An early work by the symbolist artist Gustav Klimt that was thought lost forever has reportedly been found in a garage in northern Austria.
The timing of the discovery could not be more appropriate as Austria is celebrating its most famous painter's 150th birthday, which fell on Saturday.
The ceiling fresco Trumpeting Putto, which depicts a trumpet-blowing cherub-like child draped in a red scarf against a sky-blue background, is said to have once been part of the ceiling of Klimt's Vienna studio, where he lived with his brother Ernst between 1883 and 1892 after he had completed his studies. In the late 1980s, after a lift was installed in the building in Sandwirt Lane, the fresco disappeared.
Art historians had speculated about its whereabouts ever since and it was believed to have been destroyed. However, art dealer Josef Renz received a call last week from a man claiming to have found the fresco in his garage. The man said he had only recently become aware of the artwork's fame, and did not know how it had ended up there.
"This valuable and unique ceiling fresco is in very good condition," said Renz, who has rescued several other Habsburg-era artefacts from obscure locations. Renz said he was convinced of the authenticity of the painting, which he had spent years searching for. He refused to say how much he had paid the owner for it, but told Austrian media he intended to have the fresco restored and put up for auction in the autumn.
Alfred Weidinger, a Klimt expert and deputy director of the Belvedere museum, which displays many Klimt works, expressed doubt that the painting was by Gustav Klimt, saying there was more evidence to suggest it was painted by the artist's much less celebrated brother Ernst.
"This work has been floating round since the 1960s, and repeatedly attempts have been made to have it recognised as one of Klimt's, especially in this, the 150th anniversary of his birth," he said. "But in research into the catalogue of paintings he produced, studies for this painting made by Ernst Klimt have been found."
Weidinger said not only was the work not signed by Gustav, it was "not a particularly good artwork" and shared similarities with ceiling paintings by Ernst in Schloss Mondsee, close to Salzburg. He said at best the painting was by both brothers.
Austria is caught up in a whirl of activities to celebrate the Jugendstil master, who is famous for his erotic and decorative images of women and whose best-known painting is The Kiss. Special art exhibitions, the opening of a museum dedicated to Klimt, and a Vienna musical on his life are drawing in tourists from around the world.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Artworks being wasted in storage: MP - au.news.yahoo.com
More than $380 million of state-owned artwork is being wasted in storage, says Family First MP Rob Brokenshire.
He says freedom of information data shows more than 240 items have been added to South Australia's art collection during the past year.
Mr Brokenshire thinks taxpayers' money could be better spent elsewhere.
"We have very difficult financial situations in South Australia. Is this prudent management of our funds when you've got that much money stored away in an art gallery and not being shown to the community at all?" he said.
"I'd like to see the Government use some of this stored art in public places so people get a benefit out of it.
"They should be exploring whether or not they can lease some of this art out to the corporate sector and get a return on the investment and they certainly shouldn't be spending money buying new art for a Royal Adelaide Hospital that's going to cost us $1 million a day."
SA Arts Minister John Hill says most artworks have been paid for by private donors, not taxpayers.
"All of the works the Art Gallery gets are through donation or through subscription processes where people give money to the Art Gallery to obtain works," he said.
"We don't as a Government fund them for acquisition. We fund them for services and to put programs on for the public.
"I think it's outrageous to suggest that we should get rid of them. These are valuable parts of our history. It helps tell our story. Just as the Museum collects rocks and artefacts from geological time, the Art Gallery collects cultural artefacts."Source: au.news.yahoo.com
Antiques thefts in Brighton and Hove could be work of organised gang (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Antiques thefts in Brighton and Hove could be work of organised gang
10:30am Sunday 15th July 2012 in News
An organised gang could be behind a series of linked antique burglaries.
Homes across Brighton and Hove have been targeted.
On one occasion a widower in his 90s was targeted. As he slept a large number of antiques were stolen.
A thief or thieves forced the window of his home in Roedean Road open and stole two-inch brass clocks, a solid silver tea set, solid silver greyhound and brass candlesticks.
They also took a vintage Mercedes car from his garage which had belonged to his wife who had died.
Police said the man was devastated by the loss of such a sentimental item.
The man’s home was targeted during the early hours of Sunday, July 8.
