

SarahHoynes — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 21:09:45 +0000

Art Wynwood International Contemporary Art Fair is finally here! Joins us from Thursday February 16^th – Monday February 21^{st, 2017}. Beginning with an opening night VIP Preview, the show continues over President’s Day Weekend for a weekend full of wonderful galleries, performance art, and lectures. This year’s show will take place in the Art Wynwood Pavilion in Midtown Miami|Wynwood. Our exclusive collection includes a large selection of works by Sam Francis and Pablo Picasso, with additional works by Yaacov Agam and Andy Warhol. A monumental work by Francis, Untitle, 1983 stands tall and cannot help but draw the eye of the viewer. Brilliant strokes of red carve across the top and bottom of the work, flanked by equally bright yellow and pink. A cooler and more minimalist work by Francis, Acrylic Untitled, 1966 leaves his signature white space in the center of the work with color dancing around the edges. Andy Warhol Kiku (Chrysanthemum), 1983 is sure to make a lasting impression. The delicate flowers overflow with a range of colors, from deep red to opalescent white. The flowers shine out of the image like little jewels. Also on display will be a selection of our Picasso ceramics, including two circular plates, two ovular plates, and two ceramic plaques. Art Wynwood is presented by Art Miami. Art Miami hosts a number of exemplary art fairs across the country from San Francisco, to New York, to Miami. The contemporary fair is entering its sixth year this President's Day Weekend. An international affair, this show draws art lovers and connoisseurs from around the world. Located in the bustling art district of Wynwood in Miami, the fair is complemented by local galleries and street art making for an immersive art experience. Visitors should expect an excellent selection of international galleries, as well as special performances and lectures with art world specialists. Please contact rod@masterworksfineart.com for complementary tickets. Our next Art Fair: NYC Art on Paper Premier Art Fair March 2nd – 5th

NYC Art on Paper Premier Art Fair March 2nd - 5th

SarahHoynes — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 22:07:42 +0000

Join our gallery at the Premier Art show in NYC this week; Art on Paper NYC from March 2^nd – 5^th. Starting with an opening preview on the 2^nd and continuing throughout the weekend, Art on Paper brings together an international collection of galleries showcasing works that are unified by their paper medium. This year’s show will take place at Pier 36 in New York City. Masterworks will be bringing a specially curated selection of some of our favorite works by Chagall, Sam Francis, Leger, Matisse, Picasso and more. A bold new addition to our collection, Joan Miró The Egyptian, 1977 is a wonderful work using bold black shapes and playful bursts of color to depict the head of a person and an inquisitive owl. Two different but equally distinctive Matisse works will be on display. Odalisque au coffret rouge (Odalisque in Red Box), 1952 which highlights Matisse’s work with odalisques and the female form. Petit Interieur Bleu (Little Blue Interior), 1952 is saturated with Matisse’s distinct fauve coloration, making for a bright and exciting work. Also on show are some of our works by Pablo Picasso, including a fantastic linocut, Toros Vallauris (Bulls in Vallauris), 1958 and the beautiful Portrait de Mlle. D.M. (Dora Maar), c. 1960. Art on Paper is presented by Art Market Productions. Taking place in New York City, the show comprising of international galleries is sure to excite both seasoned and new collectors, as well as admirers of art. Art Market Productions presents fairs around the country from San Francisco, to Seattle to Houston. In its third year, Art on Paper hopes to continue to be a destination for art lovers in New York City and around the world. To view more information about New York Art on Paper please visit: http://thepaperfair.com/ny Please contact rod@masterworksfineart.com for complementary tickets.

Pablo Picasso Linocuts Still High in Value

SarahHoynes — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 23:43:56 +0000

Pablo Picasso linocuts have consistently been some of his highest grossing works of art at auction. Three works in particular remain in the top for auctions in the past 10 years. Picasso began an intense period of linoleum cuts from 1958-1963. Part of this change in medium from lithography and etching was circumstantial. It was around this time that Picasso and Jacqueline Roque left Paris and moved to the French countryside. It would take days for plates to travel between Picasso and his printer in Paris, and this simply was not acceptable for Picasso. Instead, he turned to linocuts.

