WANNA BUY A PAINTING?
I've been asked more than once, "So how much does a painting usually cost?" There is, of course, no definitive answer to this unreasonable question, but the parameters within which it might be answered have just expanded--explosively. Have you ever given an estimate as to how high a price might someday be paid for a single painting? For several decades we've all been raising our estimates. Are you sitting down?
An unconfirmed, but widely accepted report has it that recently one of the five Paul Cezanne "The Card Players" paintings has sold privately for $250 million! It was owned by the late Greek shipping magnate George Embiricos. Others from the set--painted late in the artist's career--are owned by the Barnes Foundation, Courtauld Institute, Musee d'Orsay, and the Metropolitan Museum.
The reportedly sold painting measures 97 X 130 centimeters. That's 38.3 X 51.3 inches (just right for your living room) so the price paid, if correct, equals $127,240.07 per square inch. Sorry you weren't in on the deal.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
BOUND FOR SPAIN? POSSIBLY
BOUND FOR SPAIN? POSSIBLY
The Fundacio Gala-Salvador Dali has announced that with several other entities it will sponsor an international seminar on authentication and the identification of fake works of art. The goal is to bring together experts who will exchange information on detection techniques, experiences and ideas for legal measures. It is scheduled for June 19, 20 and 21.
Enrique Zepeda and I are discussing attending, but must first find out more about the agenda and goals of the seminar. If it is intended to focus on artworks attributed to Salvador Dali, we will definitely go. That will give us the opportunity to celebrate Enrique's birthday with a paella and Catalan wine! (Oh, yes, we do knoiw how to have fun). We presume, but don't yet know, that the seminar will be in Figures.
Since graphic works (prints) are to be one topic, it is especially important for me to be there if Dali is the focus. After all, I have examined over 55,000--more than anyone else--and I have the files and expertise to offer assistance to my colleagues, museums, collectors and yes, the Fundacio itself.
Will they, or won't they? (go) Stay tuned.
The Fundacio Gala-Salvador Dali has announced that with several other entities it will sponsor an international seminar on authentication and the identification of fake works of art. The goal is to bring together experts who will exchange information on detection techniques, experiences and ideas for legal measures. It is scheduled for June 19, 20 and 21.
Enrique Zepeda and I are discussing attending, but must first find out more about the agenda and goals of the seminar. If it is intended to focus on artworks attributed to Salvador Dali, we will definitely go. That will give us the opportunity to celebrate Enrique's birthday with a paella and Catalan wine! (Oh, yes, we do knoiw how to have fun). We presume, but don't yet know, that the seminar will be in Figures.
Since graphic works (prints) are to be one topic, it is especially important for me to be there if Dali is the focus. After all, I have examined over 55,000--more than anyone else--and I have the files and expertise to offer assistance to my colleagues, museums, collectors and yes, the Fundacio itself.
Will they, or won't they? (go) Stay tuned.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
THE DIEGO RIVERA PICKPOCKET and ARTFUL DODGERS
THE DIEGO RIVERA PICKPOCKET AND ARTFUL DODGERS
You have read here about the fun we had with Enrique and Silvia Zepeda in Mexico City. One of the things we did was to visit the Diego Rivera Mural Museum which displays a huge painting containing most of the historic figures of the history of Mexico. Enrique and I enjoyed identifying the portraits to each other and discussing the myriad of interesting details.
One was a small boy lower left who is picking the pocket of a gentleman--possibly the 1890s. I made mention to Enrique that perhaps I should consider using the image for the cover of my book Artful Dodgers: Fraud and Foolishness In The Art Market. The title, of course, is taken from the Charles Dickens pickpocket character in Oliver Twist. Being the splendid fellow he is, I soon received an e-mail from Enrique with that image from the mural attached.
The book is in final rewrite and will go to an editor for preliminary review next week. I feel it is going to be well-received, provide a lot of perspectives on the art market that hardly anyone (except the insiders) know, and piss off a lot of dealers. As John Pope Hennessey wrote, "A dedication to the truth can make one many enemies". Who knows that better than me; the target of a Googlebomb, online lies and attacks from the lower reaches of the Dali market?
It will be good to soon move on to full concentration on my next book, Persistence of Enigma: The Salvador Dali Market. Now that one's really going to upset some people, but after all, if they'd live their lives better, I'd have nothing to write about.
You have read here about the fun we had with Enrique and Silvia Zepeda in Mexico City. One of the things we did was to visit the Diego Rivera Mural Museum which displays a huge painting containing most of the historic figures of the history of Mexico. Enrique and I enjoyed identifying the portraits to each other and discussing the myriad of interesting details.
One was a small boy lower left who is picking the pocket of a gentleman--possibly the 1890s. I made mention to Enrique that perhaps I should consider using the image for the cover of my book Artful Dodgers: Fraud and Foolishness In The Art Market. The title, of course, is taken from the Charles Dickens pickpocket character in Oliver Twist. Being the splendid fellow he is, I soon received an e-mail from Enrique with that image from the mural attached.
The book is in final rewrite and will go to an editor for preliminary review next week. I feel it is going to be well-received, provide a lot of perspectives on the art market that hardly anyone (except the insiders) know, and piss off a lot of dealers. As John Pope Hennessey wrote, "A dedication to the truth can make one many enemies". Who knows that better than me; the target of a Googlebomb, online lies and attacks from the lower reaches of the Dali market?
It will be good to soon move on to full concentration on my next book, Persistence of Enigma: The Salvador Dali Market. Now that one's really going to upset some people, but after all, if they'd live their lives better, I'd have nothing to write about.
Friday, April 1, 2011
THE EYES HAVE IT!
THE EYES HAVE IT!
Yes, Melinda's eye operation was a great success even though the doctor said that because of all of her challenges it was a hard one. He was sufficiently satisfied with the results to take photographs to use in teaching at the University of North Carolina Medical Center. She is dazzled by how bright the world is and has even been able to reduce the size of the print on her Kendel reader. It will be a new day for her in many respects and we both thank you for the positive energy and prayers you sent her way. She'll be home next Tuesday.
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