An extraordinary rediscovery in the world of Islamic art has emerged as a bronze portrait medallion of Sultan Mehmed II, predating his historic conquest of Constantinople, prepares to take the spotlight at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale on Tuesday, May 21. The event will be held at Bonhams New Bond Street location in London, where art enthusiasts and historians alike will have the opportunity to witness this remarkable artifact.
It is considered to be one of Vladimir Tretchikoffโs great masterpieces and is one of the best-known and most reproduced of his works. Yet for years his Lost Orchid was itself considered lost. Having not been seen in public since it was acquired from the artist in 1955, the painting has finally re-emerged and will now be offered at Bonhamsโ Modern and Contemporary African Art sale on 27 March at New Bond Street, London. It has an estimate of ยฃ150,000 – 200,000.
As part of the exhibition dedicated to Donatello at the Victoria and Albert Museum (“Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance,” which took place from February 11, 2023, to June 11, 2023), a conference organized by the V&A Research Institute was held in London. It focused on the Medici sculptor par excellence, the only one honored with burial in the crypt of the Basilica of the Florentine dynasty of San Lorenzo. Speeches were scheduled over two days and saw the presence of the most important specialists in the international arena. They took stock of the studies dedicated to the Master, which, despite having a very extensive bibliography, still leave many questions open.
Amid the gathering of esteemed institutions and dignitaries, a significant revelation took center stage: an unpublished drawing, measuring 18.9 cm by 17.7 cm, depicting a holy family. This masterpiece, hailing from the esteemed collection of Emile Calando, was presented by a prominent Bolognese company. Notably, this drawing had once shared a space with works by titans like Michelangelo and Raphael and was now speculated to be a rare gem from Parmigianino’s early Roman period, reflecting clear Mannerist undertones.
Following the recent unveiling of Raphael Sanzio’s painting depicting Mary Magdalene, the art community was abuzz with enthusiasm, curiosity, and criticism. Numerous high-profile articles and videos were published, chronicling this historic find. While acclaimed by certain art connoisseurs and scholars, the research conducted by experts faced scrutiny from skeptics, raising questions about the masterpiece’s authenticity. In an effort to set the record straight, explain the scientific processes involved, and respond to the critiques, Annalisa Di Maria, one of the principal researchers behind this remarkable revelation, granted an exclusive interview to The World Art News. During this conversation, she provided valuable insights, addressing the concerns that had surfaced in response to this groundbreaking discovery.
The recent unveiling of a remarkable masterpiece by Raffaello Sanzio, depicting Mary Magdalene and dating back to 1505, has sent shockwaves through the art world. This extraordinary find, acquired by a discerning French private collector from a gallery, has rekindled the fervor surrounding Raphael’s genius. The astute gallery owner, with a discerning eye, purchased the painting at an auction, oblivious to the fact that the poplar board had been subtly mounted onto the back of a nineteenth-century Florentine-style parquet. This feature mirrored that of another Raphael masterpiece, the three Graces, housed at the Condรฉ Museum. Interestingly, this newfound treasure originated from a private London collection, adding a layer of mystery to its storied past.
In this captivating story, a team of experts from Venis Studios undertakes an extraordinary conservation and restoration journey to revive a rare and historically significant “Ierosolimitiko” icon found within Kuruรงeลme’s Saint Demetrius church in Istanbul. The remarkable artwork, depicting Jerusalem and the Holy Land, suffered severe damage and wear over time, but through meticulous scientific research and traditional techniques, the team successfully brought it back to life. The restoration process involved delicate cleaning, selective retouching, and careful lining interventions to provide stable support for the ancient canvas. The hidden beauty of the sacred icon was unveiled, capturing the imagination of viewers as they discover its profound religious and artistic significance. The successful preservation of this ancient treasure not only rescues memories from the Holy Lands but also safeguards tradition and history, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Leonardo da Vinci, widely regarded as the preeminent Master of All Time, stands as the most extensively studied artist globally. This polymathic genius continues to captivate the imagination, as exemplified by the suspenseful thriller “The Da Vinci Code,” a work of fiction positing that Leonardo embedded intricate clues within his creations. This fascination stems from his embodiment of the universalist spirit of the Renaissance. Among his most iconic drawings, “The Vitruvian Man” has long been a subject of discourse, as scholars endeavor to unveil the concealed secrets behind its depiction of ideal proportions.
