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View from my hotel window: Philadelphia Free Library in foreground, In-construction Barnes Foundation (with white rectangular light box atop its roof) directly behind it, Philadelphia Museum of Art at end of the parkwayWhen I posted on Thursday about the latest court decision reaffirming the permission for the Barnes Foundation's move to Philadelphia, I didn't mention that, by … [Read more...] about MeTube: My Narrated Barnes Foundation Walking Tour

The Egyptian Museum, Cairo, in more peaceful timesThe embattled Egyptian Museum again finds itself at the epicenter of violent protests. Alastair Beach of the Independent today reports on yesterday's events:By around 7 p.m. central Cairo was boiling over with angry protesters as thousands of youths fought running battles with the police and gangs of regime loyalists. At the … [Read more...] about Egyptian Chaos: New Antiquities Head, New Violent Protests Near Egyptian Museum (plus D.C. protesters at Air and Space Museum)

In a nutshell, Judge Stanley Ott of Montgomery County Orphans' Court this morning reaffirmed his own previous decision to allow the Barnes Foundation (already far along in construction) to move to Philadelphia. He said that the persistent litigants who have been trying to halt the move lack standing to bring the case. In the kicker, Judge Ott also decreed that "some portion" of … [Read more...] about News Flash: Judge Reaffirms Previous Decision Allowing Barnes’ Move to Philly

Composer John Corigliano, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and conductor Alan Gilbert (left to right) taking their bows after the performance of "One Sweet Morning"Photo by Chris LeeI have fond memories of John Corigliano's ambitious opera, The Ghosts of Versailles.But the New York composer's earnest, labored attempt to rise to the occasion of a grand symphonic statement … [Read more...] about 9/11 Memorial Meme: John Corigliano’s Off-Key New York Philharmonic Commission

First Boston. Now Brooklyn.Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin, described by Sotheby's as "unquestionably the most famous of all Russian painters during his lifetime [1842-1904]" (but relatively obscure during ours), has the dubious distinction of being a deaccession superstar this fall in what is fast becoming the Season of the Museum Disposals (benefiting the Clyfford Still … [Read more...] about Vereshchagin Chagrin: Russian Realist the New Deaccession Sensation

Seeing Red: Clyfford Still, "1949-A-No.1," 93 by 79 in., the highest-estimated work ($25-35 million) of the four being auctioned by Denver to fund Clyfford Still Museum's endowmentIn his rigorously argued, detailed essay, Fighting Still; Still Fighting, David Colosi, an interdisciplinary artist with a background in literary theory, has picked up my reporting and commentary on … [Read more...] about Still Chill: Colossal Colosi Documents Denver’s “Betrayal of Trust”

Michael Kimmelman's new Twitter logo photoFrom the refined cultural capitals of Europe to the gritty, unkempt South Bronx? Who would've thunk it?I'm a Bronxite, born and raised---grew up there (in what's now considered part of the South Bronx) and was schooled there (thanks, Bronx Science), until I left our fourth-floor walk-up apartment on the evocatively named Echo Place to … [Read more...] about The Bronx Says Thonx: Kimmelman Invades My Borough

The VIP Art Fair, which fizzled in its inaugural online outing last January, because its online platform was dysfunctional, is trying again: "VIP 2.0" will come to a computer near you on Feb. 3-8, with "major systems upgrades, adding substantial server and bandwidth resources," according to the announcement that just landed in my inbox. "Significant load testing makes us … [Read more...] about Confidence Killer: Broken Links for VIP Art Fair’s “Augmented Platform”

Clyfford's auction adventureIf the City of Denver and officials of its Clyfford Still Museum believe that the controversy over their decision to monetize four works from the estate of the artist's widow will quickly die down, Kyle MacMillan, the Denver Post's art critic, is out to prove them wrong. What's more, an online video (not mentioned by the Post) of a Denver City … [Read more...] about Clyfford Still Museum’s Sloppy Stewardship: Denver Post Article, City Council Video

Carmine Branagan, director of the National Academy, stands her ground in front of Asher B. Durand's "The Morning of Life," 1840. I wish the National Academy Museum a secure and productive future. And I'm delighted that it is finally back in business, having reopened in its Beaux Arts Huntington Mansion on Sept. 16. (I spoke very briefly Friday about its rebirth on WNYC's All … [Read more...] about Q&A with Carmine Branagan: National Academy Resurrected after Near-Death Experience, Director Unrepentant

Gustave Caillebotte, "Man at His Bath," 1884 Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (which has acquired it)[Part I is here.]The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is not alone in succumbing to the temptation of "trading up" by liquidating museum-quality works to buy other works deemed more important to the collection. Many have done it; the Museum of Modern Art has done it … [Read more...] about Part II: Boston MFA Purchases Caillebotte’s Male Nude, Denudes its Permanent Collection

Currently on display at American Folk Art Museum: "Star of Bethlehem with Satellite Stars Quilt," artist unidentified, possibly Pennsylvania,1930-1950In my post earlier today on the rescue of the American Folk Art Museum (with an update on the Ford Foundation's support here), I stated that its administration's "first order of business" should be updating the museum's website … [Read more...] about Homepage Update: Folk Art Museum’s Detailed Report on Its Good-News Day

This just in (in response to my query) from the Ford Foundation:The Ford Foundation is making a one-year, $500,000 grant to the American Folk Art Museum to help secure a strong and vibrant future for this vital New York cultural institution. Our grant will provide support for museum operations, strategic planning, and innovative efforts to ensure that new and diverse audiences … [Read more...] about American Folk Art Museum Rescue: Ford Foundation Details Its Support

Kinder, Gentler Cuno: James Cuno [left], President and CEO, J. Paul Getty Trust, striking a deal with Pavlos Yeroulanos, Greece's Minister of Culture and Tourism © J. Paul Getty Trust In 2006, when the Getty Trust announced its agreement to return a funerary wreath and a statue  to Greece, it also announced "plans for future collaboration" with that country's Ministry of … [Read more...] about Getty Gives Back Two More Objects to Greece; New Cooperation Agreement Signed UPDATED

[UPDATE: More details, here.]While there was serious talk of its folding, the American Folk Art Museum couldn't reasonably expect donors who care about its survival to step up to the plate.Now it can.Robin Pogrebin of the NY Times reports:The American Folk Art Museum on Wednesday evening decided to continue operating at its current location at Lincoln Square in Manhattan with … [Read more...] about Time to Donate: American Folk Art Museum Rescued (for now)