A 16th-century painting of Christ set a record for Italian artist Girolamo Romanino at Christie's Old Masters auction late on Wednesday when it sold for $4.6 million.
"We are delighted with the world auction record of $4.6 million," said Nicholas Hall, co-chairman of Old Masters and 19th-century art at Christie's auction house. He said the masterpiece was the most important work by the artist to come to market in more than a decade.
It was the top lot of the $12.5 million sale, which also set a record for artist Philippe de Champaigne, whose painting "The Holy Family with a Sparrow" fetched more than twice its $250,000 estimate.
In February, a U.S. District Court restituted Romanino's "Christ Carrying the Cross" to the heirs of Federico Gentili di Giuseppe, a Paris-based Jewish-Italian businessman and art collector who died in 1940.
It was returned to Gentili di Giuseppe's heirs only weeks ago, capping a more than decade-long process that began with a 1999 Parisian court ruling that nullified the 1941 sale of the his estate.
Several institutions, led by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, had works in the sale.
Two works by 18th-century French landscape artist Hubert Robert, "The Ruins" and "The Old Bridge," sold as a pair, fetched $1,874,500 including commission, well above the estimate of about $1 million.
A depiction of four figures representing the four seasons and credited to a follower of Giuseppe Arcimboldo had a presale estimate of $50,000 and sold for $662,500.
A Sotheby's sale on June 6 totaled $5.2 million.
This week's Old Masters sales were smaller than this year's winter auctions, which took in a combined $120 million.
Sotheby's upcoming Old Masters sale in London will be led by "The Feilitzsch Altarpiece" by Lucas Cranach the Elder, which carries an estimate of up to six million pounds (US$9.2 million).
Similarly, Christie's Old Masters sale in London will feature John Constable's "The Lock," which has an estimate of 20 million to 25 million pounds (US$30 million to $40 million).
© 2012 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.
Source: www.newsmax.com
Insight: California's Brown set for fight over pension reform - Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO |
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown heard a clarion call for his party to take on state pensions in the overwhelming passage of retirement reforms by the second and third biggest cities in the state, San Diego and San Jose.
The message did not resonate as strongly in the statehouse where fellow Democrats rule, though.
In California, a reliably blue state, the pensions issue is set to trigger a fundamental struggle within the Democratic Party over what needs to be done and how fast - a struggle that could have national implications as some other states have worse pension funding problems.
The result may be that voters have to force any changes they want through the state's initiative process.
The liberal capital of the Silicon Valley, San Jose, voted on Tuesday to force employees, including police and firefighters, to pay sharply more for retirement or see a sharp drop in benefits.
More conservative San Diego by a similar margin passed a measure to put new employees on a 401(k)-style plan in which the city guarantees how much it will contribute to retirement plans, not how much retirees will get.
Brown, a restless and unpredictable politician with an independent streak, took the vote as a sign the state was ready to jump on his 12-point plan to narrow a pension shortfall estimated to be as high as half a trillion dollars in a state that has struggled in recent years to close budget deficits.
He would put new state employees on a plan that forces them to shoulder some financial market risk, raise the retirement age - to 67 from as little as 55 for many employees - and raise the financial experience of state retirement boards, among other things.
"The pension vote in San Jose, which is a more liberal city than the state as a whole, is a very powerful signal that pension reform is an imperative. It's really important," Brown said in a San Francisco Chronicle video interview.
"Right now, I want to lock this budget down. But people should have confidence that pensions and their reform are on the agenda, right at the top."
At least part of Brown's plan would need a statewide vote, however, and the governor has only three weeks to convince the legislature to put a measure on the November ballot - the deadline is June 28.
"I think there's a pretty strong case to be made for the need for the people to speak on this," said Marty Morgenstern, secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, which oversees state labor relations. The budget must be passed first, he said, but "I wouldn't rule out going to the voters through the legislature. ... It would have to be real quick."
DODGING AN EARTHQUAKE
California's Democratic legislators indicated they did not feel an earthquake coming from San Jose, though, and they are working on a different schedule than Brown.
While Brown emphasizes reform, other Democrats focus on eliminating tricks used to boost pensions - such as working more overtime to boost income in years when future benefits are assessed - and say taxpayer savings must be balanced with ensuring a fair retirement.
