Today in the LA Times there’s an interesting article about the history of the Ghent Altarpiece, and the conservation team working on a detailed analysis of it. The work, paid for by a $230,000 grant from the Panel Paintings Initiative of the Getty Foundation, is being done in a high-security room in a side chapel…
A painting was discovered in Yale University’s museum storage that may be by Velazquez. Former curator John Marciari has been arguing for the attribution and is supported by museum director Laurence Kanter. The Education of the Virgin is believed to have been painted for an altarpiece c. 1617. The painting was donated to the museum…
The photo of President Obama on the cover of the June 19 Economist was altered in Photoshop to make him appear more “alone”, alleges the New York Times. The Economist photo editor argues the others in the photo were removed to keep the focus on Obama, and to not confuse the viewer. What do you…
One of the summer exhibitions at the National Gallery, London explores scientific examination of paintings and what it can reveal. Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries showcases works from the museum’s permanent collection that have been scientifically examined and some discoveries meant re-attribution, refutation or reappraisal. The show runs until 12 September but, if you…
If you have ever wondered whether an image or text is copyrighted or in the public domain, this chart from Cornell University is a great reference (and it was updated in January, 2010). Copyright is never easy to figure out, but at least this has all the rules and exceptions in one place.
Vintage advertisements are a great way to make a point about progress, illustrate certain design aesthetics, or just to have a laugh. Here are some good sites with compilations of old advertisements; you can also find a lot just by Googling. Vintage Ad Browser – thousands of ads, organized by subject and decade Vintage ads…