[caption id="attachment_86203" align="aligncenter" width="248"] Pablo Picasso Buste de femme d’aprés Cranach le Jeune, 1958[/caption] One of his first and most exquisite examples of linocut is Buste de femme d’aprés Cranach le Jeune in 1958. This work was created using 6 different color blocks, as was typical for linoleum cuts. The blocks would be printed on top of one another to create the final image. The result was stunning, but Picasso was not satisfied with the process. Buste de femme d’aprés Cranach le Jeune bursts with color and intricate patterns, showing the care that Picasso put into his works of art. In 2016, Buste de femme d’aprés Cranach le Jeune sold at Christie’s New York for $389,000. [caption id="attachment_86202" align="aligncenter" width="312"] Pablo Picasso Buste de Femme au Chapeau, 1962[/caption] Picasso was at his finest in terms of innovation when he created Buste de Femme au Chapeau in 1962. What had bothered him before – printing so many blocks – he had now invented a way to get around. Instead of using multiple blocks, Picasso would use only one linoleum block and carve away at the same block, printing it multiple times, to get the desired image. He would begin with the lightest color and end on the darkest. This showed immense foresight and planning on the part of Picasso in order to end up with the final image – but it was the type of experimentation that he loved. Buste de Femme au Chapeau, the face of his lover and wife Jacqueline Roque, sold for $461,617 at auction at Christie’s London in 2015. A portrait that is bursting with color, the subject matter and the technique also add value to this work. [caption id="attachment_86204" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Pablo Picasso Nature Morte au Verre sous la Lampe, 1962[/caption] Finally, we have a truly masterful work. Picasso was no stranger to still-life, but Nature Morte au Verre sous la Lampe, 1962 is in a class all its own. The magnificent work is a still life of fruit and a glass on a table, but this is where the similarities end. Instead of the subtle, dim colors of the classic still-lives of the past, Nature Morte au Verre sous la Lampe, 1962 is created with bold shapes and brilliant colors of red, yellow and green – including a lot of black in the background. Picasso allows for this difference by placing a lightbulb above the scene, which sheds bold light in all directions across the page. This work sold for $195,416 in 2015 at Christie’s London, and it is no wonder that it is such a highly lauded and desired work of art. View our Picasso Linocut collection Read more on Pablo Picasso:

Art Boca Raton

SarahHoynes — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 21:56:29 +0000

Join Masterworks Fine Art at the premeire Art Boca Raton hosted from Thursday March 16^th through Sunday March 19^th. Starting with a VIP opening night preview on March 15^th and continuing through the weekend, Art Boca Raton brings together a wonderful selection of international galleries for a fair full of art, events, and lectures. This year’s show will take place at the International Pavilion of the Palm Beaches at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. Masterworks will be bringing a specially curated selection of modern masters and contemporary works. A wonderful piece, new to our collection, is Mel Bochner Blah, Blah, Blah, 2017. Its bold colors and blatant font never fail to draw people in. We will also be bringing some of our favorite works by greats such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miró, As usual, we will be bringing a wide selection of our Picasso ceramics, from lovely pitchers like Chouette Mate (Mat Wood-Owl), 1958 to plates and plaques. In addition to ceramics, we will be showing some of our Picasso glass sculptures. Created in exquisite shades of delicate glass, all the pieces are both quirky and wonderful to behold. After the immense success of last year’s show, Art Boca Raton returns! With a crowd last year of 14,000 visitors, exceeding expectations, this year is certain to be a blast. Partnering with the show is the Boca Raton Museum of Art & Art School which will have extended hours during the fair and special events for visitors. Music in the Museum: Bob Hanni Jazz ensemble will be performing on Thursday the 16^th. During the fair hours, there will be ample opportunities to hear lectures and talks from art world professionals. To view more information about Art Boca Raton please visit: http://nextlevelfairs.com/artbocaraton/ Please contact rod@masterworksfineart.com for complementary tickets.

Printmaking Techniques

SarahHoynes — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 19:49:33 +0000

Collograph A collograph is print made from a collage. This printing method is usually used in combination with other printing methods. It was most likely invented in the 19^th century.

