In addition to the Mona Lisa’s eyes, another haunting and much discussed element of the 16thcentury painting is the Mona Lisa’s smile. A research team from the University of Cincinnati, St George’s University of London and Sapienza University of Rome are putting all myths about the Mona Lisa’s smile to rest. Led by Luca Marsili, MD, PhD, from the University of Cincinnati, the study’s findings illustrated the Mona Lisa’s smile was not genuine, as a result...
Jewellery artist Wallace Chan, will be presenting his first solo show in London. The exhibition titled, SHAPESHIFTER: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan, will be open at Asia House on the 14th to the 17th of September 2019. Twenty jewellery pieces created as part of Wallace Chan’s collection will feature as part of his latest groundbreaking innovation. His most recent jewellery innovation is a super-strength porcelain that is five times harder than steel, and ten titanium...
Nobuo Sekine, the avant-garde Japanese sculptor and artist, passed away this week. Nevertheless, his work will be remembered for its role in catalysing Mona-ha, the post-war Japanese art movement. From 1968 through the 1970s, Nobuo Sekine put forth the ideas central to the ‘Mona-ha’ movement, which translates to the ‘School of Things’. The movement eschewed elements of contemporary, Western art and more specifically, the notion that an object’s signification could be dictated or determined by...
Founder of Air Advantage, Andrew Douglas and Marketing Manager, Gillian Johnston answer our questions on why private aviation is a logical step for the time-pressed air traveller. What catalysed the creation of Air Advantage’s spin-off, At Pretium Jet Charter? Andrew Douglas, CEO of Air Advantage and At Pretium Jet Charter: “We weren’t happy with the way the aviation industry was working. I have a military background and precision, making an effort and not accepting lower standards are...
Popular art auction houses are establishing online-only auction platforms or giving precedence to the online branches of their auction houses; a movement catalysed by the post-millennial obsession with all things digital. Auction institutions such as Invaluable and John Pye highlight this growing trend, with the three hundred year old, Dorotheum in Vienna shifting 70 percent of their auctions this year to online only. Moreover, in the UK, Bruun Rasmussen have received their highest growth following...
It was at the Madoura Pottery Plant in Vallouris, France that Jacqueline Roque first met an ageing Pablo Picasso. He was quickly became charmed by her, to the point where he would deliver a rose to her every day, until she eventually agreed to be his companion. Their relationship is allegorised through Picasso’s 1962 painting, Femme Au Chien. At an astonishing, estimated 633 x 511 inches, the colossal oil painting emphasises the profound impact Jacqueline...
Sotheby’s Renaissance Revival collection was featured in the Magnificent Jewels auction in spring. Incorporating intricate enamel work, old mine diamonds, delicate seed pearls, ornate filigree and other enchanting details, the value of these pieces is dictated by the craftsmanship, magnificent, detailed designs and their historical significance. Originally popularised during the 19th century by master jewelers and goldsmiths such as Castellani and Giuliano, the collection is inspired by the classical antiquity unique to the Renaissance. These Renaissance inspired...
Focalising on the art movement of Spatialism, Opera Gallery will be launching the exhibition Spaziale, featuring some of Italy’s most renowned artists of the twentieth century, including Lucio Fontana, Agostino Bonalumi and Enrico Castellani. The exhibition will open from the 17th to the 29th of May 2019. Other key names of the aesthetic movement being represented by Opera Gallery are Marcello Lo Giudice, Pino Manos, Turi Simeti, Fabrizio Plessi and Umberto Mariani. Created in partnership...
First held by the International Art Association on April 15th 2012 in accordance with Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, World Art Day is a testament to the different displays of artistic talents across the fine arts. Art as Oscar Wilde describes it is the ‘most intense mode of individualism that the world has known’ and thus for this World Art Day, we have compiled our round up of internationally acclaimed artists. With celebrations occurring across the...
What comes to mind when you think of holiday destination Ibiza? For most people the association is with wild nightlife, great weather and wonderful beaches. But this magical Mediterranean spot is also a Mecca for artists who arrive every Summer to be inspired by the White Island’s natural beauty. So what other role does art play in Ibiza? Ibiza Gran Hotel, the most famous hotel on the island known for its sophistication and luxury, has...
