David Norman Does It Right

CultureGrrl has heard the best museum curators around the country expound on the masterpieces in their museums, but no one beats David Norman, Sotheby's head of Impressionist and modern art, when it comes to a close reading of what to admire in a painting. If you don't believe me, just surf to Sotheby's engaging online multimedia presentation of the highlight of tonight's sale, Cézanne's "Still Life with Fruits and a Ginger Pot." (Go here, click "Launch Minisite," click "Menu" and then click the Cézanne. You'll get there eventually!)

Estimated to fetch $28-35 million, the Cézanne is said by Norman to be one of only five or six great still lifes by the artist still in private hands.

As it happens, I ran into those hands Friday at Sotheby's presale exhibition: Dealer William Acquavella told me that he had decided to market the painting through Sotheby's, rather at his own bluechip gallery, because the auction house has access to more international buyers. "I bought it [for $18.22 million in June 2000] as an investment," he said. "Now seemed like a good time to sell."

We'll soon see. CultureGrrl will attempt to serve as your witty eyewitness to tonight's auction action.