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• The Prado Museum in Madrid Hosts Our Editor ~ A Unique Collection Of Spanish Masters And Much More
• National Gallery Of Art exhibition Honors Chester Dale & His Major Gifts
• Norton Museum of Art celebrates New York City with an Exhibition
• The Picassos from Antibes at Malaga
• Brooks Museum of Art hosts Thomas Hart Benton
• National Academy Museum Exhibits ' American Impressions '
• Como, Italy exhibits Masters of Russian Avant-garde: Chagall, Kandinsky and Malevich
• McNay Art Museum Showcases Art Collection of Tom Slick: International Art Collector
• Reynolda House Museum closing " Seeing the City : John Sloan's New York "
• Savannah College of Art showcases Famous Works on Paper
• Three Works by Bill Viola on Display at the Museo Picasso Málaga
• Yale University Art Gallery opens Special Exhibition Exploring Techniques in Intaglio Printmaking
• The Rose Art Museum presents Major Hans Hofmann Exhibition : Circa 1950
• Art Knowledge News Presents "This Week In Review"

The Prado Museum in Madrid Hosts Our Editor ~ A Unique Collection Of Spanish Masters And Much More Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:21 PM PST The Prado Museum (Museo del Prado) in the Spanish capital, Madrid, is the most prestigious museum in Spain and probably the largest gallery of classical paintings in the world. The museum features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection. The building that is now the home of the Museo Nacional del Prado was designed on the orders of Charles III in 1785 by the architect Juan de Villanueva. Charles III believed that Madrid should boast the same amenities as Europe's other major capitals, so he set about building museums and other attractions, attempting to make this Castilian town equal to cities like Rome, Paris, and London. Originally designed to house the Natural History Cabinet, construction was delayed by the War of Independence and the building's final function was eventually decided by Charles III's grandson, Ferdinand VII. Encouraged by his wife, Queen María Isabel de Braganza, the building became the new Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures. The Royal Museum, which would soon become known as the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture and following nationalization in 1868, the Museo Nacional del Prado (after the area of Madrid in which it is located), opened to the public for the first time in November 1819. Despite the size of the original building, space has always been a problem, and in 1971 the nearby Casón del Buen (which began life in 1637 as a ballroom for the Buen Retiro Palace) was acquired to house the 19th century collections from the Prado and Picasso's "Guernica". In 1992, this building was transferred to the Reina Sofia Museum of modern and contemporary art (along with "Guernica"), and the Prado once again had to look for more space. The museum's exhibition area increased by more than 50% in 2007 with a new, modern extension designed by Pritzker prize winning Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. The new area includes four rooms for temporary exhibitions, the restored cloister of the Los Jerónimos Church, a large entrance hall, an auditorium with capacity for 450 people, as well as various storage facilities and workshops for the expert restoration of artworks. The new entrance hall joins the new annex with the original building and is concealed beneath a box-hedged garden in the plaza area between the two buildings. The museum contains an extensive library which is open to the public and a large conservation department equipped with modern technology to analyze art materials and to carry out technical studies (the fruits of the restoration department's labors are regularly displayed in special exhibitions, such as Durer's restored "Adam and Eve"). Visit the museum's website at: http://www.museodelprado.es Founded as a museum of paintings and sculpture, the Prado also contains important collections of more than 6,000 drawings, 5,000 prints, 1,000 coins and medals, and almost 2,000 decorative objects and other rare works of art. Sculpture is represented by more than 720 works and by a smaller number of sculptural fragments. The painting collection comprises about 7,800 paintings, of which only about 1,300 are at public display, mainly because of the museum's lack of space. Spanish art has always been the main focus of the museum, and indeed, the first catalogue of the Museum, published in 1819 only mentioned 311 of the Spanish paintings held in the collection, even though at that time the Museum housed 1,510 works, including paintings from other schools. This focus has continued to the present day, and