Intaglio Prints

Intaglio coming from the Italian word meaning “to cut into” is a broad category of printmaking created by incising lines and depressions into a plate and inking it. The lines and depressions are created with acid. The plates are then wiped clean, and the ink remaining in the lines and depressions is transferred to the paper. All intaglio printing methods have a plate mark. Etching [caption id="attachment_86532" align="alignnone" width="283"] Pablo Picasso Crouching Model, Sculpture of Back and Bearded Head from the Vollard Suite , 1933[/caption] Etching is an intaglio printing method in which a metal plate plate is covered with an acid-resistant ground surface. The artist then carves into the ground surface and when the acid is applied, it bites into the metal plate before through the gaps in the ground surface. The longer the plate sits in the acid, the darker the resulting coloration. Hard Ground Etching Using a pointed tool to draw, the resulting lines are thinner and wirier. Soft Ground Etching [caption id="attachment_86535" align="alignnone" width="317"] Notice the softer lines in Matisse Calypso from Ulysses, 1935[/caption] The artist draws on paper, which covers a thin layer of wax. The resulting lines are softer and wider, more like crayons. This technique is also used for other objects which can be pressed into wax and their likeness captured. Aquatint [caption id="attachment_86531" align="alignnone" width="400"] Henri Matisse Odalisque au coffret rouge (Odalisque in Red Box) , 1952[/caption] Aquatint is often used in combination with etching or other printing methods. Aquatint is used for creating tonality in prints. The surface of the metal plate is partially covered in particles of rosin. When the acid is applied, it bites at the uncovered areas, creating pits in the plate. The longer that the plate is left in the acid, the deeper the pits become and as a result, the deeper the colors when printed. Embossing [caption id="attachment_86538" align="alignnone" width="295"] Embossing is used in Stella Guifà e la Beretta Rossa, (Guifà and the Red Cap), 1989[/caption] Embossing used the same technique as etching described above. The metal plate is covered in an acid-resistant surface which is incised. As acid is applied to the plate, it moves through incisions in the ground surface and bites into the metal plate below. Instead of inking the plate, the plate is left uninked in embossing, and the resulting print shows raised areas instead of inked images.

Tool-created prints

Separate from intaglio prints which use acid to create the image on the plate, tool-created prints instead use tools to carve into the surface of the plate. Engraving [caption id="attachment_86537" align="alignnone" width="284"] Hieronymus Bosch The Last Judgment (Triptych center panel)[/caption] Engravings are made by carving into the surface of the plate with a steel tool called a ‘burin’. The artist handles the burin by pushing away from their body to carve into the metal – not necessarily the most natural technique. The resulting lines are distinct for being very sharp and clean. Crosshatching can be used to produce shading and tone. Engravings hold up well to printing and can create a couple hundred very good impressions after which thousands of impressions can be printed in decreasing quality. Drypoint [caption id="attachment_86533" align="alignnone" width="400"] Can you see the difference in the quality of the line? Rodin Henri Becque, 1883-1887 is created with rough lines.[/caption] Drypoint is similar to engraving, but instead of using a burin, drypoint uses a steel needle or any sharp object. The resulting lines are rougher than with engravings, because instead of removing metal, the artist is creating a burr, or ridge of metal. This creates a distinctly fuzzy image. As with other types of incision, the deeper the line the darker the resulting print. Drypoint makes 10-15 good impressions before the burr is flattened. Mezzotint A mezzotint is created in a two stage process. In the first stage, a metal tool called a "rocker" is applied across the surface of the plate so as to create fine dots. Second, a burnisher or scraper is used to smooth the surface in places that the artist wants to highlight. This technique can result in delicate tonal differences, but this can be very difficult to achieve. The plate does not last very long until it has been worn down.

Lithograph

[caption id="attachment_86536" align="alignnone" width="400"] Henri Matisse La Vierge et l’Enfant (Virgin and Child), 1949[/caption] From the ancient Greek word lithos meaning stone, lithograph began with the use of limestone blocks. Lithography is based on the repellency of water and grease. Limestone or metal is wetted and then the image is drawn on with greasy crayon and etched using acid to remain on the plate. Afterwards, a sheet is pressed to the stone, resulting in an image. Stones can be ground down and used many times, but metal plates are more popular now for their durability. Collotype A collotype is created by pouring a layer of gelatin and potassium chromate over a zinc or glass plate. The plate then receives an image by being exposed to light. The gelatin layer hardens with more exposure to light, and the portions that remain unexposed remain soft and pliable. Ink is then applied to the plate. The driest, hardest areas print the darkest. This technique is particularly applicable for reproducing the look of watercolor. Offset Lithography This technique holds similarities to a regular lithograph, with the image and text being transferred onto the plate with the same technique that is based in the repellency of water and grease. After this, a roller is used to pick up the image and transfer it to paper. Offset lithography is used in commercial printing because the process of using multiple rollers increased the speed of the lithographic printing process.

