The art discussion thread

small mickey

Typical Ballysteen response. You will remember from Sunday School that David was a mere boy when he slew Goliath.

I’ve just had a look on the black ops thread that Art started, thinking there would be some revelation about malevolent American foreign policy or some such, but apparently it relates to video games that grown men play. Art has stated on this thread that “games are a form of art too”.

Being a man of noble pretentiousness, I cannot accept this to be the case, especially in light of the extraordinary examples of soaring high art on this thread.

I propose that Art be banned from TFK as a result.

Apologies.
I didn’t realise this thread was a distribution network for child porn.

Video games are mere soma for the idle masses, Fitzy, developed to prevent the working classes from shaking off their chains and overthrowing the hegemony men in our position enjoy.

They serve their purpose in that respect SS, a buffer of sorts between the great unwashed and those of us with more discerning tastes. Its this laughable proposition that they constitute “art” that offends me.

Good afternoon Fitzy, this bad boy made $42 million at auction yesterday. I like Lichtenstein but I think I’d prefer a Dutch master for my money if I was being honest.

http://www.independent.ie/multimedia/archive/00737/vase_reuters_737115t.jpg

This vase was found in an attic in England, it sold for €62m yesterday

I have consulted my Millers Antiques Guide 2010/2011 and it’s not in it, Runt. Fair touch.

Helen Porter, of auctioneers Bainbridges, said: "The brother and sister had no idea what they had. They were hopeful but they didn’t dare believe until the hammer went down.

Neither did ye, ye fcuking numpties, as ye guided it at £60 million below its selling price. Have seen the same happen over here, a pair of Chinese vases guding at €800-1000 and selling for half a bar. Major slip up by the vendors here, should have struck a much harder deal over the commission pre sale.

:rolleyes:

Christ, i wish you a slow and painfull death, you uber uber cunt of a man.

:rolleyes:

:smiley:

SS** I had the pleasure of touring the Chester Dale collection during the week. Knowing nothing and caring little about art I wasn’t expecting much but I have to say it was fucking brilliant.

Some highlights:

http://www.curatedmag.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/chester-dale-2.jpg

There was another one that was a scene of a cottage and surrounding gardens that I’ve forgotten the name of but it was very impressive as well.

Just had a quick look at the collection on-line there WTB, sounds like you were at the From Impressionism to Modernism exhibition, that is an incredible collection. That Dale Chester fella didn’t miss much, he seems to have collected anyone worth collecting from his era. There’s a Modigliani hanging in a corner of our own National Gallery, the lender gave £26 million for it. The mind boggles at what that Dale Chester collection would fetch at auction.

Bank Art Conservation Programme Provides Funds to Restore Iconic Maclise Masterpiece

DUBLIN.- Bank of America Merrill Lynch announced that through its Art Conservation Programme, the company will provide funding to the prestigious National Gallery of Ireland to facilitate the restoration of the iconic The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife (1854).

The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife is one of the most important and popular Irish pieces in the National Gallery’s collection. Painted by the accomplished historical painter, Daniel Maclise (1806-1870), it has challenged, inspired and confounded for generations. The picture, which is viewed by approximately 750,000 people every year, depicts an event traditionally regarded as pivotal in Ireland’s history.

The conservation of The Marriage of Aoife and Strongbow is one of 10 international projects being announced this week that will benefit from the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Programme’s inaugural year. Funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the programme will not only restore works of art that display important cultural and historical value throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa - but will also raise awareness of the important role that conservation plays in ensuring that works of art are preserved, displayed and enjoyed by future generations.

Peter Keegan, Country Executive for Ireland at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said: “We are privileged to support the National Gallery of Ireland in conserving this incredible piece of Irish history, The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife. Funding from the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation programme will ensure that this vital artistic treasure can be conserved to the highest standards and enjoyed by the public for many more years to come.”

The Maclise painting will undergo a preliminary technical examination conducted with the most up-to-date non-invasive procedures. Photographic documentation, identification and examination of elements prior to conservation treatments will make it possible to gain an understanding of Maclise’s technique as well as identifying any problems associated with this.

Investigations carried out with ultraviolet and infrared reflectography and radiography will enable conservators to investigate areas of over-painting, as well as any original under drawings and alterations to the composition. The painting, which presents extraordinary conservation challenges because of its size, requires a selection of structural treatments. There will be an opportunity to view webcam footage of the conservation work in progress on the Gallery’s website www.nationalgallery.ie.

Dr. Brendan Rooney, Curator of Irish art at the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “Historical subjects of this kind are relatively rare in Irish art, and Cork-born Maclise’s technical ability was exceptional. The painting is as much a grandiose record of the artist’s modish fascination for antiquarian detail and drama as it is an account of a momentous historic event. It has been studied by scholars of numerous disciplines, from archaeologists and historians to botanists, but also appeals to a general audience who realise its artistic brilliance.”

Raymond Keaveney, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, added: “An important part of the Gallery’s remit is to care for and maintain the collection for future generations. We are most grateful to Bank of America Merrill Lynch for their support with this project.”

Rena De Sisto, Global Arts and Culture executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said: “By helping to restore the art of many nations, we hope to elevate awareness of cultural traditions around the world and inspire respect and interest across cultural boundaries. While new technologies have made art conservation safer and more effective, the process consumes a significant portion of museums’ budgets. This is a propitious time to actively engage in preserving these treasures.”

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Programme is an extension of the company’s existing global commitment to supporting the arts, demonstrated by a multi-tiered programme of sponsorships and grants as well as loans to museums from its own collection.

:clap:

I remember my old master trying to teach us the symbolism of this piece, bellicose Strongbow cloaked in darkness while Aoife the Cathleen ni Houlihan figure sold in bondage illuminated in light along with her fellow Irish. The fact that the priest is raising his left hand instead of his right is supposed to reflect the devilish unholiness of this alliance I was told. I thought this had been recently restored as my master pointed out how dark this used to be. If you look to the bottom right corner you’ll see a black square which was left that way after the last restoration to show how dark it had been. In some of the old leaving cert history books the whole thing is blacker than a Caravaggio.

What do ye make of this French electrician who claims Picasso gifted him a load of his paintings?
The Picasso estate claim he stole them when he was installing alarm systems at Picasso’s houses.

Picasso used to give stuff away but he often wrote a dedication. It seems none of this stuff was dedicated. If they could just find one that said “Thanks for rewiring the sitting room, Pablo” written below a €40m portrait, they’d be in business.

I may have to cut short this discussion now as ‘The Art of Germany’ is just starting on BBC 4.

I’d say that’ll be gas

This is a portrait for the ages, the beautiful Lady with an Ermine, by Leonardo da Vinci, now housed in Krakow, Poland.

This is of course Cecilia Gallerani, one time muse of Il Moro of Milan with what most commentators regard as an ermine in her hands. The ermine is a very clean animal and a symbol of purity in this painting. A contemporary quote I read relays how the ermine would rather be captured by hunters than sully itself by hiding in a muddy den. That was the belief at the time at least. Galé is the Greek for ermine/stoat, a pun by Leonardo on the woman’s surname Gallerani. Her illiciit master, Il Moro, had been awarded the Order of the Ermine adding an extra layer of reference to the animal’s presence. Il Moro was engaged to someone else who’s name escapes me now but was tapping this young wan on the side. The ermine as a symbol for Il Moro looks out at the viewer as a sort of warning…she’s mine. Other commentators have viewed the multiple necklaces and bands on the girl as a reference to almost concubinal imprisonment, which could well be accurate.