At their August 17th World and Ancient Coins Platinum Night, Heritage Auctions offered the legendary “First Dollar of the New World.” According to mint records, the coin is one of eight reales struck by assayer Francisco del Rincón for the Spanish in 1538. Of the eight recorded, only three known examples of the coin exist today. Minted in Mexico City, the coin sunk aboard the shipwreck of the "Golden Fleece" in 1550.
Art News
In Chinese culture, the Ruyi Scepter has a long history not only as a congratulatory gift, but also as a symbol of authority. In China, the term Ruyi is a homophone for “As you wish” or “As you desire,” making the gift of a Ruyi Scepter a way to convey wishes for good luck or congratulations, often for auspicious birthdays or significant promotions. On September 7, Freeman’s will host its autumn Asian Arts auction.
The 89-year-old Claes Oldenburg has created a series of sculptures that look like maquettes, comprised in part of familiar works from his oeuvre. "Shelf Life" is a clever play on words from an artist looking back on a rich and full career, reviewing his body of work and seeing what sticks.
"How do remains convey what's no longer present?" Curator Janice Kamrin and Conservator Anna Serotta on the coffin of Nedjemankh
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of acclaimed singer and musician Aretha Franklin. Her portrait will be installed in the museum’s In Memoriam space on the first floor, and it will remain on display through Aug. 22.
Robert Townsend’s new solo exhibition, Wanderlust, is now at Altamira Fine Art, in Jackson, Wyoming. Los Angeles-based photorealist painter Robert Townsend is known for his boldly colored paintings of Americana. Wanderlust explores the life and times of his 1960’s muse, Helen, featuring new large-scale oils and watercolors.
Lindsay Seers focuses on the relationship between subject and object in photography.
Objectifying her body, the Mauritius born British artist has literally used her figure as a flower vase and photography camera. By placing a light sensitive paper in her mouth and using her lips as the aperture and shutter, Lindsay developed images in a black sack resulting in compelling circular images tinged red by her cheeks.
August Americana was another success for Skinner with an auction total of $2.7M (All prices realized include the standard buyer's premium). Stephen Fletcher, Partner and Americana Department Director said: "We exceeded our expectations and were thrilled to see fresh to the market material, with compelling provenance performing well and oftentimes with no regard to auction estimate
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that artist Martin Puryear to represent the US at the 2019 Venice Biennale. In its 58th year, the Biennale will run May 11 through Nov. 24, 2019. The Madison Square Park Conservancy will serve as this year’s curator of the United States Pavilion and will commision site-specific work from Puryear. Puryear follows 2017’s representative for the US, painter Mark Bradford.
Sculptor Petah Coyne treats her materials as a sort of language with which to share stories, drawing inspiration from literary sources as diverse as Greek mythology and Charles Dickens. (Untitled #1181) Dante’s Daphne (2004–6), which was given to SFMOMA in memory of the poet Leslie Scalapino, is made from an array of unconventional materials including feathers, velvet, wax, silk flowers, black spray paint, and pearl hatpins.