Relief Print

A relief print differs from the above printing methods in that the image is created from whatever is not cut away from the ground matrix- in other words, a relief print functions like a stamp. Woodcut [caption id="attachment_86540" align="alignnone" width="347"] Example of woodcut, Jim Dine Rancho Woodcut Heart, 1982[/caption] A woodcut is a relief printing method where the artist draws on wood and the “non-image” area are cut away, leaving behind an image that is inked and subsequently printed. When cut along the grain, the woodcut can stand up to a few hundred good impressions, and then many thousands more of decreasing and lesser quality. Wood Engraving The tools used to produce wood engravings are similar to those that are used in metal engraving. Working on end-grain blocks of wood, the artist will carve away at the surface. However, despite the similarity of the tools to metal engraving, this remains a relief printing process, and the surface that has not been cut by tools is the one that is printed. Linocut [caption id="attachment_86539" align="alignnone" width="400"] Picasso Les vendangeurs (The Grape Harvesters), 1959[/caption] A linocut is the same as a woodcut but the matrix is linoleum, a softer and much more pliable material. Because it is easier to carve, it is used more readily in teaching print making. Monotype In this type of printmaking, the artist will draw in ink or paint onto a smooth surface. Then, while the ink is still wet, a piece of paper will be applied to the surface and pressed so as to transfer the ink or paint to the paper. Because of the technique, monotypes usually produce a single impression, but occasionally a second, weaker impression can be made.

Screenprint

[caption id="attachment_86534" align="alignnone" width="275"] Warhol Marcia Weisman, 1975[/caption] Also called silkscreen and stencil printing, screenprinting is the process of pushing ink through a screen onto paper. Parts of the screen are blocked off using stencils in order to create an image. The name silkscreen comes from the fact that the screen used to be made of silk, but now is more likely made of synthetic materials or wire mesh. It is a very accessible printing form as it does not require a large press. Unlike lithograph, screenprinting tends to look more matte. Read more about different printmaking techniques below:

Victor Vasarely Zebra, 1937 - Setting the Course of Optical Art in the 20th Century

SarahHoynes — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 21:29:19 +0000

[caption id="attachment_86596" align="alignleft" width="364"] Victor Vasarely Zebra, 1937[/caption] Victor Vasarely Zebra, 1937 is a highly contrasting somewhat-abstracted work that set the course for Optical Art in the 20^th century. Two zebras intertwine on a black background, limbs overlapping. The zebras are defined only by the alternating black and white lines that make up their stripes. There is no outline that defines the boundary of the figures. Placed against a black background, the stark contrast with the white stripes creates a complex relationship between the abstract and the real. At the same time the two zebras appear, they also fade and break-apart into abstract shapes. The overlapping bodies of the zebras are full of movement and power. [caption id="attachment_86598" align="alignright" width="346"] Victor Vasarely Zebras, 1965[/caption] Zebras were a subject that Vasarely returned to throughout his career. Zebra Tower takes Vasarely's fascination with black and white Op Art and combines it with his penchant for tall rectangular sculptures. The zebras pop from the black background on one side, and the other plays tricks with the eye using optical illusions. In another silkscreen sculpture, Zebra's, 1965, Vasarely re-imagines his seminal Zebra, 1937. This work shows similarly intertwined zebras, but the mediums lends more definition to the individual bodies than Zebra, 1937 has. Victor Vasarely is known as the grandfather of optical art, also called ‘Op Art’, and his Zebras, 1938 is considered one of the earliest examples of Op Art. The Op Art movement was highly popularized in the 60’s and 70’s. It was based on the aesthetic ideas of abstract patterns and high contrast – often rendered in black and white. Two big exhibitions promoted the style – Le Mouvement in 1955 at Galerie Denise Rene and The Responsive Eye in 1965 at the Museum of Modern Art. References:

“Op Art.” The Art Story. http://www.theartstory.org/movement-op-art.htm
Pack, Alexander. “Original Creators: The Father of Op-Art Victor Vasarely.” April 9^th, 2012. https://creators.vice.com/en_uk/article/original-creators-the-father-of-op-art-victor-vasarely

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A Closer Look: Roy Lichtenstein Crying Girl, 1963

SarahHoynes — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 19:14:58 +0000

