Category: visual

The palace at Versailles is in need of help to repair after a damaging New Year’s storm. Now an opulently illustrated (and fun) website about the palace has been set up www.chateauversailles.fr full of everything you ever wanted to know about Versailles. The hope is to spur international donations to the restoration efforts. – New York Times

A previously unknown 500-year-old Michelangelo drawing, a study of a mourning woman valued at up to £8 million, was discovered by a Sotheby’s agent during a routine insurance visit to an estate in North Yorkshire. The ink drawing was pasted into an otherwise unremarkable scrapbook. “It is the most significant Michelangelo work to be discovered in living memory.” – The Telegraph (UK)

Michel Van Rijn, infamous art dealer, smuggler, and author is full of stories about his dealings with the auction house, including a claim he faked artwork that Sotheby’s then sold. Are the stories true? Who knows, but they’re entertaining reading. – ARTNewsroom.com

Two New York graffiti artists getting ready to open a gallery show of their work are arrested. “These individuals have been long known to the police department, and they have a history of damaging property. It has nothing to do with the show.” – Nando Times (AP)

Canada’s Ontario government is attempting to force the McMichael Gallery to return to its roots. “In doing so, the government is indirectly forcing the gallery to dispose of thousands of works of art, jeopardizing its future, and repudiating the collective wisdom of artists, curators and art critics.” Is this the result of ‘majority rule’ politics? – The Globe and Mail (Canada)

Last year thieves stole four paintings from the Australia’s National Gallery of Victoria. Now police have reason to believe that the thieves are trying to sell the artwork in Sydney. – The Age (Melbourne)

Paintings recovered by police in Turkey are believed to be by Picasso. “Police and cultural officials speculate that the works were plundered 10 years ago from the palaces and museums of Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion that led to the Persian Gulf war.” But others believe the art is fake. – New York Times

After 2000 years, the lights are back on in Pompeii. “The $5 million lighting project sponsored by the Culture Ministry means that the ruins, one of Italy’s biggest tourist draws, will eventually be open at night. It also means the city’s stone amphitheaters will once again host performances.” – Discovery

The about-to-open Melbourne Art Museum, with its sleek contemporary architecture, is a bit of a shock at first encounter. “Sitting alongside the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building, with its majestic Florentine-inspired cupola, the new building will be viewed as an extreme contrast of what museums have been and where they are going. – The Age (Melbourne)

French art auctioneers have had the French art market to themselves for 450 years. But that monopoly is due to be phased out after British Prime Minister Tony Blair intervened with the French government. Now the French auctioneers are fretting over the future. – The Telegraph (UK)