Articles

Symbolism in Art: Irises – Van Gogh (1889)
Article date: Friday, July 28, 2017

Symbolism in Art: Irises – Van Gogh (1889)

There are 325 species of iris flower. Most wild iris are blue or purple. Vincent Van Gogh’s representation of a bouquet of iris flowers, titled Irises (1889), appears to show the blue variety, although records show that the original paint would have been a vibrant purple before the passing of time dulled the pigment.

It’s a privilege to talk directly with an artist - an interview with Margarita Pushkina, Cosmoscow’s Founding Director
Article date: Sunday, July 23, 2017

It’s a privilege to talk directly with an artist - an interview with Margarita Pushkina, Cosmoscow’s Founding Director

This past September, Russia’s contemporary art fair – Cosmoscow - took place for the fourth time in the country’s capital. Although the latest edition hosted a modest number of participating galleries (thirty-eight), Cosmoscow is an art fair that can no longer be overlooked. .. In this interview, we talk to Cosmoscow’s Founding Director Margarita Pushkina about the fair’s current conditions, and her personal preferences in art.

This is how the song, California Calling by the Beach Boys starts...
Article date: Monday, July 17, 2017

This is how the song, California Calling by the Beach Boys starts...

Alex Israel is without doubt a Californian artist. His location is inextricable from his work. In his work you can see the Californian sun, the optimism and the vibrant colors. Over the last few years he has gained attention from critics around the world, both for his pastel-color panel paintings and his acclaimed TV show ‘As it Lays’. His multimedia work is deeply entrenched in the experience of being born and raised in L.A.

Responses to Artdependence Article ‘Kurt Schwitters’ Final Merz Barn Under Threat’
Article date: Thursday, July 13, 2017

Responses to Artdependence Article ‘Kurt Schwitters’ Final Merz Barn Under Threat’

Following the publication of our article ‘Kurt Schwitters’ Final Merz Barn Under Threat’ we received some comments on the content contained within. We post these here for your consideration:

Evelyn de Morgan's THE ANGEL WITH THE SERPENT
Article date: Thursday, July 13, 2017

Evelyn de Morgan's THE ANGEL WITH THE SERPENT

The model for The Angel with the Serpent was Evelyn de Morgan’s brother Percival Spencer Umfreville Pickering.

Eight new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Article date: Monday, July 10, 2017

Eight new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

The World Heritage Committee meeting held in Krakow inscribed cultural sites in Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Poland, and the Russian Federation, along with one that spans Croatia, Italy and Montenegro.

The Jungfrau by EDGAR PAYNE
Article date: Monday, July 10, 2017

The Jungfrau by EDGAR PAYNE

EDGAR PAYNE's The Jungfrau will appear on Bonhams CALIFORNIA AND WESTERN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE Sale August 1. Estimate US$ 200,000 - 300,000

Is the Insurance Value of Picasso’s Guernica Close to 3 bln USD?
Article date: Thursday, July 6, 2017

Is the Insurance Value of Picasso’s Guernica Close to 3 bln USD?

Every now and then an arts publication will release a top 10 ranking of some form: 10 best booths at an art fair, 10 best paintings at an art fair, 10 best museums, and so on. All of these lists are extremely subjective. They will vary widely according to who is writing them. You can only achieve an objective ranking by using pure data as your listing criteria. Artdependence reached out to Christies and Sothebys to gather information on the most expensive auction lots from September 2016 to June 2017. We used the data to create a list, ranking the top 10 most valuable pieces of art according to pure market value.

Kurt Schwitters’ Final Merz Barn Under Threat
Article date: Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Kurt Schwitters’ Final Merz Barn Under Threat

“It is a priceless part of Europe’s modernist cultural and artistic legacy. We are doing our best not to let it be devalued or disrespected, but we need help.” Ian Hunter. Sometimes, as an arts journalist, you read something in the newspapers that fascinates you and compels you to find out more. The Guardian article “Kurt Schwitters’ Merz Barn under threat from property developers" by Hannah Ellis-Petersen was one of those articles for me. How is it possible that Schwitters’ Merz Bern, such an important piece of art history, could be under threat?