Roy Lichtenstein, a famous pop artist, was highly influenced by comic book style from 1961-1965. Lichtenstein drew on the dark, thick lines and limited color palate of comics for his own art. He also heavily employed ben-day dots. Ben-day dots were the technique that was used at the time to print comics. Rather than printing ink across the whole page, instead one would print it in dots and allow people’s eyes to fill in the remaining color. This was a money saving technique. Stencils were used to paint the dots uniformly. Pop Art got to the crux of the interaction between commercial and fine art. Lichtenstein played with this dynamic by imitating a very mechanical process – and getting the expected result – but applied it as a fine art practice. Essentially, he was recreating a mechanical process with his own hands, and basking in the contradiction of it all. Lichtenstein Crying Girl, 1963, an offset lithograph, was one of his earlier forays into pop art. It was originally made as an invitation to his show in New York at the Leo Castelli Gallery. Aside from the invitations which he folded in four, Lichtenstein kept some and signed them. Many of Lichtenstein’s comic inspired paintings and prints dealt with so-called angsting women in one way or another. He would portray a snapshot of a larger narrative and allow the viewer to fill in the remainder. In terms of Crying Girl, 1963, she looks out of the corner of her eyes to the right and holds her hands to her mouth as if muffling a gasp. Tears bead out of the corner of her eyes and the viewer wonders – what is she looking at? Part of what makes Lichtenstein’s works, and Crying Girl, 1963 in particular, so captivating is that they carry such intense emotion, if only for a moment in time.

Sooke, Alastair. “Viewfinder: ‘Crying Girl’ by Roy Lichtenstein (1963),” The Telegraph. March 18, 2006. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3650980/Viewfinder-Crying-Girl-by-Roy-Lichtenstein-1963.html
Stamberg, Susan. “One Dot At A Time, Lichtenstein Made Art Pop,” October 15, 2012. http://www.npr.org/2012/10/15/162807890/one-dot-at-a-time-lichtenstein-made-art-pop

View our current Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol inventory: Roy Lichtenstein Pop Art, Screen Prints and Paintings Andy Warhol Prints, Paintings, Screen Prints, Silk Screens, & Art

Matisse's Paintings: Most Famous Works and Periods from his Life

SarahHoynes — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:04:32 +0000

[caption id="attachment_87162" align="alignleft" width="164"] Henri Matisse Femme au chapeau (Woman with a Hat), 1905[/caption] Henri Matisse created a large number of well-known paintings during his lifetime, and to this day has the reputation of being one of the most important artists of the 20^th century right along next to Pablo Picasso. If you think about Henri Matisse, perhaps the first association is the Fauve movement. Fauvism was born in the early years of the 20^th century and drew on the inspiration of Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Seurat. It was a French movement including, most famously, Henri Matisse. The Fauves, which translated into “wild beasts”, used color in never-before-seen ways to express light and emotion. In this new movement, color was separated on the canvas from that seen in the real world. The resulting paintings are rich in all varieties of colors, and made quite a mark on the viewers, who were at first stunned and disturbed by the paintings. In the fall of 1905, Matisse debuted his now famous painting Woman with a Hat (Femme au chapeau), 1905 at the Salon d’Automne in Paris. The painting features his wife, Amelie, posing in a fantastic hat. Femme au chapeau shocked viewers with the bright, unrealistic hues and the almost unfinished appearance of the brushwork. It was wholly unlike the work that had been produced before it. And most importantly, the colors used had no bearing on the real scene. Reportedly, Madame Matisse had been wearing a black dress when posing for the work. The painting was bought by Gertrude and Leo Stein who were able to see the painting for what it was – the beginning of modern art. The work is now on display at the San Francisco MoMA where it has been since 1991. [caption id="attachment_87165" align="alignright" width="196"] Henri Matisse Joy of Life (Bonheur de Vivre), 1905 [/caption] [caption id="attachment_87164" align="alignleft" width="135"] Cezanne The Bathers[/caption] Joy of Life (Bonheur de Vivre), 1905 is another of Matisse’s most famous fauvist paintings. The work was shown at the Salon des Indépendents in 1906, where it was incomprehensible to the audience. Bright colors flood the canvas, as well as simply and cleanly drawn figures. Matisse takes much inspiration from Cézanne in his works, and this painting has many compositional similarities to Cézanne’s images of bathers. The colors in this work evoke emotions as opposed to portraying reality as we see it visually. This painting was also bought by Gertrude and Leo Stein and hung in their home, where it was seen by Pablo Picasso, who was inspired to then to compete with Matisse in creating his masterpiece Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. The painting currently is on show at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. [caption id="attachment_87166" align="alignleft" width="227"] Henri Matisse Blue Nude: Souvenir of Biskra, 1907[/caption] Blue Nude: Souvenir of Biskra, 1907 threw the art world into disarray. A nude woman poses against background of green palm fronds. The woman is twisted and her body is shadowed with different shades of blue. Unlike the soft and beautiful nudes typically on display in Paris, Blue Nude is harsh and ugly. Picasso said of the work that it fell uncomfortably between woman and design, and that Matisse would have been better off had he picked one or the other. The painting is located in the Baltimore Museum of Art. [caption id="attachment_87163" align="alignright" width="256"] Henri Matisse Dance, 1910[/caption] Dance, 1910, a well-known image by Matisse, was commissioned in 1909 by Russian textile merchant Sergei Shchukin. Matisse was to create 2 large canvases to flank the staircase at his mansion in Moscow. Dance shows five figures with hands joined dancing in a circle atop a green hill. Shchukin was a great patron of Matisse, and the two shared a close and bountiful relationship. The painting resides in The Hermitage in St. Petersburg. A mural version of the work, entitled The Dance II was completed in 1932 and hangs in The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Later, Matisse moved into his period of odalisque painting where he combined elaborated costumed or occasionally nude or semi-nude women reclining against a background full of abstracted designs. Matisse had been interested in decorative designs for much of his career, but it is in the odalisque paintings that this truly shines through. The paintings are inspired by a period of time that Matisse spent in Morocco in 1912 and 1913. The fascination that Matisse found in the harems there is obvious in his many interpretations created in the 1920’s. These paintings can be found in many museums including the Met and the MoMA. [caption id="attachment_87161" align="aligncenter" width="333"] Matisse Reclining Odalisque, 1926, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York[/caption] [caption id="attachment_87159" align="aligncenter" width="354"] Matisse Odalisque, 1926, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD[/caption] [caption id="attachment_87160" align="aligncenter" width="373"] Matisse Odalisque, Harmony in Red, 1926-27, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York[/caption]

