A RARE JADE TANKARD INLAID WITH GOLD AND STUDDED WITH RUBIES AND EMERALDS HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE V&A. THE TANKARD WAS ORIGINALLY MADE FOR AN OTTOMAN SULTAN IN THE LATE 16th CENTURY, IN THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF ISTANBUL. A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE OBJECTS WERE PRODUCED AND THIS IS THE FIRST EXAMPLE TO ENTER A BRITISH NATIONAL COLLECTION. THE TANKARD WAS OFFERED TO THE V&A PARTLY THROUGH THE ACCEPTANCE IN LIEU (AIL) SCHEME. THE ART FUND GAVE £220,000 TOWARDS TO PURCHASE, WHICH INCLUDED A CONTRIBUTION FROM THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION. IT COST A TOTAL OF £477,500. THE TANKARD IS A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF HOW THE OTTOMAN COURT BORROWED FORMS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND TURNED THEM INTO STUNNING LUXURY ITEMS. ITS SHAPE IS BASED ON THE INDIGENOUS DRINKING VESSELS USED IN A VARIETY OF BEVERAGES INCLUDING BOZA, THE FERMENTED MILLET DRINK STILL POPULAR IN ANATOLIA AND THE BALKANS. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF WOOD OR LEATHER, IT IS MADE FROM JADE, WHICH HAD TO BE IMPORTED AT HIGH COST, OVER A GREAT DISTANCE FROM CENTRAL ASIA. BY THE 1560s, THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE WAS ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT POWERS, AND THE SULTANS WHO RULED IN THE FOLLOWING DECADES NO LONGER FELT THE NEED TO BORROW ARTISTIC IDEAS FROM THEIR RIVALS. INSTEAD, THEY CELEBRATED THEIR REGIONAL SUPREMACY BY ADOPTING LOCAL FORMS AND RECREATING THEM IN LUXURY MATERIALS FOR USE IN COURT. THIS PARTICULAR TANKARD HAS A DISTINCTIVE FORM, POT-BELLIED IN FRONT AND FLAT AT THE BACK, WHICH SUGGESTS IT HAD A LEATHER PROTOTYPE. IT IS DECORATED WITH A GOLD WIRE INLAY AND GEMSTONE SETTINGS, ARRANGED IN A PATTERN OF FLORAL SPRAYS, WITH A VASE MOTIF ON THE FRONT. IT WAS THE CUSTOM TO SET OBJECTS OF ALL KINDS WITH RUBIES AND OTHER GEMSTONES TO MARK THEM OUT AS COURT OBJECTS. AROUND 1800, THE TANKARD WAS FURTHER EMBELLISHED WITH GOLD FITTINGS IN THE ROCOCO STYLE, CONSISTING OF GEMSET GOLD MOUNTS AROUND THE FOOT, THE RIM AND THE LID AND THE DISTINCTIVE CURVED HANDLE. SIR MARK JONES, DIRECTOR OF THE V&A SAID: 'THIS TANKARD IS A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF OTTOMAN ART. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE V&A OR ANY OTHER COLLECTION IN BRITAIN.'