How much do you know about Dansaekhwa?  Hint: It is Korea’s most famous (and profitable) art movement.
Article date: Monday, July 3, 2017

How much do you know about Dansaekhwa? Hint: It is Korea’s most famous (and profitable) art movement.

If you are not particularly interested in contemporary Asian art the term "Dansaekhwa" (a.k.a Korean Monochrome Paintings or Korean Abstract Paintings) may have well gone under your radar. The popularity (and sales) of Dansaekhwa artist have enjoyed remarkable success in the past few years and in 2016 South Korea became the 10th largest art auction market in the world.

Old Master & British Drawings & Watercolours Sale on 5 July
Article date: Monday, July 3, 2017

Old Master & British Drawings & Watercolours Sale on 5 July

Christie's The Old Master & British Drawings & Watercolours Sale will be highlighted by three important works by Joseph Mallord William Turner.

Diamonds and Circles, works in situ, by Daniel Buren
Article date: Saturday, July 1, 2017

Diamonds and Circles, works in situ, by Daniel Buren

A new permanent commission for Tottenham Court Road station in London to open 3 July 2017.

Max Beckmann’s Birds’ Hell Achieved New World Artist Record
Article date: Thursday, June 29, 2017

Max Beckmann’s Birds’ Hell Achieved New World Artist Record

The highlight of CHRISTIE’S IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART EVENING SALE - Max Beckmann, Hölle der Vögel (Birds’ Hell) sold for a world record price of £36,005,000

“These works productively question and challenge the theoretical categorization of sculpture...” – Mario Kramer, MMK
Article date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017

“These works productively question and challenge the theoretical categorization of sculpture...” – Mario Kramer, MMK

Minimalism is about to have one it’s biggest revivals to date. The Frankfurt Museum of Modern Art (MMK) is presenting a major exhibition of minimalist art from the 60s and 70s. Featuring the work of more than 50 international artists, the show is the first of its kind and features the recreation of two historical installations, both originally seen at the Heiner Friedrich gallery in Munich, 1968. Artdependence caught up with Mario Kramer who is curating the show.

‘A light of pure gold’ — Vincent van Gogh’s Le moissonneur (d’après Millet)
Article date: Sunday, June 18, 2017

‘A light of pure gold’ — Vincent van Gogh’s Le moissonneur (d’après Millet)

Barely appreciated in his own time, positively lionised in ours, Vincent van Gogh led a life as familiar to us as that of any artist in history.

The Whitney to receive two key paintings, a Hopper and a Hassam
Article date: Sunday, June 18, 2017

The Whitney to receive two key paintings, a Hopper and a Hassam

Adam D. Weinberg, the Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, had announced that an anonymous donor has promised two major prewar American paintings to the Museum's permanent collection: Edward Hopper's 1932 painting City Roofs and Childe Hassam’s Allied Flags, April 1917, also known as Allied Flags, Union League Club (1917).

Venice, Biennale and More..
Article date: Thursday, June 15, 2017

Venice, Biennale and More..

The 57th edition of Biennale, titled VIVA ARTE VIVA and curated by Christine Macel, chief curator at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, opened its doors to the public on the 13th of May. The first Biennale took place in 1895; it was an initiative of the Venetian mayor Riccardo Selvatico. Today, it is one of the most important events in the art world internationally.

Summer of Shorts Premiere Schedule
Article date: Saturday, June 10, 2017

Summer of Shorts Premiere Schedule

Art21 officially kicks off a summer of programming with Summer of Shorts, which will feature ten new films over the course of ten consecutive weeks.

Flora Mayo: 2 lives
Article date: Saturday, June 10, 2017

Flora Mayo: 2 lives

Flora Mayo was Alberto Giacometti’s first great love. The two met while studying art in Paris. He became a world-famous artist; she fell into oblivion.

Art connects
Article date: Thursday, June 8, 2017

Art connects

As an art magazine, we want to do more than just review the latest exhibitions and news stories. Following the horrific attacks in London and Manchester we want to turn our attention to the beauty and culture on offer in the capital, so we’ve decided to list some of the exhibitions that make it well worth a trip to the city.