- Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza said crisis was 'also affecting collectors'
- Bought British painter Constable's The Lock for 10.8m in 1990
By Lee Moran
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A cash-strapped Spanish Baroness is hoping one of her prized Constable paintings will fetch 25million at auction so she can 'ease her cash flow situation'.
Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, who founded the Madrid art museum bearing her surname, said her country's recession was 'also affecting collectors'.
It had forced her, she said, to sell British painter John Constable's The Lock - finished in 1824 and the last of The Stour Series, which includes his famous work The Hay Wain, to be privately owned.
For sale: The Lock, by British painter John Constable, is up for grabs at Christie's auction house in London in July
Reluctant: Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza said she did not want to sell her Constable painting
'I need the money, I really need it, I have no liquidity,' the owner of an art collection worth more than 800million told Spanish reporters in a staggeringly frank admission.
She added: 'I am very austere with my life, but to maintain the collection requires lots of costs.
'I have had 640million of art work lent for free to the Spanish state over the last 13 years. I did not want to sell this.
'It has given me a lot of pain to lose this painting, that myself and my husband bought at an auction in 1990, but if God chooses I will not have to sell any more.'
Art home: The Thyssen-Bonemisza museum is located in the 19th century Villahermosa Palace in Madrid
Couple: Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza (left) and her late husband Baron Hans Heinrich (right) build up a formidable art collection which has become the envy of the world
The Lock, to be sold at Christie's auction house in London on July 3, depicts a man operating a wooden canal lock gate in preparation for a boat to pass through.
A rural church is visible in the distance. It was first acquired by 19th century collector James Morrison at the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition in the year it was completed.
WHO EXACTLY OWNS THE LOCK?
Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza was one of Europe's richest men in the latter half of the 20th century - and following in his father Baron Heinrich's footsteps he became one of the world's greatest art collectors.
Using wealth generated from the large industrial conglomerate inherited from his father, he preserved and augmented the outstanding collection of Old Master pictures formed in the 1920s and 1930s.
He also significantly expanded the range through his own acquisitions, most particularly of the work of European and American artists from the 19th and 20th centuries.
His father’s collection included masterpieces by European masters including Hans Holbein the Younger, Albrecht Durer, Jan van Eyck, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Caravaggio.
It was largely displayed at the Villa Favorita, a 17th century mansion on Lake Lugano acquired from Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia in 1932.
Baron Hans Heinrich added more than 200 paintings, as well acquiring over 900 more modern works which were completely outside his father’s range of interest.
As his collection increased in scale, he began to focus on the possibility of finding it a suitable, permanent home.
In the mid-1980s, the main body of the collection was placed into a trust and in 1992 the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum was opened in the newly refurbished 19th century Villahermosa Palace in Madrid.
Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza shared her now deceased husband’s passion for collecting and they spent much of their marriage visiting museums, art galleries and auction houses.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza's bought it at auction for 10.8million in 1990 - at the time a world record price for any British work of art.
It has since been in the collection at the Madrid museum - which the couple opened in 1992 in the refurbished 19th century Villahermosa Palace after placing their collection into a trust some years before.
The Baroness tried to sell it to a British collector last year for 30million, but the deal was never sealed. She also tried to negotiate with the Spanish state, saying: 'I offered it at a special price, to be paid in installments, but we could not reach a deal.'
She also revealed that the museum has been been hit the country's economic crisis, with Caja Madrid recently cancelling its long-standing annual 1.75million sponsorship.
But it is not her most valuable painting, which is the Mata Mua by Gauguin, which has been valued at around 120million.
Constable himself said of The Lock: 'It looks most beautifully silvery, windy and delicious - it is all health - and the absence of everything stagnant, and is wonderfully got together.'
Jussi Pylkkanen, president of Christie’s Europe, Middle East, Russia and India, called the piece 'an outstanding masterpiece of European art'.
He said: 'This superb landscape, coming from the same series as The Hay Wain, represents British landscape painting at its very best.'