the Prado is proud to have particularly large and significant collections of works by Velázquez (more than 50 painting) and Goya (more than 140). The exceptionally important royal collection, which forms the nucleus of the present-day Museo del Prado, started to increase significantly in the 16th century during the time of Charles V and continued under the succeeding Habsburg and Bourbon monarchs. Their efforts and determination meant that the Royal Collection was enriched by some of the masterpieces that are now on view. These include masterpieces of classical art such as, "The Descent from the Cross" by Rogier van der Weyden, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymous Bosch, "Knight with his Hand on his Breast" by El Greco, "The Death of the Virgin" by Mantegna, "The Holy Family" (known as "La Perla") by Raphael, "Charles V at Mülhberg" by Titian, "Christ washing the Disciples' Feet" by Tintoretto, Dürer's Self-portrait, "Las Meninas" by Velázquez, "The Three Graces" by Rubens, and "The Family of Charles IV" by Goya. In addition to works from the Spanish royal collection, other holdings increased and enriched the Museum with further masterpieces, such as the "Two Majas' by Goya. Among the now closed museums whose collections have been added to that of the Prado were the Museo del la Trinidad in 1872, and the Museo de Arte Moderno in 1971. In addition, numerous legacies, donations and purchases have been of crucial importance for the growth of the collection. Various outstanding works from the Museo de la Trinidad include "The Fountain of Grace" by the School of Van Eyck, the Santo Domingo and San Pedro Martír altarpieces painted for the monastery of Santo Tomás in Ávila by Pedro Berruguete, and the five canvases by El Greco executed for the Colegio de doña María de Aragón. Most of the Museum's 19th-century paintings come from the former Museo de Arte Moderno, including works by the Madrazo, Vicente López, Carlos de Haes, Rosales and Sorolla. Private bequests which are now in the Prado's collection include Van der Weyden's masterpiece, "The Virgin and Child" and Barón Emile d'Erlanger's gift of Goya's "Black" Paintings in 1881. Among the numerous works that have entered the collection through acquisition include two works by El Greco, "The Fable" and "The Flight into Egypt" (acquired in 1993 and 2001), Goya's "Countess of Chinchón" bought in 2000, and Velázquez's portrait of "The Pope's Barber" (acquired in 2003). the ground floor of the Villaneuva building also houses the Prado museum's sculptures. Of special note are the Greek bronze-work and the Roman carvings. The Prado also feature temporary exhibitions. Some of these, such as the current (until 20 March 2011) "Adam and Eve", by Dürer, feature special displays of a work or works that are particularly important or have recently been restored, as in this instance. Two years of intensive restoration work went into "Adam and Eve", coordinated between the Prado and the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles, and the two restored panels now feature in a special exhibition. From 5 April 2011, José de Ribera's "Lazarus" will feature the artist's "The Raising of Lazurus" (recently acquired by the museum) alongside around 30 paintings executed by Ribera in Rome and during his early years in Naples. Visiting exhibitions include "Passion for Renoir. The Collection of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute" (extended until 13 February 2011), showing more than 30 paintings by the great impressionist, and upcoming exhibitions of work from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg ("Treasures of the Hermitage" opens on 8 November 2011) and from the Louvre in Paris (for the first exhibition in Spain of works by Siméon Chardin (opening 1 March 2011)). Until 27 February, visitors can also see "View and Plan of Toledo" by El Greco, accompanied by three other paintings by the artist: "San Sebastian", "San Andres and San Francisco" and "San Bernardino". Featuring works from the El Greco Museum in Toledo alongside works from the Prado's own collection, and in a room adjoining the Prado's permanent El Greco collection, this exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to experience the unique works of this artist in more detail. ANNOUNCEMENT: Our Editor has been invited to visit Museums and cultural sites worldwide, and they are featured on our Home Page (center). Because of the Editor's travel we will be posting many interesting articles from our archives, some of the BEST Articles and Art Images that appeared in your magazine during the past six plus (6+) years . . and we are publishing current art news articles on the left hand side under RECENT NEWS .. Enjoy

