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Lost Van Gogh In London

A missing Van Gogh painting could be in London, researchers say. “The descendents of Belgian doctor Amadeus Cavenaile say Van Gogh painted the portrait after the doctor treated him for syphilis in 1885. His family, some of whom live in the UK, believe the painting was either brought to London or buried in a garden in Antwerp during World War I. If the painting is found, it could net the owner up to £50 million.”

Scottish Opera: Architect Of Doom

So who was reposible for the “doomsday scenario” recommendation to disband Scottish Opera? It was former Scottish Arts Council chairman James Boyle. “Mr Boyle, in an interview with The Scotsman earlier this week, had attributed the decision-making on Scottish Opera to civil servants who work as officers for the Scottish Arts Council.”

Does Joyce Really Matter?

James Joyce is more than the author of what many academic types call the greatest novel of the 20th century. He is, or so we have been told for ages, the father of the literary modernist movement. But since most modern writers don’t have a lot of use for modernism these days, is Joyce becoming similarly irrelevant? Authors Jim Lewis and Jeffrey Eugenides have some thoughts on the subject.

Francis Bacon Triptych Leaving Tehran

“A major triptych by Francis Bacon is about to see the light after languishing for more than 30 years in the store of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Two Figures Lying on a Bed With Attendants (1968) was bought, having been shown in Europe in 1972, by the wife of the last shah of Iran. It became part of the collection of the Tehran museum, but it is thought to have been on display there only once in 30 years.” The paintings were discovered by the director of the Tate Britain museum while he was vacationing in Tehran, and an exchange of works was worked out to bring the Bacon works to London.

British Royal Portrait To Get First Public Viewing

“One of the greatest English royal portraits of the 16th century is to be shown in public for the first time. Hans Eworth’s painting of Queen Mary I – completed shortly after her marriage to Philip II of Spain on July 25, 1554 – shows her wearing the famous Peregrina pearl, a present from her new husband. Centuries later the same jewel was given by Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor.”

Philly Orchestra Extends Eschenbach Contract, Players Respond Unhappily

The Philadelphia Orchestra announces an extension to music director Christophe Eschenbach’s contract through Aug. 31, 2008. “Players of the orchestra responded yesterday with a letter to orchestra chairman Richard L. Smoot stating that they were ‘deeply disappointed and disturbed to receive your announcement… that you had unilaterally determined to bypass the full Board of Directors and had failed to solicit the expertise of Orchestra members in making a decision that will impact the artistic integrity of the Philadelphia Orchestra for years to come’.”