“It’s gorgeous,” was all Marilyn Monroe could say when she first set eyes upon the Moon of Baroda; not a heavenly body to rival her own, but a rare 24.04 karat canary yellow diamond. She wore it while promoting the classic 1953 comedy, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, with its hit song, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” The classic stone became the highest bidder’s new best friend when it sold at auction November 27 at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Hong Kong Sale.
Art News
The J. Paul Getty Museum announced today the acquisition of Christ as the Man of Sorrows, painted between 1520-30 by the great Netherlandish master Quentin Metsys (1465 or 1466 – 1530; variously spelled Massys, Matsys, Metsijs; Quinten). The painting has been in a private collection for centuries and was previously unknown to art historians. Its discovery and attribution expands the oeuvre of one of the leading painters in early sixteenth-century Antwerp.
On December 5, Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts sale includes The World of Hilary Knight featuring his original Plaza Hotel portrait of Eloise, (estimate: $100,000-150,000), a portrait that captures the irrepressible spirit of one of the most influential children's book characters in history.
Ligne Roset Presents Interactive Art Exhibit: “Transformation,” linking vintage advertisements with five transformative, interactive art concepts during Art Basel Miami.
Now on its fourth Miami show and seventh overall edition, Superfine! has proven itself to be the art fair that breaks down barriers. Seamlessly integrating independent artists and galleries under one roof, the fair also opens doors for those who’ve never collected art and want to.
Featuring 140 exhibitors from 25 countries and 60 cities, SCOPE Miami Beach brings together great art from around the world. Here is a sampling of the stunning modern and contemporary works available from December 4-9.
An exhibition of international significance, Renaissance Splendor: Catherine de’ Medici’s Valois Tapestries unveils six recently restored Valois Tapestries, on view for the first time in North America. This unique set of eight hangings was almost certainly commissioned in the 1570s by Catherine de’ Medici, the indomitable queen mother of France, to celebrate the future of the Valois dynasty as continuing rulers of France.
SAN FRANCISCO – The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) are proud to announce Gauguin: A Spiritual Journey, debuting at the de Young Museum on November 17. The first exhibition at FAMSF dedicated to the work of Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) will explore two themes central to his career: the relationships that shaped his life and work, and his quest to understand spirituality, both his own and that of other cultures he encountered.
At Christie's Post-War and Contemporary Evening sale last night, David Hockney’s 1972 Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) became the most expensive painting ever sold by a living artist. Selling for $90,312,500, the Hockney work far exceeded the previous record, set by Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog (Orange) in 2013, when it sold at Christie's for $58,405,000.
Old Dominion University’s Barry Art Museum opened to the public on Wednesday, November 14.
Located on the corner of Hampton Boulevard and 43rd Street in Norfolk, Va., the 24,000-square-foot museum was made possible by a gift of funds and art valued at more than $37 million from Richard and Carolyn Barry-the largest in the Old Dominion’s history.