Henri Matisse. http://www.henrimatisse.org
‘Henri Matisse,’ The Art Story. http://www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm

More Readings about the art by the Masters:

Print Annotations: Artist Proofs- What do they mean?

SarahHoynes — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 15:41:41 +0000

Prints often have annotations in the margins, and you might be wondering what they mean. In general, prints are signed and numbered with their edition. In addition to these markings, you might also see the following abbreviations: A.P. stands for Artist’s Proof. This annotation stems from the past when artists would be hired by patrons to complete a project. A portion of the edition was then set aside for the artist and left unnumbered for them to do with it what they wanted. This tradition is something that continues into modern day printmaking, though there is no longer such a rigid system of patronage. E.A. stands for “épreuve d’artiste,” meaning Artist’s Proof. This is the French annotation. H.C. stands for hors commerce, or “not to sell.” Similar to an artist’s proof, this proof was set aside from the editioned prints. Often the H.C. impressions were used as exhibition copies, so that the works being sold were not over-handled or damaged. Sometimes these impressions differed from the editioned prints by being printed on different paper or inked differently, but this is not always the case; most often the H.C. impressions are identical to the editioned prints. P.P. stands for Printer’s Proof, which similarly to the Artist’s Proof, was an unnumbered proof given to the printer as thanks or compensation from the artist. Depending on the number of printers who worked on a piece as well as the generosity of the artist, there may have been multiple printer’s proofs of any given work. B.A.T. meaning “Bon à Tirer” or “ready to pull” was annotated on the proof that was approved for final printing by the artist. The edition was then made in the image of the B.A.T. Only one of these such prints exists for each edition. A trial proof is any impression taken to test the development of the image, after which point the artist may decide to change things. There can be many trial proofs before the B.A.T. is created.