Distressing On Friday, July 6, at around 10.30am a high value Georgian clock along with solid silver items thatincluded rose vases, coasters, bowls and an Edwardian silver sweet dish plus an original Staffordshire figure were stolen from a house in Vale Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, while the owner had popped to the shops.
On this occasion entry was gained via the back door.
Around the same time an antique charmbracelet with a little fork and trowel charm, was stolen from a property nearby in King George VI Avenue, Hove.
Detective Sergeant KateWitt said it was likely there was more than one offender because of the “bulk and weight” of the items stolen.
She said: “We don’t have any specific intelligence as to why these houses have been targeted.
“It is likely an organised group.
“The offendersmight have been looking in the area in the run-up to the offences.”
She said the elderlyman was “very, very upset”. “He associates the car with his wife,” she said.
“These burglaries have been incredibly distressing for all three victims. The antiques were not only of high monetary value but also incredibly sentimental to their owners.
“We are not ruling outthat allthree burglaries may be linked and that the homes were specifically targeted.”
If you see or hear any suspicious activity please call police on 101.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Aluminium Garden Furniture Specialist at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - PRWeb
Casino Aluminium Garden Furniture
(PRWEB UK) 15 July 2012
The RHS Tatton Park Show is a long-standing favourite among professionals and amateurs alike and with good reason. The show prides itself in hosting the best of garden design, imparting many planting ideas and showing the finest outdoor furniture from the exhibitors.
The company will be exhibiting from Stand B43 and giving visitors the opportunity to sample the quality of its aluminium garden furniture and outdoor furniture sets. The metal furniture range continues to be popular based on its easy maintenance and mix of modern and classic designs available.
The metal outdoor furniture range includes the popular Ivycast Casino range and is available in a large choice of 6 seater sets right up to 10 seater table and chair garden furniture choices. The show will provide visitors the chance to see the best of these high quality outdoor furniture sets.
Alongside traditional garden furniture the company will display its showcase pieces. This will include Apply Days Beds, conservatory furniture and outdoor rattan furniture. The Garden Furniture Centre Ltd prides itself on the extensive range it carries.
The show wouldn’t be complete without the showing of traditional garden furniture the visitors have come to expect. As such, there will be garden benches, cantilever parasols and gazebos available for visitors to see on the stand.
Expect competitions as well with a special garden bench prize on offer for those who would like to know more about the The Garden furniture Centre Ltd. Entry is simple; just fill out a simple form with name and address.
The company will have plenty of staff available to answer any questions at the show and visitors can try the outdoor furniture sets to feel the quality. With over 2500 individual products, only a small sample of furniture can be on display.
For additional details and full listings of the whole range, metal garden furniture sets in particular; the company’s website provides a great user experience.
Source: www.prweb.com
Police waiting to quiz idol smuggler - Times of India
With Tamil Nadu police planning to approach the Ariyalur court seeking custody of Kapoor for detailed interrogation, Kerala police will approach them for a chance to question him in connection with the idol thefts, mainly the century-old emerald idol of Lord Siva from Sringeri Mutt in Kalady on March 28, 2009.
"Only after questioning Kapoor, will we decide on whether to register a formal case against him and bring him here," said a police official.
Kapoor was brought to Chennai on Friday night and remanded in judicial custody by the Ariyalur court. At present, Perumbavoor DySP K Harikishnan is handling the Sringeri Mutt robbery case. He and his team will go to Chennai once the Tamil Nadu police gets his custody. "It is certain that Kapoor's aide Sanjivi Asokan had operations in Kerala. If we are able to establish his links in the state, we will get a breakthrough," the official said.
Kapoor reportedly shifted his focus to antique idols in Kerala after the Tamil Nadu police busted an idol theft racket there in 2009. As per the probe carried out by them, he was behind the theft of 18 antique idols from various temples in Tamil Nadu.
It was from May 2008 that the temples in Kerala became a target of the racket. On May 30, 2008, gold ornaments, silver artefacts and two 'panchaloha' idols were stolen from the Sreeraman temple at Triprayar in Thrissur.
On April 13, 2010, three 'panchaloha' idols went missing from Ariyal Kuruvayal Durga- Parameshwara temple at Kasaragod. Between March 11 and March 16, 2011, six idols and precious articles were stolen from Mahakali Devasthanam at Thuminadu, near Manjeshwaram and from Narasimha Swamy Temple at Aymanam in Kottayam.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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