"It doesn't change a thing for me. My opinion is the same. We know we need to get pension reform done before the end of the legislative session and we will get it done," the head of the state senate, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, said in an email statement from his spokesman.
Legislators are discussing a law, not a ballot measure for voter approval, said Warren Furutani, an assembly member who co-heads a joint committee that will craft pension legislation and send it directly to the floors of both houses before the current session ends in August.
He said he had not come to a decision on whether to accept the governor's "hybrid" plan to share market risk with retirees, and said there was a lot left to do, such as taking care of workers not covered by federal Social Security because of their state government jobs.
Brown is also pushing a temporary tax package that will go before voters in November, and he has argued that his party, which backs the plan, can improve its credibility with voters by moving on pension reform.
That does not fly with all his allies.
"My instincts tell me that it would not be a major boost," responded Dave Low, chair of the union coalition Californians for Retirement Security. Key proposals by the governor to raise the retirement age to 67 and introduce the hybrid plan are problematic, he said. And while citizen interest in pension reform has risen, it's still relatively low, he said.
Between the budget and competing issues, there might not be time for pensions. "The thing with Sacramento is there are a lot of urgent issues," he said in reference to the state capital.
The ultimate response by Brown could be to go straight to the people with a pension initiative, following the path he's taken this year with a tax ballot measure that avoids the legislature. Low argues that the economy may have improved enough by the time of the next election that pensions will not be as pressing an issue.
Backing a ballot measure in those circumstances would be a waste of time, he said: "I don't see why somebody would want to pour money into that rat hole."
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, a Democrat, does not expect his party to act. "I personally think they will not do anything. This will happen by statewide ballot initiative," he said.
Pension shortfalls are huge, but they only capture the attention of voters when costs start to hobble their government. The state's annual payments are growing from a reasonably small base, but in San Jose, a quarter of the budget now goes to retirement benefits.
Democrats and Republicans alike could not ignore that, Reed said. "In San Jose it was impossible to convince people that this was not a problem," he said.
(This story was refiled to fix Democratic in first paragraph)
(Reporting By Peter Henderson; Editing by Martin Howell and Todd Eastham)
Source: www.reuters.com
Painting of flotilla ruined by Diamond Jubilee downpours - Westmidlands.com
He was there to capture a unique moment in British history – but South Staffordshire artist Derek Baker’s big jubilee day was ruined when he got a right royal soaking.
Mr Baker was one of just 20 artists from around the country specially selected by the BBC to paint the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee flotilla.
The 51-year-old was given a prime spot on Millennium Bridge from where to capture the scene and all was going swimmingly. Until the heavens opened.
“It was one hell of a challenge,” Mr Baker said.
“You couldn’t even keep your brush level or keep the canvas still.
“I’ve never painted in conditions like it, but we cracked on and did the best we could.” Unfortunately the gusty winds and heavy rain were too much to cope with and Mr Baker, who was even forced to tie his easel to the bridge, couldn’t prevent the painting from being badly smeared and damaged.
And weather experts today said the gloomy conditions that marred the Pageant on the Thames will continue across the UK for the rest of the month.
With summer on standby, torrential rain and gale-force winds will engulf the country and temperatures are set to remain rooted at around 15C (59F).
Mr Baker is now planning to restore his painting to its full glory for a potential follow-up programme being made by the BBC – and he’s also hoping the Queen might get to look at the finished pieces.
Mr Baker, from Wombourne, added: “It was a real shame about the weather but I wasn’t too despondent. It was still a great occasion.
“I’ve got a few weeks to finish it now and the BBC will then put on an exhibition of the work.The beauty is I get time to repaint it and do a good job.”
He was using acrylic for the piece designed to capture the fun and energetic essence of the crowd, with the Queen and Prince Philip among them.
Visit www.derekbaker.co.uk to view a selection of Mr Baker’s work.
Source: www.expressandstar.com
California blackouts possible with nuke plant offline - News-Sentinel
LOS ANGELES — Southern California utility officials are warning that blackouts in the region are possible this summer as a result of the sidelined San Onofre nuclear power plant.
The damaged plant is likely to remain sidelined until at least the end of August while investigators probe excessive wear in tubing that carries radioactive water, the plant's operator said Thursday.