V&A ACQUIRE RARE OTTOMAN EMPIRE JADE TANKARD

A RARE JADE TANKARD INLAID WITH GOLD AND STUDDED WITH RUBIES AND EMERALDS HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE V&A. THE TANKARD WAS ORIGINALLY MADE FOR AN OTTOMAN SULTAN IN THE LATE 16th CENTURY, IN THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF ISTANBUL. A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE OBJECTS WERE PRODUCED AND THIS IS THE FIRST EXAMPLE TO ENTER A BRITISH NATIONAL COLLECTION. THE TANKARD WAS OFFERED TO THE V&A PARTLY THROUGH THE ACCEPTANCE IN LIEU (AIL) SCHEME. THE ART FUND GAVE £220,000 TOWARDS TO PURCHASE, WHICH INCLUDED A CONTRIBUTION FROM THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION. IT COST A TOTAL OF £477,500. THE TANKARD IS A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF HOW THE OTTOMAN COURT BORROWED FORMS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND TURNED THEM INTO STUNNING LUXURY ITEMS. ITS SHAPE IS BASED ON THE INDIGENOUS DRINKING VESSELS USED IN A VARIETY OF BEVERAGES INCLUDING BOZA, THE FERMENTED MILLET DRINK STILL POPULAR IN ANATOLIA AND THE BALKANS. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF WOOD OR LEATHER, IT IS MADE FROM JADE, WHICH HAD TO BE IMPORTED AT HIGH COST, OVER A GREAT DISTANCE FROM CENTRAL ASIA. BY THE 1560s, THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE WAS ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT POWERS, AND THE SULTANS WHO RULED IN THE FOLLOWING DECADES NO LONGER FELT THE NEED TO BORROW ARTISTIC IDEAS FROM THEIR RIVALS. INSTEAD, THEY CELEBRATED THEIR REGIONAL SUPREMACY BY ADOPTING LOCAL FORMS AND RECREATING THEM IN LUXURY MATERIALS FOR USE IN COURT. THIS PARTICULAR TANKARD HAS A DISTINCTIVE FORM, POT-BELLIED IN FRONT AND FLAT AT THE BACK, WHICH SUGGESTS IT HAD A LEATHER PROTOTYPE. IT IS DECORATED WITH A GOLD WIRE INLAY AND GEMSTONE SETTINGS, ARRANGED IN A PATTERN OF FLORAL SPRAYS, WITH A VASE MOTIF ON THE FRONT. IT WAS THE CUSTOM TO SET OBJECTS OF ALL KINDS WITH RUBIES AND OTHER GEMSTONES TO MARK THEM OUT AS COURT OBJECTS. AROUND 1800, THE TANKARD WAS FURTHER EMBELLISHED WITH GOLD FITTINGS IN THE ROCOCO STYLE, CONSISTING OF GEMSET GOLD MOUNTS AROUND THE FOOT, THE RIM AND THE LID AND THE DISTINCTIVE CURVED HANDLE. SIR MARK JONES, DIRECTOR OF THE V&A SAID: 'THIS TANKARD IS A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF OTTOMAN ART. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE V&A OR ANY OTHER COLLECTION IN BRITAIN.'

V&A ACQUIRE RARE OTTOMAN EMPIRE JADE TANKARD

POLICE QUESTIONED WITNESSES ON MONDAY IN THEIR SEARCH FOR A MAN WHO TOOK A HAMMER TO A CONTROVERSIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF A CRUCIFIX BATHED IN URINE AT AN ART EXHIBITION IN AN AVIGNON MUSEUM. THE MODERN ART MUSEUM, THE COLLECTION LAMBERT, IN SOUTHERN FRANCE, SAID AN ASSAILANT DESTROYED THE PHOTOGRAPH BY AMERICAN ARTIST ANDRES SERRANO, 'IMMERSION (PISS CHRIST)' ON SUNDAY AND APPARENTLY ACCIDENTALLY DAMAGED ANOTHER OF THE ARTIST'S WORKS WHILE STRUGGLING WITH A GUARD. IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY CLEAR WHETHER THE ASSAILANT WAS PART OF A DEMONSTRATION A DAY EARLIER BY A RIGHT-WING GROUP DENOUNCING THE 1987 PHOTOGRAPH AS BLASPHEMOUS AND DEMANDING ITS REMOVAL FROM THE EXHIBITION, ENTITLED 'I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES'. ACCORDING TO POLICE, CITING WITNESSES, TWO PEOPLE TRIED TO ENTER THE MUSEUM LATE SUNDAY MORNING CARRYING A CAN OF SPRAY PAINT AND A CHISEL IN THEIR JACKETS. THE GUARD REMOVED THE OBJECTS, JUST AS A THIRD PERSON TOOK A HAMMER TO 'IMMERSION'. THE ATTACKER STRUGGLED WITH A GUARD, BUT HELPED BY AN ACCOMPLICE, MANAGED TO ESCAPE, POLICE SAID. IN THE STRUGGLE, HE APPARENTLY DAMAGED ANOTHER WORK, 'THE CHURCH (SISTER JEANNE-MYRIAM)', WHICH SHOWS A NUN PRAYING. THE MUSEUM'S DOORS WERE SHUT MONDAY FOR ITS WEEKLY CLOSING. HOWEVER, IT SAID IT WILL REOPEN TUESDAY WITH THE DESTROYED WORKS ON DISPLAY SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THE DAMAGE. THE MUSEUM CLOSED EARLY SUNDAY BECAUSE OF PROTEST OF THE PROTEST. SERRANO MADE THE CONTROVERSIAL WORK BY PLACING A CRUCIFIX IN URINE AND BLOOD, AND IT HAD DRAWN CRITICISM IN THE PAST FROM SOME CHRISTIAN GROUPS. YOUNG FAR-RIGHT CHRISTIAN ACTIVISTS FROM THE GENERAL ALLIANCE AGAINST RACISM AND FOR THE RESPECT OF THE FRENCH AND CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IS THE COLLECTION LAMBERT TO COURT WEDNESDAY TO TRY TO HAVE THE CRUCIFIX PHOTOGRAPH REMOVED FROM THE EXHIBIT. THE GROUP DENOUNCED THE PHOTOGRAPH ON ITS WEBSITE, SAYING IT 'INSULTS AND INJURES CHRISTIANS AT THE HEART OF THEIR FAITH'. THE EXHIBIT OPENED 12.DECEMBER.2010 AND IS TO RUN UNTIL 8.MAY.

