ArtCurious News This Week: March 31, 2023
Hello and how are you, ArtCurious listeners! This is ArtCurious News this Week, our short-form Friday roundup of my favorite art history updates and interesting news tidbits. Today is Friday, March 31, 2023.
This week’s stories:
CNN: Scientists identify secret ingredient in Leonardo da Vinci paintings
NBC News: Unknown Jackson Pollock painting found in police raid in Bulgaria
CNN: Rare print of Hokusai's 'Great Wave' sets new auction record
AP News: Louvre staff block entrances as part of pension protest
New York Times: He Lost a Courbet Fleeing the Nazis. His Heirs Are Getting it Back.
CNN: Dusty painting hidden behind door turns out to be Brueghel 'masterpiece'
Please support ArtCurious. Donate here via VAE Raleigh
SPONSORS
Honeylove: Get 20% OFF @honeylove + Free Shipping with promo code ARTCURIOUS20 at https://www.honeylove.com! #honeylovepod
Lume Deodorant: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get over 40% off your starter pack with promo code ARTCURIOUS at lumedeodorant.com/ARTCURIOUS! #lumepod
To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/ArtCuriousPodcast
Episode Transcript
Oh hi there, folks. Jennifer here with your short-form news roundup meant to bring you up to date on some of the latest goings-on in the realm of art history. This is ArtCurious News This Week and today is Friday, March 31, 2023. Now, onto the news, because I’ve got several great stories for you today featuring some new discoveries, auction records, museum closures and more. We’re starting things off with a fascinating discovery related to the working methods of the Old Masters and one of the greatest geniuses in the history of art, Leonardo da Vinci.
According to a recent article in CNN, a team of researchers and scientists at the University of Antwerp in Belgium has found that the binder used in a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, known as the "Salvator Mundi," contains egg. Yes, you heard that right: egg. This might sound bizarre to some, but the use of egg as a binder in painting is not a new discovery; it was very commonly used by artists during the Renaissance and even earlier.
What makes this discovery significant is that the "Salvator Mundi," as many of you already know from reading my book, is a painting that has long been shrouded in controversy and mystery for years. It is believed to have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1500, and when it was purchased at auction in 2017 for a staggering $450 million, it became the most expensive painting ever sold. But long before the sale, and ever since, its authenticity has been questioned.
The discovery of egg yolk in the painting's binder could help authenticate the work and give us new insights into the painting techniques used by Renaissance artists. According to the researchers, egg yolk was a common binder for pigments used by Leonardo da Vinci's contemporaries, such as Raphael and Michelangelo. It was used to make paint more malleable, allowing for greater control over brushstrokes and color mixing. Some think, then, that this points to the painting as having a true Renaissance-era provenance. Of course, not everyone is convinced by this discovery. Other experts have questioned whether the "Salvator Mundi" might have been the work of one of Leonardo’s followers or students. The presence of egg yolk in the binder does not necessarily prove the painting's authenticity, they say—nor does it narrow down that ongoing list of questions surrounding this painting. Regardless, you know I love the weirdness of “Salvator Mundi” and I truly never get tired of reading all about the pros and cons of a Leonardo attribution here. With every new discovery and every new tidbit of information about this work, the mystery of the "Salvator Mundi" seems to deepen. We may never know for sure whether it was truly painted by Leonardo da Vinci himself, but you know what? Sometimes—or oftentimes—a mystery is just more fun than getting a straight answer.
Two rediscovered paintings were in the news in recent days. First up: according to a recent article in NBC News, an unknown painting believed to be a work by Jackson Pollock was found during a police raid in Bulgaria. The painting was discovered along with over 200 other works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and ceramics, a large collection believed to have been amassed by a Bulgarian group involved in drug trafficking and organized crime. The painting in question, which measures about 28 by 22 inches, is a colorful, abstract composition characteristic of Pollock's signature style. But just because it looks like a Pollock doesn’t mean it actually IS a Pollock. As with the “Salvator Mundi” debacle, this discovery raises several questions about the authenticity of Pollock's works and the possibility of undiscovered masterpieces by the artist. While Pollock was a prolific artist during his lifetime, creating hundreds of paintings, drawings, and prints, many of his works have been lost or destroyed over the years. In fact, only around 180 paintings by Pollock are known to exist today, making any new discovery a significant event in the art world.
However, it's important to approach this discovery with caution. There have been many cases of forgeries and fake Pollocks over the years, and experts will need to conduct thorough analysis to determine the painting's authenticity. And the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the painting – as being attached and associated with the Bulgarian crime ring—are iffy at best. So while the painting’s authenticity hasn’t been confirmed yet, we’ll just have to hold our collective breath and keep our fingers crossed. As always, I’ll be sure to keep you updated on any new developments in this story.