The officials say that if a heat wave hits while the twin-reactor plant is offline, rotating blackouts are a possibility. Utilities have been scrambling to find replacement power as a precaution, including restarting two retired natural gas-fired plants in Orange County.
Southern California Edison said in a statement that the company plans by the end of July to submit a plan to federal regulators to restart the Unit 2 reactor, where damage to tubes in its steam generators has been less severe than in its twin, Unit 3.
A proposal to restart either reactor must be approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and that review could take weeks or longer.
Edison spokeswoman Jennifer Manfre said it's likely the plant between San Diego and Los Angeles will remain shuttered at least through August.
The trouble began to unfold in January, when the Unit 3 reactor was shut down as a precaution after a tube break. Traces of radiation escaped at the time, but officials said there was no danger to workers or neighbors. Unit 2 had been taken offline earlier that month for maintenance, but investigators later found unexpected wear on hundreds of tubes in both units.
Gradual wear is common in such tubing, but the rate of erosion in some tubes at San Onofre alarmed officials since the generators are relatively new. The company has said 1,300 tubes will be taken out of service, although the number is well within the margin to allow the generators to keep operating.
The company has found that the tube wear is being caused by vibration and friction with adjacent tubes and bracing, but investigators have yet to say why that's happening or how they will fix it.
Edison initially targeted a June restart for at least one of the twin reactors. A tentative plan called for restarting and running the seaside reactors at lower power, at least for several months, because engineers believe that will ease vibration that could be eroding tubes.
The NRC has said there is no timetable to restart the reactors, which were replaced in 2009 and 2010 in a $670 million overhaul.
About 7.4 million Californians live within 50 miles of San Onofre, which can power 1.4 million homes.
Safety issues at the plant have attracted congressional scrutiny, and some officials in nearby communities have been calling for San Onofre to shut down permanently. The Irvine City Council urged the NRC to thoroughly review safety conditions at the plant before it is considered for relicensing in 2022.
Edison has said safety for the public and its employees is the company's top concern.
The plant is owned by SCE, San Diego Gas & Electric and the city of Riverside. The Unit 1 reactor operated from 1968 to 1992, when it was shut down and dismantled.
Source: www.news-sentinel.com
Unique 2012 Triple Crown T-Shirts, Artwork: Fan's View - YAHOO!
No one plans for a Triple Crown, and, once they happen -- they happen quickly. Since the 2012 Preakness ended in late May, all eyes have been on I'll Have Another to be the first Triple Crown winner in over three and a half decades. With that, there has been an explosion of unique Triple Crown commemorative and collectors items.
If you want one of these rare 2012 Triple Crown treasures, there are several reputable online dealers outside of the official 2012 Belmont Stakes gift shop merchandise.
Does anyone own a Triple Crown store?
Like the term "Super Bowl Sunday," the Triple Crown is not a trademarked phrase. If there are any discrepencies, this does not apply to the word combination of Triple Crown 2012. For this reason, anyone can use these words for logos, art, and other collectors items without infringing on any legal documentation.
This means that websites that allow artists to make and sell t-shirts are currently hopping with 2012 Triple Crown logos on just about anything. Stocked with a variety of items, individual shops can be found RedBubble, TShirtTrailer, Zazzle, and CafePress. However, some of these creators go beyond your typical hat and t-shirt routine.
Unique 2012 Triple Crown collectors items
While many have an I'll Have Another angle, there are independent items that might get overlooked. For example, Amazon has all three of the collectors glasses for each of the three legs of the 2012 Triple Crown races. There are also t-shirts, books, and calendars that stand out as unusual in the sea of 2012 Triple Crown merchandise by touching on the actual pre-2012 winners of the past.
In the long list of 2012 Triple Crown items found on CafePress, a few oddballs stand out such as earrings, iPhone cases, jockey pins keepsake boxes, and the I'll Have Another thong. In addition to the baby bibs and bags, a particularly well-crafted 2012 Triple Crown logo by OneStopPonyShop is an uncommon t-shirt that will suit many fashionable horse racing fans.
One of a kind 2012 Triple Crown merchandise
Purchasing a t-shirt means that, one day, you will run into someone wearing the same thing. On the other hand, Etsy and Ebay are featuring handmade items from artists that will knock your socks off. If I'll Have Another wins the Triple Crown, there will definitely be more items at Etsy in this category. For now, Etsy's main attraction is a one of a kind painting by M Theresa Brown.
