Art & Culture

“Nativity” by Lorenzo Lotto

“Nativity” by Lorenzo Lotto (1523 a.d.)

Oil Painting in the High Renaissance style by famous artist Lorenzo Lotto. Currently held at the Pinacoteca Nazionale gallery in Siena, Italy

“One of Van Gogh’s Last Paintings Unveiled”

“One of Van Gogh’s Last Paintings Unveiled”

by Mary Alice Parks via “ABC News“

“A spectacularly vibrant Vincent van Gogh painting was unveiled today at the National Gallery of Art in Washington after going private nearly 50 years ago.

The work, “Green Wheat Fields, Auvers,” is particularly exciting for art historians because the famous Dutch painter completed it just weeks before he died in France in 1890 at age . . . .”

I actually adore this painting; the blues and greens combined into an excellent group of harmonious colors. And I’m amazed at the way the change in style from small raked lines in the grass to larger swirls in the sky is an excellent contrast. This is probably one of my favorites of Van Gogh’s works.

“Banksy Mural Fetches $209K at California Auction”

“Banksy Mural Fetches $209K at California Auction”

via “Associated Press“

” A mural stenciled on the side of a Hollywood gas station five years ago by the British street artist Banksy has fetched more than $200,000 at a Beverly Hills auction.

The 9-by-8 foot “Flower Girl” artwork sold for $209,000 on Thursday at an auction that featured nearly 100 works by more than 30 artists, according to the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/1aFPMXw). The winning bid came from . . . .”

“S. Korea says 16th Century Royal Seal at LACMA May have been Stolen”

“S. Korea says 16th Century Royal Seal at LACMA May have been Stolen”

by Matt Stevens via “LA Times”

“South Korean government officials want the United States to investigate the circumstances surrounding a 16th century Korean royal seal that they believe was stolen out of a shrine in Seoul before being acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Korean officials allege that the gilt bronze seal — which has been part of LACMA’s collection since 2000 — is one of more than 40 such signets from the Joseon Dynasty that went missing after. . . . “

Western Masterpieces Offered up to Chinese Buyers

“Western Masterpieces Offered up to Chinese Buyers”

By Sébastien Blanc via “SCMP”

“Beijing (AFP) – A $50 million Rembrandt portrait takes pride of place in a Beijing hotel room, with Picassos and Renoirs dotting the walls as major Western auction houses look to tempt China’s super-rich with Europe’s finest art.

The exhibition, running until Sunday, ranks among the more distinguished displays of Western art seen in the Chinese capital, but is actually a private sale . . . “