National Gallery Of Art exhibition Honors Chester Dale & His Major Gifts Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:19 PM PST WASHINGTON, DC.- New York investment broker Chester Dale's 1962 bequest made the National Gallery of Art one of the leading repositories in North America of French art of the late-19th and early 20th centuries. From Impressionism to Modernism: The Chester Dale Collection, on view in the Gallery's West Building from January 31, 2010 through July 31, 2011, will bring together 81 of the finest French and American paintings that Dale and his wife Maud, an artist and critic, assembled from the 1920s through the 1950s. The exhibition and its accompanying book will explore the Dales' passion and talent for acquiring great art. Many of the works in the show are among the most renowned masterpieces in the history of art, but due to a stipulation in the bequest, may only be seen at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Norton Museum of Art celebrates New York City with an Exhibition Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:18 PM PST WEST PALM BEACH, FL.- Founded by the Dutch as New Amsterdam in 1624, New York City was renamed by the English in honor of the Duke of York. Originally consisting only of Manhattan Island, it was re-chartered in 1898 to include the five present-day boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. New York: The 20th Century invites Museum visitors to explore and celebrate the incomparable life, architecture and landscape of New York City. On view 3 October through 27 December, 2009.

The Picassos from Antibes at Malaga Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:16 PM PST Malaga, Spain- When in 1946 Picasso received the offer to use one of the great rooms in the castle at Antibes as a studio, he exclaimed enthusiastically: "I'm not only going to paint, I'll decorate the museum too". The result was a series of paintings and drawings - on rather unusual supports due to the shortage of materials in the post-World War Two period - that reflected the jubilant spirit, the joie de vivre, of a country that was free once more. Picasso later added sculptures, graphic works and ceramics to this collection, forming the basis for what would be France's first museum dedicated to him, inaugurated in 1966 as Musée Picasso, Antibes. The Picassos from Antibes, an exhibition shown here for the first time in Spain, brings together most of the works by Picasso in the Musée Picasso, Antibes, many of them never before shown outside the museum. These include the murals La Joie de vivre (1946), The Sea Urchin Eater (1946) and the impressive sculpture Head of Woman with Chignon (1932). In all, 73 works, featuring paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics that serve to illustrate a splendid period in Picasso's artistic career. From 13 March until 11 June, 2006.

Brooks Museum of Art hosts Thomas Hart Benton Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:10 PM PST   MEMPHIS, TN - The Brooks Museum of Art will host Thomas Hart Benton : Train Wrecks and Hillbilly Songs through September 2, 2007. This exhibition unites two major train paintings from Tennessee collections by Thomas Hart Benton: the Brooks Museum's Engineer's Dream and the Hunter Museum of American Art's Wreck of the Ole '97. Both paintings are based on folk songs, and this exhibition places them within the context of the songs and railroad legends that inspired them.

National Academy Museum Exhibits ' American Impressions ' Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:08 PM PST   New York City - Featuring 32 masterworks of American Impressionism from collection of the National Academy Museum complemented by 3 loans from the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts, this presentation offers a fresh perspective on this celebrated moment in American art. On exhibition through 6 January, 2008. Reception – September 18, 2007.

Como, Italy exhibits Masters of Russian Avant-garde: Chagall, Kandinsky and Malevich Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:06 PM PST COMO, ITALY - The Villa Olmo is showcasing eighty works – including oil paintings, tempera works and drawings from leading Russian museums and private collections – tracing the great period of Russian avant-garde art from the beginning of the twentieth century to the early 1930s, with masterpieces by Vassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevic and Pavel Filonov. The eighteenth-century Villa Olmo is now showing to 26th July 2009, a sophisticated show on Russian avant-garde art.

McNay Art Museum Showcases Art Collection of Tom Slick: International Art Collector Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:02 PM PST SAN ANTONIO, TX.- Tom Slick (1916–1962) is an important figure in San Antonio's history. A legendary explorer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist, he founded the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, the Southwest Research Institute, and the Mind Science Foundation, among many well-known accomplishments in his short life. Slick's achievements as a collector of modern art, however, have been under appreciated. On exhibition 10 June through 13 September, 2009.