Art Market San Francisco

SarahHoynes — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 21:19:01 +0000

Join Masterworks Fine Art at Art Market San Francisco hosted from Thursday April 27^th – Sunday April 30^th. Starting with a VIP Preview night and continuing throughout the weekend, Art Market San Francisco brings together a wonderful collection of previous exhibitors and new ones to showcase an array of contemporary and modern art. This year’s show will take place at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion at 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94123. Masterworks will be bringing a specially curated selection of works by some of our favorite modern and contemporary masters. We will of course be bringing our favorite works by Pablo Picasso, as well as surrealist Joan Miró. In addition to these two heavy hitters, we will be bringing wonderful works by Frank Stella and Sam Francis. Large scale pieces from Stella’s Waves series based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, will be among the works on display. We appreciate the way that Sam Francis uses vibrant color in his work, and plan to exhibit some of his exciting monotypes. After a record-breaking 28,000 attendees in 2016, Art Market San Francisco is back for the 7^th year! Hosted by Art Market Productions, they are dedicated to creating a better art fair experience for collections and gallerists alike. Art Market Productions seeks to provide an environment that encourages connection building. The fair will be an exciting opportunity both for seasoned collectors and new ones – not to mention that art appreciator. Not only will there be much art to peruse and enjoy, but there will also be art lectures by some of the leading professionals in the Bay Area. An artist talk by Carlos Javier Ortiz presenting his documentary We All We Got is sure to be an unmissable event. To view more information about Art Market San Francisco please visit: http://artmarketsf.com/ Please contact Rod Ubillus at rod@masterworksfineart.com for complementary tickets.

Art New York May 3rd - 7th

SarahHoynes — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 22:34:08 +0000

Join Masterworks Fine Art at Art New York from May 3^rd – 7^th. Kicking off the fair with an opening night VIP preview party, Art New York continues throughout the weekend with a large number of international galleries exhibiting their many works, special exhibitions, and events. This year’s show will take place at Pier 94, 55^th Street and West Side Highway, New York City, 10019. Masterworks will be bringing a specially curated selection of some of our favorite works by modern and contemporary masters. Sure to feature in our exhibition are Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Frank Stella, Sam Francis, and more. There will be enough variety to excite any visitor! Hosted by Art Miami. Art New York is back for its third year alongside sister show CONTEXT New York. The show is accessible to collectors of all knowledge levels – from early in the game to seasoned collectors. Art Miami secures excellent galleries who carefully curate their exhibitions to the benefit of collectors, appreciators, and visitors alike. Along with gallery booths, there is also a program of events and special exhibitions happening throughout the weekend. Every day the Children’s Museum of the Arts will be holding a program for children, making this fair accessible and exciting for the whole family! There will also be a lecture series, 1AN Art Symposium, by leading art world professionals all throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. To view more information about Art New York please visit: http://www.artnyfair.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1 Please contact Rod Ubillus at rod@masterworksfineart.com for complementary tickets.

Pop Artist James Rosenquist Dies at 83

SarahHoynes — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 14:46:40 +0000

James Rosenquist, known for his role in defining Pop Art during the 1960's died at his home in New York City on Friday. Born in 1933 in North Dakota, Rosenquist studied at the University of Minnesota before moving to New York City in the 1950's. Rosenquist's mother was an amateur artist, and very encouraging to a young James. Upon moving to the city, Rosenquist shared studio space with artist's Ellsworth Kelly and Agnes Martin. During the days, Rosenquist worked commercially as a billboard painter. This work in the large scale influenced his personal style. Rosenquist worked mostly with movies, soft drinks and alcohol companies. Learning to paint in the large scale turned mundane, everyday objects into abstract ideas. Formerly working in the Abstract Expressionist tradition, Rosenquist then began to incorporate his billboard painting skill into his work. Unlike his contemporaries Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Rosenquist said about his work that he "was never concerned with logos or brand names or movie stars...I wanted to make mysterious pictures." Rosenquist was also never a fan of the term Pop Art, instead jokingly referring to it as "antipop". [caption id="attachment_88299" align="aligncenter" width="437"] James Rosenquist F-111, 1964-1965[/caption] Most famous of Rosenquist's oeuvre is F-111 a piece of massive scale that was a commentary on the United States military. Unlike Warhol, who did not explicitly set out to be political in his work, Rosenquist had something political to say with his paintings - something that still resonates today. F-111 is now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York City. James Rosenquist was a highly respected and lauded artist who worked primarily in the mediums of painting and printmaking. He had many retrospectives during his life, including a large retrospective at the Guggenheim in 2003. Cited

Guiducci, Mark. 'James Rosenquist, Pop Art Icon, Dies at 83.' Vogue. April 1st, 2017. http://www.vogue.com/article/james-rosenquist-dies-at-83
Pengelly, Martin. 'James Rosenquist, pop artist who painted the famous F-111, dies aged 83.' The Guardian. April 1st, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/apr/01/james-rosenquist-pop-artist-f-111-dies-83

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