And for another rediscovery: a long-lost painting by the Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel the Younger. According to a recent article from CNN, the painting was discovered in a French attic and will be sold at auction in June. The work, which is titled "The Wine Brawl," is a lively depiction of a tavern scene and features many of the humorous and boisterous details that are characteristic of Brueghel's work. Brueghel is one of the most important and highly valued artists from the Northern Renaissance, and his works can be seen in major museum collections the world over. But this discovery raises important questions about the circulation of artworks and the role of private collectors and dealers in the art market. The fact that this painting was hidden away in an attic for so long underscores the importance of careful and responsible stewardship of works of art—as well as the careful tracking of provenance, or the history of the ownership of a work of art. I, for one, am excited to see how this work performs at auction, and though I am resigned to the fact that it will most likely end up back in a private collection, I’m still hopeful that it’ll find its way into a public institution for long-term loan, or heck, even as a purchase or a gift! Having the ability for all to enjoy a previously unknown work by this master would be a treat for sure.
Okay, all, you know the drill. This is a great time for a little break. We’ll be back to more ArtCurious News This Week in just a minute. Meanwhile, if you like this show but not the ads, join us over at Patreon.com/artcurious to grab an ad-free feed and show me that you care! That’s patreon.com/artcurious. Ongoing thanks to my VIP patrons Flamestress, Gaston, Stephanie, John, JL, Rhonda, Lance, Robin and Andrew! Thank you for your support, your kindness, and your feedback.
Want your name read here every week? Become a VIP for just $25 a month—and know that you’re helping us so, so much. We’ll be right back. Thanks for listening!
Welcome back to ArtCurious, and our News this Week. For our next round of stories, we’re starting off with the announcement of another iconic work of art that's about to hit the auction block.
A rare print of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai is set to be auctioned at Christie's in London. The print, which is part of Hokusai's famous "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" series, is expected to fetch up to £250,000 (around $340,000) at auction.
"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" is one of the most famous and recognizable images in the history of art, and it has become an enduring symbol of Japanese culture. You know this one, I know you do, but in case you need a little refresher, the print depicts a massive wave towering over three fishing boats and Mount Fuji in the background. The image was created using a traditional woodblock printing technique and is known for its intricate details and striking blue and white color scheme.
The print up for auction is believed to be from the very first edition of the series, which was produced in the early 1830s—and that’s news in and of itself. It's rare to find prints from this edition in such good condition, as many were lost or damaged over time. The print also has a unique feature that sets it apart from other copies of the work: it has a faint pink hue on the crest of the wave, which is thought to be the result of the printing process. So that makes this particular print even more special, something that is reflected in its price tag.
Next up, it’s time to talk about another museum closure due to protests. Last week, I reported on the shuttering of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston in response to a climate protest—this week, the Louvre was forced to close for a day due to strikes and protests by French workers protesting against proposed changes to the country's pension system. The closure of the Louvre highlights the ways in which politics and social issues can impact the art world. Museums and galleries rely on a stable and secure environment to operate and display their collections, and any disruptions can have significant consequences.
However, this closure also raises important questions about the working conditions of museum employees and the role of museums in society. Museum workers are often overlooked or undervalued, despite the crucial work they do in preserving and sharing our cultural heritage. Strikes and protests can be a powerful tool for these workers to demand better pay and working conditions, and it's important for museums to listen to these voices and work towards fair and equitable labor practices.
At the same time, the Louvre's closure is a reminder of the vital role that museums play in our society. Museums are more than just tourist attractions or repositories for valuable objects; they are spaces for education, exploration, and contemplation. They bring people together and foster dialogue and understanding across cultures and time periods. It's crucial that we continue to support museums and their employees, and to recognize the importance of art and culture in our lives.
And last up: you know I always love a good Nazi-looted art restitution story, especially one that has a happy ending. And this week, I’ve got one for you! The New York Times reported this week that a painting by Gustave Courbet seized by the Nazis during World War II has been returned to the heirs of its original owner. The painting, titled "The Stormy Sea," was taken from a Jewish collector in 1941 and ended up in a German museum after the war. Its road to restitution has been a long and complicated process, like most restitution cases are. The German museum that held the painting, the Museum of Fine Arts in Leipzig, had initially resisted the restitution claim, arguing that the painting was legally acquired after the war. This resistance happens all the time, with this same argument mentioned here on this podcast not that long ago in connection to the Guggenheim’s ownership of a Picasso. The good news here though, is that after years of legal battles and public pressure, Museum of Fine Arts in Leipzig ultimately agreed to return the painting to its rightful owners, the heirs of the original Jewish collector. This is a win not only for the long, long process of WWII restitution, but also for museums as a whole, though I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it to the Museum of Fine Arts in Leipzig. But it is a win: because it’s the right decision, and a choice that underscores the importance of ethical and responsible museum practices. So, good job, Leipzig.
That's it for ArtCurious News This Week. Thank you so much for listening today. And guess what? Monday is the day! Monday, April 3 is the start of Season 13 of ArtCurious, and it’s going to be a fun—and super-sized one! As always, I’d like to thank you all for your support and for listening today—and until next time, stay curious.
