Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
🙌 A modern miracle?
What happened?
A congregation of churchgoers in Mexico have borne witness to a real-life miracle… or did they? Visitors were moved by a statue of the Virgin Mary that appeared to be shedding real tears. If seeing is believing, the Tictok videos are mighty convincing.
What do the sceptics say?
Enter Professor Luigi Garlaschelli. A chemist from the University of Pavia has suggested the following.
“You need a hollow statue made of plaster or ceramic, which must be covered on the outside with a waterproof layer.” Once water gets in, the porous material will absorb it, but the outer layer will prevent it from coming out.
“However, if a slight scratch is made in the protective glaze in the tear duct area, the absorbed water will come out through it as if it were tears”.
Fortunately, any believers will be comforted to know Garlaschelli thinks "permission won’t be granted to examine it”.
ON THE MARKET
DAME ELIZABETH BLACKADDER
Still life with gold hand
Beautiful materials. Scrumptious hand-made paper, gold leaf and Blackadder's ever-delicate touch make this a very handsome work on paper by a much-loved artist at an attractive price.
£2,000 - 3,000
CHRISTOPHER BRAMHAM
Lemons I
Looking at this still life you get a strong London School vibe. Indeed, Bramham was a close friend and collaborator of Lucien Freud. He is a painter of great quality who at 71 is still represented by Marlborough Gallery and clearly at this price much more affordable than the 7 figure price tags of his London School contemporaries.
£2,000 - 3,000
GARETH REID
High water
£6,000 - 8,000
This is an artist who has had recent fame in the world of portraiture. Winning the sky arts competition and some smash hit commissions, including Graham Norton and King Charles. He has only had one other work come to auction before that made circa 12k. He sure knows how to craft a pleasing picture!
JOHN MACLAUCHLAN MILNE
Iona
£1,500 - 2,000
This depicts Cathedral Rock on the northern coast of Iona. It was a favoured spot by the likes of Peploe and other great colourists. A charming and energetic little watercolour.
SLEEPER
Pictured left: Sold in June for €31,000 as 'attributed to Michaela Wautier.' The buyer, dealer Johannes de Renialme has suggested a new attribution to Jan Livens. Experts have now confirmed Lievens as the author, and the painting will be offered at the PAN Amsterdam art fair next week. The updated price tag is €3.3 M.
It is believed to be a portrait of Maurice the young Prince of Bohemia. Shown in another work pictured right by Livens.
SNIPPETS
💁🏻 New job: Tracy Emin becomes the first female artist appointed Trustee of the British Museum.
🔨 Watch: Rockeby Venus attacked with hammers by Just Stop Oil protesters.
✨ Refurb: Met reopens multiple galleries after a 5-year renovation costing $150 M.
😯 Wow: A rare 'Inverted Jenny' stamp just sold for $2 M.
🖋️ Correspondence: Get a jump start on your Christmas cards. 3 for 2 deal at the RA.
👾 Quiz time: Can you name the pixelated painting?
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Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
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