Until 9th January 2009, the Grand Palais in Paris will be hosting the biggest retrospective dedicated to the controversial artist Emil Nolde (1867-1956) who was rediscovered in all his expressive verve after the Nazis censured his works forbidding him to paint. It is a rich exhibition featuring 90 paintings and other 70 works, between watercolours, drawings and engravings.  The German painter, whose real name was Emil Hansen, was born in the German village of Nolde in the region of Schleswig Holstein at the boundary with Denmark. He later approached the art of painting, as he first started to work in a furniture factory to become a wood carver and illustrator.  After staying in Switzerland where he taught ornamental drawing, he got to know big cities like Munich and Berlin where, frequenting museums, he started to appreciate ancient art and some artists like Rembrandt, Daumier and Manet.

translated by Giorgina Arcuri

An interesting week is opening up for French auctions of modern and contemporary art. Paris and surroundings are going to offer various occasions to buy important pieces of high quality or even become owners of minor works, realized by very famous artists, for moderate amounts.
The events will be inaugurated on Monday 23rd by Cornette de Saint Cyr (Paris) with the Art Moderne - Art Contemporain auction, rich in paintings that are worth watching out for. Among the most important works:

This week has been an important one for European auctions, especially in Italy. Not only the Old Master Sales of Sotheby’s but also very good results for the Italian auction houses Pananti and Finarte. Without forget the beautiful Ferrari auction in Rome. Arcadja has collected for you the most interesting results.

 

New York auctions have given us some exciting news. In particular, two very important new records: Francis Bacon has realized the highest price ever paid for a work of contemporary art and Lucian Freud has become the most paid living artist in the world. However, after the adrenalin stirred up by the important results, the time for questioning arrives. Who might be the mysterious buyer of the fantastic paintings sold in New York? What will become of them? Public exhibition or private viewing?
Some of these questions may have found an answer. Indeed, within the circle there are rumours about a few names, and it seems that the buyer of the two masterpieces of contemporary art sold in the last days has been identified.