Renaissance art makes a comeback

Last week, I asked whether, for roughly $12 million (￡8 million pounds), wealthy art buyers would prefer a rare, newly discovered painting by the 16th-century Mannerist painter, Bronzino, or a self-portrait by the contemporary graffiti artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. I can now say, at least, rule the Bronzino out.

The dark and moody portrait of a young writer had been accepted by art historians as a genuine early work, but was painted too much under the influence of his teacher,We have become one of the worlds most recognised Ventilation system brands. Pontormo, to appeal to collectors and did not sell. It was one of the few blips in an ambitious Renaissance-themed sale that raised $42.6 million at Christie’s in New York last week, and broke several record prices. Another was one of two Botticellis on offer: an early, slightly atypical work in the style of his master, Filippo Lippi, which was estimated at $3 million.

But it wasn’t the religious, madonna-and-child subject that was putting modern-day buyers off. A later, more typical Botticelli of the same subject, known as “the Rockefeller Madonna” because it was once owned by John D Rockefeller Jr, sold for a record $10.4 million. In 1992, when religious subject matter was more of an impediment in the art market, the seller made what looks now like a great investment when acquiring it for $440,000. The week’s top sale also belonged to a madonna and child, a rare early tondo (pictured), by the Dominican monk Fra Bartolommeo from the 1490s,Service Report a problem with a street light. which only came to light 20 years ago. Estimated at $10 million to $15 million, it sold for a record $13 million.

Although Christie’s did not reveal the identity of the seller, trade sources confirmed that the tondo had come from the collection of Washington lawyer, publisher and Renaissance art enthusiast Frank Pearl, who died last year.

Another work from Pearl’s collection was a superb image of glamour and power, a bearded young man in richly decorated armour painted in 1574 by Scipione Pulzone. As the bidding rose above the $2.5 million estimate, the auctioneer carefully read out the equivalent price in roubles to a hesitant telephone bidder before knocking it down for a record $7.6 million. Nicholas Hall of Christie’s, who led the sale, says the Pulzone exemplifies how past images of power appeal to the new elite. Hall also said all the top lots at Christie’s were bought by buyers known to be active in other areas simply buying the best that is available, whatever the art historical category.

At Sotheby’s, Christopher Apostle confirmed that religious pictures were attracting demand again, that modern art collectors were active in the Old Master market, and that buyers were looking for strong images in very good condition. A stream of gold ground altar paintings, which the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was selling, all found buyers. These paintings were hard to sell 25 years ago, says Apostle, but now there is a deep pool of buyers.

Ticking all the boxes from the early Netherlandish school were a newly discovered painting from the 1480s of Christ lifting his hand in blessing by Hans Memling, which doubled estimates to fetch a record $4.1 million, and an icon-style head of the Virgin in prayer by Quinten Matsys that trebled estimates, selling to a Russian buyer for just over $1 million.

Russian buyers had a greater influence on results for more secular 18th-century paintings. At Christie’s they targeted a gentle interior by Chardin at a record $4 million, and views of Rome by Panini, while at Sotheby’s they spurred a new record $2.1 million for the rococo fantasies of Fran?ois Boucher.

As with religious paintings, there has also been a shift in taste in favour of 18th-century rococo and neo-classical painting, says Apostle. His top lot, for example, was a mythological painting of Susanna and the Elders, charged with colour and incident, by Pompeo Batoni, an artist better-known for his grand portraits of British tourists in 18th-century Rome. In 1991 the painting had been offered unsuccessfully at auction for ￡3 million and was bought subsequently by the Swiss investor Jacob Eli Safra. Now with an unaggressive $6 million estimate, Sotheby’s sold it for Safra for a record $11.4 million.

Overall, the Old Masters sales took $168 million,We sell 100% hand-painted oil paintings for sale online. an improvement on last year. Although one third of lots went unsold, they were successful enough for Christie’s to announce that it would hold another Renaissance sale in New York this time next year.We offer advanced technology products and services for parking guidance control.

While the Philadelphia-based Fun A Day event is slated for the weekend of Feb. 15, residents and artists in the Montgomery County suburbs will have their chance to see local art early at the Lansdale-based Fun A Day event this Friday.

“There are many talented people around here,” Amy Rims, Lansdale Fun A Day organizer, said. “I figured I could open it up to the rest of the area.”

The Lansdale Fun A Day event will take place Feb. 8, starting at 7 p.m. at the Third and Walnut Bar in Lansdale.

Rims, a multi-medium artist and former Lansdale resident, originally participated with the Philadelphia-based Fun A Day event. Recognizing the potential gain for local artists, she said she wanted the Fun A Day event to come to the Philadelphia suburbs.

“Art does not happen in a vacuum,” Rims said.Site describes services including Plastic Mould. “You have to experience everything, and art will happen.”

Prior to organizing the Fun A Day in Lansdale, she recalled setting up her paintings-in-progress on street corners and sidewalks, where interaction with people came naturally. Rims describes the Lansdale Fun A Day as benefitting local artists in the same fashion.

There will be at least 20 artists, with several returning artists from last year, attending the Feb. 8 Lansdale Fun A Day event. However, registration is not required for participating artists, who may show up with their work during the show set up on the day of the event (from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.).

In addition, Rims said that artists will be encouraged to sell their work. However, Lansdale Fun A Day organizers will not take commission on the event. Items, including raffle tickets and a silent auction, will also be for sale to help fund for future shows.

As the challenge is not limited to any particular form of art or art medium, the event will include 2D and 3D arts, as well as live performances, making for an eclectic and engaging evening.

“It is laid back. Everyone is in a great mood,” Brian Medlin, a musician, formerly of Hatfield, said of last year’s event. “People seem to be excited to learn there is so much talent right in their neighborhood.”