Richard Knight, co-Chairman of Old Master and British Paintings Department, and John Stainton, International Director, British Paintings, said: 'The sale of this painting will be a moment of huge significance for the art market, and for that of Old Master paintings in particular.
'In 2006 we combined the forces of our Old Master and Early British paintings departments due to the broadening international appeal for works dependent on their quality, as opposed to the nationality of the artist.
'Since then we have seen British art reach new heights and have broken records for a number of the greatest British artists including Stubbs, Gainsborough and Lawrence.
'We look forward very much to presenting this hugely significant work of art to the world's leading collectors and museums.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Stunning artwork by Grimsby Institute degree students proves to be a draw - Grimsby Telegraph
HUNDREDS of people have flocked to see stunning work by the Grimsby Institute's art degree students.
Organisers said that the annual BA fine arts practice degree show was the busiest they have seen as it opened for preview on Friday.
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IMPRESSED: Onlookers admiring Abigail Noble's work at the Grimsby Institute's BA fine art practice degree show 2012
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INTRIGUING: Bethany Buks' artwork.
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SURREAL: Artwork by Martine Wainwright.
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HOMELY SCENE: Jo Smith's 'Two Brothers, Three Sisters And A Mouse'.
The contemporary exhibition shows some of the best work done by 11 degree students currently training at Grimsby Institute.
Art technician Tanya Kennedy, who also did an art degree at Grimsby Institute, said: "This year's exhibition is already one of the busiest I have ever seen.
"There were at least 200 people who came in on the opening night. This is a very well supported exhibition and it seems to be getting more and more popular every year."
Exhibiting artist Abigail Noble said the opening night was "jam-packed".
"You could barely move for all the people inside and there was a great atmosphere.
"We were constantly washing wine glasses throughout the night and there were still hundreds to wash in the morning.
"Hopefully I will sell some of my work this week and the number of people through the door will definitely help", she added.
Martine Wainwright, who is also displaying work, said: "This will be my final exhibition here at the university which is a shame as it is a great space and I like to exhibit here.
"However, I already have a number of other exhibitions lined up for after I graduate."
Toke Dodge, 23, of Louth, came to have a look at the work on display.
"I had heard about a few of the pieces so I came along to see for myself.
"I am really impressed with what I have seen – they are very talented", he said.
The exhibition opened on Friday at the Institute's Cambridge Road campus and continues until Thursday, running from 10am to 4pm every day.
Source: www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
South Africa deal not to show 'rude' Jacob Zuma painting - BBC News
A South African art gallery has agreed not to display a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed after reaching a deal with the ANC.
The painting has sparked fierce debate about the balance between freedom of expression and the right to dignity.
Hundreds of ANC supporters protested outside the gallery on Tuesday.
The painting, The Spear, was defaced last week. It will also be removed from the Goodman Gallery's website.
Under the deal, the ANC has agreed to drop its legal action demanding that the gallery remove the painting from its exhibition and the website.
The red, yellow and black acrylic painting showing Mr Zuma echoing Soviet images of Lenin was taken down after it was covered in red and black paint.
On Monday, South Africa's City Press newspaper said it was removing the image of the painting from its website following threats by the ANC.
In a joint news conference, ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said: "Maybe we should not have gone to through lawyers, we should have talked directly."
Goodman Gallery director Liza Essers said: "I believe in the right to freedom of expression and the South African constitution."
"Brett [Murray, the artist] is very saddened by the hurt that the painting has caused," she said.
The ruling party said the painting was "rude, crude and disrespectful" towards President Zuma and wants all images of the painting online and elsewhere taken down.
In an affidavit served on the City Press newspaper, Mr Zuma said: "The portrait depicts me in a manner that suggests I am a philanderer, a womaniser and one with no respect."
President Zuma, who has four wives, has previously sued local media companies 11 times for defamation.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Painting teams will turn shabby homes into jewels - Tacoma News Tribune
Today we have one challenge, one happy update and one ending to a gun dispute.
