Alexander Calder will finally get a prime museum site

Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), ‘Nuages,’ 1976, gouache and ink on paper. Image courtesy of Rago Arts & Auction Center and LiveAuctioneers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A little more than two decades after a Calder museum was first proposed for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the long-dormant idea has blossomed again, funding has materialized, and backers say that, by spring 2021, construction should get underway between 21st and 22nd Streets across from the Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum.

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Restoration of ‘The Blue Boy’ complete at California museum

Thomas Gainsborough (English, 1727-1788), ‘The Blue Boy, Portrait of Jonathan Buttall’

SAN MARINO, Calif. (AP) – An 18-month restoration of Thomas Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy” has been completed and the circa-1770 painting will go back on display next month at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Southern California.

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David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz holding estate sale on Saturday

Former Boston Red Sox star David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz points up to his name after hitting a home run. Photo credit: Toasterb at the English language Wikipedia project

WESTON, Mass. (AP) – Former Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is cleaning house, and you might be surprised by what he’s selling.

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Met acquires Charles Ray ‘Horses’ sculptural relief

Charles Ray (American, born 1953). ‘Two Horses,’ 2019, granite, 10ft 3/8in × 14ft 10¼in. × 8½in. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, Gift of Continental Group, by exchange, and Bequest of Gioconda King, by exchange, 2019 © Charles Ray, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo by Pari Stave

NEW YORK – The Met announced Thursday the acquisition of the monumental sculptural relief Two Horses (2019) by American artist Charles Ray (b. 1953). Two Horses is now on view at The Met in gallery 918 of the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing.

The 10-by-14-foot granite relief by the acclaimed artist portrays two horses in profile, one fully articulated and a second figure behind it that is partially seen, evoking a ghost-like presence. The Met also announced that it will present an exhibition of the artist’s work in late 2021.

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Patti Smith headlining PBA Galleries auction March 5

Framed poster of the Robert Mapplethorpe image used for the cover of Patti Smith’s first album, ‘Horses.’ PBA Galleries image

BERKELEY, Calif. – On Thursday, March 5, PBA Galleries will conduct a sale of nearly 450 lots featuring the Robert Enteen collection of photography’s first 100 years: 1839-1939, an internationally significant private collection of early photography. Complementing the early photography collection is a comprehensive collection of the works of Patti Smith, poet and comrade in arms to Robert Mapplethorpe, and punk rocker. Offerings include studio and bootleg vinyl records, broadsides, zines, poetry chapbooks and ephemera. Rounding out the sale is a collection of works on Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, magic, and the occult, with rare books in all fields. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Nelson-Atkins names William Keyse Rudolph deputy director

Dr. William Keyse Rudolph. Photo credit: Emilie Dujour

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Nelson-Atkins Museum has named Dr. William Keyse Rudolph as its new deputy director, Curatorial Affairs, a key leadership role that will help shape the museum’s dynamic exhibition program and curatorial team.

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Viking jewelry starring in March 4 online auction  

Viking heart ring, circa 900-1050 A.D., size 9½, professionally refurbished with the gold overlay restored. Estimate: $275-$325. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Jasper52 will conduct an online auction of nearly 100 lots of Viking, ancient and medieval jewelry on Wednesday, March 4. The jewelry dates back to the 8th-15th centuries when the Vikings sailed the sea and roamed the land. Included are rings, sorcerer’s amulets and pendants that hold symbolic meaning in their shapes, often embodying the great strength of Viking warriors who bore them. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

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Records set on 20th century furniture at Clars

This George Nakashima for Widdicomb even-arm sofa executed in walnut sold for $24,600. Clars image

OAKLAND, Calif. – Sculpture and fine art, 20th century design and the oceanic and tribal collection of Richard I.M. Kelton of Marina Del Rey, Calif., were the star performers at Clars’ Feb. 23 auction. Realizing prices far beyond their estimates, this sale presented investment level works from private estates and museums that drew bidders from around the world. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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The Whitney to debut public artwork by Jill Mulleady, March 2

Image credit: Jill Mulleady (b. 1980-), ‘We Wither Time into a Coil of Fright,’ 2019. Oil on linen, two panels, left panel: 66 1/8 x 35 3/8 in. (168 x 90 cm); right panel: 66 1/8 x 78 3/4 in. (168 x 200 cm), reproduced as vinyl print on billboard. Collection of the artist

NEW YORK – A work by Jill Mulleady will be the tenth in the ongoing series of public art installations that have been presented since 2015 by the Whitney and High Line Art on the façade of 95 Horatio Street. The 2019 painting, We Wither Time into a Coil of Fright—reproduced as a 17 x 29-foot vinyl print—will go on view on March 2 on the southwest corner of Gansevoort and Washington Streets, located directly across from the Whitney and the High Line.

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KAWS: his XXs mark the spot

Kaws Companion, 2007, vinyl, 58.8in x 24in x 15.2in. Realized NT$950,000/US$31,375 + buyer’s premium in 2016. Image courtesy of Kingsley and Epairich Auction and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK – Legend has it that Brian Donnelly (b. 1974-) first scrawled “K A W S” on Jersey City, N.J., rooftops, in the line of vision of his high school classroom. He not only liked its look—how the letters linked together—but eventually adopted this as his personal moniker.

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