Reynolda House Museum closing " Seeing the City : John Sloan's New York " Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:00 PM PST   WINSTON SALEM, NC.- The Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents Seeing the City: Sloan's New York, a traveling exhibition focusing on John Sloan's images of New York City in paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs to present an in-depth view of the artist's years in the city and the city's effect on his art. Far from glamorizing the emerging vertical vistas of sky-scrapers, Sloan focused instead on people, public spaces, street life, elevated trains, and the pedestrian experience. Seeing the City will be on display at the Reynolda House through January 4, 2009.

Savannah College of Art showcases Famous Works on Paper Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:50 PM PST SAVANNAH, GA - World-class works on paper by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse and Joan Miro will be on display and available for purchase at the Savannah College of Art and Design during the "Modern Masters" exhibition, held Sept. 2nd through 22nd  at Red Gallery, 201 E. Broughton St., Savannah.  An opening reception and printmaking demonstration will be held in the gallery Sept. 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Three Works by Bill Viola on Display at the Museo Picasso Málaga Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:49 PM PST MALAGA, SPAIN - "The Self is an ocean without a shore. Gazing upon it has no beginning or end, in this world and the next. ". These words by the Andalusian mystic Ibn Arabi (1165-1240) served as Bill Viola's inspiration for his work Ocean without a Shore, which he presented at the Venice Biennale in 2007, and which was the origin for his series Transfigurations. The three works on display at the Museo Picasso Málaga are part of this series.  On exhibition through 12 September, 2010. The project has been produced and organized by Museo Picasso Málaga, with the collaboration of the artist Kira Perov and the Bill Viola Studio, and the James Cohan Gallery, New York.

Yale University Art Gallery opens Special Exhibition Exploring Techniques in Intaglio Printmaking Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:47 PM PST NEW HAVEN, CT.- For printmaking in America, the twenty years following the Second World War were a dynamic and innovative period during which artists fundamentally reconsidered the boundaries of the medium. The Yale University Art Gallery offers a special exhibition featuring American and European émigré artists whose work in intaglio printmaking was marked by this new impulse for experimentation. The Pull of Experiment: Postwar American Printmaking, on view from September 25, 2009, through January 3, 2010, examines the creative spirit inspired by interactions among these artists following the war and explores these artists' experimentation with style, techniques, tools, and materials. The forty-two prints in the exhibition are drawn largely from the Gallery's permanent collection and include a recent donation of works, as well as several loans, from the collection of Yale alumnus James N. Heald II, b.s. 1949.

The Rose Art Museum presents Major Hans Hofmann Exhibition : Circa 1950 Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:45 PM PST   WALTHAM, Mass. – Several works by legendary American abstract expressionist painter Hans Hofmann (1880-1966), never shown in a U.S. museum before, debuts at The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University. "Hans Hofmann: Circa 1950" includes more than 35 works, some never seen before in a U.S. museum. An extraordinary body of work created by Hans Hofmann for the architect Josep Sert's 1950 city plan called the Chimbote Project is the genesis for this exhibition. On exhibition 15 January through 5 April, 2009.

Art Knowledge News Presents "This Week In Review" Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:44 PM PST This is a new feature for the subscribers and visitors to Art Knowledge News (AKN), that will enable you to see "thumbnail descriptions" of the last ninety (90) articles and art images that we published. This will allow you to visit any article that you may have missed ; or re-visit any article or image of particular interest. Every day the article "thumbnail images" will change. For you to see the entire last ninety images just click : here . When opened that also will allow you to change the language from English to anyone of 54 other languages, by clicking your language choice on the upper left corner of our Home Page.  You can share any article we publish with the eleven (11) social websites we offer like Twitter, Flicker, Linkedin, Facebook, etc. by one click on the image shown at the end of each opened article.  Last, but not least, you can email or print any entire article by using an icon visible to the right side of an article's headline.

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