War and Peace: More Smithsonian Conflicts Erupt; Truce Declared in Elbowed Picasso Dispute

The Senate yesterday passed by voice vote a budgetary amendment introduced by that scourge of museums, Sen. Charles Grassley, that would freeze a planned $17-million increase for the Smithsonian Institution until it complies with a detailed list of strictures regarding employee compensation and ethics. As noted in Grassley's press release, the amendment still needs to survive the Congressional budgetary process.

You might not know that, however, from today's Washington Post article, which declares: "The measure specifically caps [not "would cap"] salaries for any executive at the Smithsonian at $400,000, the current pay for the U.S. President. Small's compensation this year is $915,698." The article's only subtle indication that this is not a done deal comes four paragraphs later, in this sentence: "A Smithsonian spokesman said that officials routinely don't comment on bills or amendments until the process is completed on Capitol Hill."

Over at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the museum's 30 commissioners have rallied behind embattled director Elizabeth Broun in a paean to her "inspired leadership" posted on the museum's own blog, Eye Level. (Scroll to the "Comments" section below the item on the negative report by the external review committee.)

At least peace now reigns in the land of the elbowed Picasso: Steve Wynn and Lloyd's of London have reportedly reached an undisclosed settlement in their dispute over Wynn's insurance claim for the damage to "Le Rêve." The casino executive accidentally elbowed a hole in his own painting right before it was to have been purchased for a reported $139 million by hedge-fund mogul Steven Cohen. David Glovin of Bloomberg has the story.