Displaying items by tag: American Art

Fourteen pieces of American art purchased by Iran nearly four decades ago, but blocked for export from the United States because of the 1979 Iranian revolution and rupture in relations, have finally been delivered, both nations said Friday.

Delivery of the art, described by American officials as architectural drawings bought in 1978 by the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, came against the backdrop of a slightly improved atmosphere in the estranged ties between Iran and the United States since the agreement resolving Iran’s disputed nuclear work was reached in July.

At nearly 78, American artist Ed Ruscha has promised to donate to London’s Tate museum one impression of all future prints he makes for the rest of his life. The initiative launched with the inaugural group of prints that includes “Jet Baby,” 2011, “Wall Rocket,” 2013, and “Sponge Puddle,” 2015, along with 15 other works reflecting the artist’s interest in signs, language, and the landscape of Los Angeles.

Standing in front of Mary Cassatt’s softly impressionistic “Lydia Seated on a Porch, Crocheting,” with the sublimely complementary palette of “Moonlight, New England” by Childe Hassam hangs off to the right, a visitor can’t help but feel a frisson of excitement.

Because of collectors James and Frances McGlothin, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' American art galleries are 73 works richer and infinitely more fascinating. Originally intended to be donated to the museum after their deaths, the couple instead decided to share in the public’s enjoyment of the works by donating them now.

There was a silver lining to Wednesday’s otherwise disappointing Sotheby’s auction of American art from the Alfred A. Taubman collection: The sale led to a reunion of siblings.

“The Great Florida Sunset,” an 1887 landscape by Martin Johnson Heade, sold for $5.9 million — more than double the previous record for him, though less than the expected $7 million to $10 million.

On Saturday, November 14, the American Art Fair (TAAF) will kick off its eighth iteration with a gala preview at New York’s Bohemian National Hall. The fair, which spotlights American nineteenth and twentieth century works of art, will present a tightly curated selection of landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and sculpture from seventeen exceptional exhibitors.

Participating galleries include some of the...

French police said on Saturday that a painting by the American neoexpressionist and street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was stolen from the owner's Parisian apartment.

The painting by Basquiat, who was affiliated with the American avant-garde artist Andy Warhol, was estimated to be worth 10 million euros ($11.3 million).

According to French police, there were no signs of a break-in into the apartment where the painting was housed, suggesting that the thief's motive may stem from a family dispute.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts says it has received a collection of American art worth more than $200 million.

The Richmond museum says the gift from James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin is the most significant collection of American art given to a North American museum in more than 30 years.

For years, the New Britain Museum of American Art has been called "a little gem" by Connecticut's art aficionados. It's time for a new nickname.

The first museum in the nation dedicated solely to American art is still a gem, but it's not little any more.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, for the second time in a decade, the NBMAA cut the ribbon on a sizable expansion of the 112-year-old museum, where the growth of its collection has been impressive as well, more than doubling in recent years.

A masterpiece of the American pop art movement hits the auction block in New York next month, expected to set a new record for artist Roy Lichtenstein and continue a record-setting year in art sales.

Christie’s has set the low estimate for Lichtenstein’s iconic “Nurse” at $80 million, but believes it could fetch in excess of $100 million at a specially curated evening sale in New York on November 9.

An important work by American painter Benjamin West was recently installed in the McGlothlin American Galleries. The portrait was acquired during the June 18 meeting of the VMFA Board of Trustees and is among the most valuable acquisitions in VMFA history.

Benjamin West, also known as the “father of American painting,” was at one point the most prominent painter in the British Empire. He served as President of the Royal Academy, History Painter to the King, and Surveyor of the King’s Pictures until his death in 1820. While in London, he also mentored American artists Charles Wilson Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and John Trumball – each of whom is represented in VMFA’s American Galleries.