Tag: European Art

Rare Byzantine Treasure Resurrected: Restoring the Sacred ‘Ierosolimitiko’ Icon Unites Past and Present

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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 KuruรงeลŸme’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’s Ideal Horse has been Found!

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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.

Salvator Mundi: a Bone of Contention โ€“ Prominent Art Restorer Speaks Out

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Salvator Mundi is a remarkable painting by Leonardo da Vinci, known for its record-breaking sale of $450 million. This renowned artwork possesses a long and intriguing history, with some experts dating its creation back to the late 1490s, while others argue it was completed after 1500. There is a theory suggesting that it may have been commissioned for King Louis XII of France and his consort, Anne of Brittany, possibly soon after the conquests of Milan and Genoa. However, it is important to note that not all historians accept this theory. By delving into the painting’s history from its inception to the present day, we can observe the impact of the art market, pricing, and the various interventions it has undergone.

NordArt 2023: Exploring ‘Mythos Europa’ through ANTOINETTE’s Works of Art | VIDEO

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The highly anticipated NordArt 2023 exhibition brings forth an extraordinary collection, unveiling a selection of ANTOINETTE’s remarkable artworks from her renowned picture cycle, “Myth of Europe.” Notably, the exhibition proudly presents drawings featuring towering figures reaching an impressive height of 2.5 meters. Over the past two decades, NordArt has firmly established itself as a prominent fixture among European art fairs, attracting an estimated 100,000 art enthusiasts from Germany and beyond. Spanning an expansive area of more than 20,000m2 indoors and 80,000m2 outdoors, this year’s event promises ample room to showcase a portion of ANTOINETTE’s captivating 250-piece art cycle, “Mythos Europa.”

The “Byzantine Mona Lisa” Discovered in Istanbul

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In a church on the Princes’ Islands of Istanbul, a masterpiece and Byzantine treasure awaited discovery. This unique bilateral post-Byzantine icon of Panagia Eleousa held a peculiar feature: on its reverse side, there was another painted icon from the 14th century, which had remained “hidden” for over a hundred years inside a heavy metal box, kept in the Church of Panagia Eleousa on Bรผyรผkada/Pringipos. This magnificent, rare, and unique artifact, often regarded as the Byzantine Mona Lisa, has endured through the centuries, conveying numerous historical, social, and artistic messages. With the expertise of a conservator, who tends to it as an art doctor, it has been safeguarded for future generations. Currently, this masterpiece is housed at the Church of Panagia Eleousa in Bรผyรผkada/Pringipos, Istanbul.

Tectonic Worlds Collide in The Perfect Storm! A Collaborative Exhibition by Katrin Fridriks and Jan Kalรกb at BC Gallery in Basel | VIDEO

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They say opposites attract and similarities repel, however, some beg to differ, and in reality, mash ups and diversity always create unique and beautiful creatures. This holds true and is the case proven with decadent artworks in the exhibition, The Perfect Storm, a quintessential collection by Katrin Fridriks and Jan Kalรกb debuting at BC Gallery in Basel. Together, Katrin and Jan have found the ultimate sweet spot of their individual artistic expression to radiate into a new realm with breathtaking pieces evoking sensory stimulations, where you canโ€™t look away and become happily lost within its movements and colors.ย 

Jan Kalรกb’s “Beyond the Atolls” opens at Regina Gallery in Seoul, Korea | VIDEO

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โ€œThis exhibition is inspired by colors, and shapes which could be found in underwater life. So is the significance of the exhibit title refers to hidden, and very fragile treasures of mother nature. It is my first solo show with Regina gallery in Korea, though weโ€™ve worked together for three years before this, however, due to the pandemic, naturally, our plans were postponed until this moment. This show encompasses entirely new work, and are paintings assembled from multiple canvases to create organic compositions; mostly, relief canvases, and one suspended installation,โ€ says Jan about the show.

MEDEA Contemporary Art Exhibition curated by Demetrio Paparoniย 

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The exhibition includes works by 17 artists created specifically on the theme of Medea,ย one of the most famous and controversial characters in Greek mythology. It reveals the extent to which the story of the sorceress, infanticide in Euripidesโ€™ย narration, still affects the imagination of our times. Through the unprecedented gazeย of contemporary artists from different geographical areas โ€“ from Northern Europe toย China, from the Caucasus region to South-East Asia, as well as Italy โ€“ the exhibitionย highlights the inseparable link between Siracusa and ancient theatre. Classical tragedy is thus revived in Siracusa through contemporary artistic expressions also in theย field of visual arts.

Vivienne Becker’s Jewellery Designer Vivarium at GemGenรจve

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This May, the Designer Vivarium is set to return to GemGenรจve, featuring five international contemporary designers, with four of them being new to the Vivarium, presenting their work at GemGenรจve for the first time. As usual, the Designer Vivarium is curated by renowned jewellery historian, Vivienne Becker, who meticulously scouts the globe for fresh and creative talent, seeking out independent, under-the-radar designer jewellers, artists, and goldsmiths who have something unique to offer in their jewellery. Becker’s discerning eye seeks out a strong, singular creative vision, intense individuality, and sophistication of craftsmanship.

Exclusive Interview with Renowned Senior Expert Artworks Conservator & Restorer Venizelos G. Gavrilakis | Part 1

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VENIS STUDIOSย is a company thatย undertakes conservation and restoration projects of all fixed and portable works of art such as paintings, icon panels, artworks, antiques, historical monuments, etc., in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Jordan, United States, and many other nations. Its purpose is to save artifacts and artworks by combining science with art. Recently, The World Art News had the pleasure to interview its President, Venizelos G. Gavrilakis, who shared with us fascinating images, stories, and facts about his unique art career. Here’s Part 1 of that conversation.