Over at Ebay, the catch is collectors items like old tickets, programs, and photos from the 2012 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, or Belmont Stakes. Despite the popularity of these items, there were a few that were were refreshing to see. Mainly, a shot glass collection with all three of the racetracks for the Triple Crown and a set of Triple Crown collectors glasses with a fourth glass for (any) Triple Crown.
Free 2012 Triple Crown t-shirts, gear
For those of you looking for a less-advertised 2012 Belmont Stakes t-shirt, there was an opportunity to get one for free by giving back. On June 3, I'll Have Another's Team O'Neill participated in a prostate cancer awareness run that offered the t-shirts as a prize. Another place to watch for contests giving away free commemorative 2012 Triple Crown gear is the NYRA Facebook page.
In the future, if I'll Have Another wins the 2012 Triple Crown, places like the Kentucky Derby Museum will take charge and have several items appearing at their online store concluding the race.
More from this Contributor:
Italian Sports Apparel; Unique Fashion Trend: Fan's View
Women's Kentucky Derby Hats: Weird and Creative
Weird Men's Kentucky Derby and Horse Racing Hats: Fan's View
An Authentic Kentucky Derby Party Has Weird Items: Fan's View
French Sports Equipment, Apparel; Unique Fashion Trend: Fan's View
Source: news.yahoo.com
Pen-and-Ink Drawing Software is optimized for retina display. - ThomasNet Industrial News Room
Pen-and-Ink App Offers Vibrant, Resolution-Independent Interface for New Retina Display
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) launched Autodesk SketchBook Ink for iPad paint and drawing app, the latest release from the company's popular SketchBook family, which has more than 10 million downloads to date. Powered by a brand new engine, Autodesk SketchBook Ink introduces unique technology for artists to create stunning, high-resolution ink-style artwork. The SketchBook Ink addition to the SketchBook family increases the number of choices available to artists to express their creative visions in a digital environment.
"With more than 10 million downloads to date, we're proud that the SketchBook family is changing how, where, and with what tools people unlock their creativity. People who never considered using a digital app for their artwork before, are now turning to SketchBook to produce incredible illustrations"
Unlike traditional vector drawing apps, SketchBook Ink enables users to produce very fine detail in their artwork, independent of resolution, building on the intuitive freehand-drawing Autodesk SketchBook Pro platform. This new technology also supports the ability to export and print large, high-quality images right from the iPad. Final artwork can be exported at optimal sizes to the photo library on iPad, email, Dropbox, or iTunes file sharing. Images exported to Dropbox or iTunes file sharing can exceed 100 megapixels.
"We are fortunate to collaborate with many talented artists, so we know how important it is for them to have a variety of tools for not only different tasks in their creative process, but also to express their personal styles. SketchBook Ink provides more choices for artists. And with its ability to produce high-resolution output, it makes a huge leap for content creation on the iPad," said Chris Cheung, product line manager, Autodesk.
Complementing Autodesk's popular app for the iPad, SketchBook Pro, which offers a variety of sketching and painting tools, SketchBook Ink is dedicated to pen-and-ink drawing. The inking behavior gives it a distinct feel but builds on the intuitive and familiar interface valued by SketchBook users worldwide. SketchBook Ink launches with seven preset ink styles and two types of erasers. The app supports importing images from the photo library on iPad that can be used as references or backgrounds.
"With more than 10 million downloads to date, we're proud that the SketchBook family is changing how, where, and with what tools people unlock their creativity. People who never considered using a digital app for their artwork before, are now turning to SketchBook to produce incredible illustrations," said Samir Hanna, vice president, Consumer Products, Autodesk.
The Autodesk SketchBook Ink App is available for $4.99 exclusively from the App Store on iPad or at www.iTunes.com/AppStore. For a limited time at launch, SketchBook Ink will be available for a special introductory price of $1.99.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 17 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://usa.autodesk.com/.
Autodesk, AutoCAD and SketchBook are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Contacts
Autodesk, Inc.
Jill Webber, 415-547-2469
jill.webber@autodesk.com
Source: news.thomasnet.com
No comments:
Post a Comment