Painting season’s just a few dry days away, and Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful is gathering teams to transform shabby homes into jewels.
Now in its 28th year, the Associated Ministries program has painted 2,031 homes.
That history of beautification is not just about the transformative power of exterior latex. It’s about standards and attitude: Pretty neighborhoods where residents know each other give criminals the feeling that they’re being watched.
Last year, crews repainted 41 homes for senior and disabled people living on low incomes.
This year, they have 153 applications from Tacoma, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Edgewood, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Peninsula, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Roy, Spanaway, Parkland, Sumner and University Place.
How many they paint is up to us.
“As many teams as we can muster is the number of houses we can do,” said director Greg Newkirk.
Individual volunteers and small groups are welcome.
Newkirk and his deputies have checked out every house and will winnow entries to the 80 most in need of work.
Already, they’re inviting back prior volunteers, but they need scores more to hit 80 homes.
Newkirk, who volunteered 17 years before he accepted the director’s job last year, is a pro at the hard sell and the heart sell.
“We maintain affordable housing. We eliminate blight in our neighborhoods,” he said. “We bring together a sense of community, and most importantly we lift the spirits of those cherished members of our community who really need assistance.”
Teams commit to finish the work on a house – a job that averages about 160 work hours and takes at least two work parties. Team leaders take a training session, meet with a technical adviser and set up work days with the homeowner.
Teams get paint, caulk and technical advice. They round up most of their tools, from rollers to scrapers to ladders. If no one on their team owns a pressure washer, they cozy up to someone who does.
This year, they’re gathering gardening tools, too. “We have yard cleanup opportunities that are new to the program,” Newkirk said.
For that, they’re looking for topsoil, wood chips, plants and landscaping pros, along with their usual painting supplies and ladder jockeys.
Interested? Visit www.paintbeautiful.org. Call 253-426-1505 or assistant Jean Kampen at 253-383-3056, ext. 142, to reserve a place at one of three evening training sessions in June.
Catholic Community Services leaders are thrilled at the speed with which plans for a $13.3 million homeless services center made the short list for funding.
In March, I wrote how local advocates for the chronically homeless were planning to build a much-needed central place for services by 2015, but that the transition period could get rough.
Now they say the new Nativity House will be finished in mid-2014.
That has brought a sigh of relief to the Hilltop, where Tacoma Avenue Shelter and Hospitality Kitchen won’t have to spend three to five years combined or relocated to make way for the new building at South Yakima Avenue and 14th Street.
“We are moving much more quickly than originally planned,” said Jim Anderson, co-director of CCS’s Homeless Adult Services. “We are not going to be combining the Kitchen and Nativity House, or moving the shelter.”
The new Nativity House will combine the kitchen, drop-in center, shelter beds, services and 50 small apartments. CCS is raising additional funds and working with architects and engineers so construction can begin next summer.
Finally, the 253-in-a-gun design that angered many fans of the 253 heart is on its own.
Steve Naccarato had started taking orders for items bearing the firearm logo on the website of his business, Republic of 253. The marketing backfired with a clientele hurt by what looked like a reference to Tacoma’s worst gang days.
“At this point I think Ro253 is going in a different direction,” Naccarato said Tuesday.
Those who still want the gun design can buy it directly from the artist, Jesse Arneson.
Republic of 253 continues to carry Arneson’s other designs, including a native salmon that has gotten tasty reviews from Republic of 253’s virtual visitors.
kathleen.merryman @thenewstribune.com 253-597-8677 blog.thenewstribune.com/streetSource: www.thenewstribune.com
Love Constable, he would have no doubt loved to have received 25 million for his painting whilst he was alive, probably never imagined how cherished his works would be. Would like to think it will end up in The National or Tate in England where it belongs for his own fellowmen to appreciate.
- Had better not be, step too far england, 31/5/2012 00:06
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