CONTROVERSIAL ARTWORK DAMAGED BY ASSAILANT

POLICE QUESTIONED WITNESSES ON MONDAY IN THEIR SEARCH FOR A MAN WHO TOOK A HAMMER TO A CONTROVERSIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF A CRUCIFIX BATHED IN URINE AT AN ART EXHIBITION IN AN AVIGNON MUSEUM. THE MODERN ART MUSEUM, THE COLLECTION LAMBERT, IN SOUTHERN FRANCE, SAID AN ASSAILANT DESTROYED THE PHOTOGRAPH BY AMERICAN ARTIST ANDRES SERRANO, 'IMMERSION (PISS CHRIST)' ON SUNDAY AND APPARENTLY ACCIDENTALLY DAMAGED ANOTHER OF THE ARTIST'S WORKS WHILE STRUGGLING WITH A GUARD. IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY CLEAR WHETHER THE ASSAILANT WAS PART OF A DEMONSTRATION A DAY EARLIER BY A RIGHT-WING GROUP DENOUNCING THE 1987 PHOTOGRAPH AS BLASPHEMOUS AND DEMANDING ITS REMOVAL FROM THE EXHIBITION, ENTITLED 'I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES'. ACCORDING TO POLICE, CITING WITNESSES, TWO PEOPLE TRIED TO ENTER THE MUSEUM LATE SUNDAY MORNING CARRYING A CAN OF SPRAY PAINT AND A CHISEL IN THEIR JACKETS. THE GUARD REMOVED THE OBJECTS, JUST AS A THIRD PERSON TOOK A HAMMER TO 'IMMERSION'. THE ATTACKER STRUGGLED WITH A GUARD, BUT HELPED BY AN ACCOMPLICE, MANAGED TO ESCAPE, POLICE SAID. IN THE STRUGGLE, HE APPARENTLY DAMAGED ANOTHER WORK, 'THE CHURCH (SISTER JEANNE-MYRIAM)', WHICH SHOWS A NUN PRAYING. THE MUSEUM'S DOORS WERE SHUT MONDAY FOR ITS WEEKLY CLOSING. HOWEVER, IT SAID IT WILL REOPEN TUESDAY WITH THE DESTROYED WORKS ON DISPLAY SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THE DAMAGE. THE MUSEUM CLOSED EARLY SUNDAY BECAUSE OF PROTEST OF THE PROTEST. SERRANO MADE THE CONTROVERSIAL WORK BY PLACING A CRUCIFIX IN URINE AND BLOOD, AND IT HAD DRAWN CRITICISM IN THE PAST FROM SOME CHRISTIAN GROUPS. YOUNG FAR-RIGHT CHRISTIAN ACTIVISTS FROM THE GENERAL ALLIANCE AGAINST RACISM AND FOR THE RESPECT OF THE FRENCH AND CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IS THE COLLECTION LAMBERT TO COURT WEDNESDAY TO TRY TO HAVE THE CRUCIFIX PHOTOGRAPH REMOVED FROM THE EXHIBIT. THE GROUP DENOUNCED THE PHOTOGRAPH ON ITS WEBSITE, SAYING IT 'INSULTS AND INJURES CHRISTIANS AT THE HEART OF THEIR FAITH'. THE EXHIBIT OPENED 12.DECEMBER.2010 AND IS TO RUN UNTIL 8.MAY.

CONTROVERSIAL ARTWORK DAMAGED BY ASSAILANT

GROUND WAS BROKEN FOR THE EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE UNITED STATES, SITUATED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON. THE HISTORIC PROJECT WILL STAND BESIDE THE EXISTING JOHN F KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM, ENCOURAGING VISITORS TO EXPLORE BOTH BUILDINGS. THE NEW FACILITY WILL HOUSE PARTICIPATORY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN THE SYSTEMS OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF THE US SENATE'S ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT. THE FACILITY WILL CONSIST OF ROUGHLY 40,000 SQUARE FEET OF PROGRAM SPACE, COMPRISED MAINLY OF CLASSROOM, EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS, AND A REPRESENTATION OF THE SENATE CHAMBER. THE INSTITUTE'S OVERALL SITE PLAN HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO WORK IN HARMONY WITH IM PEI'S NEIGHBORING JOHN F KENNEDY LIBRARY. THE DESIGN INCLUDES AN INNOVATIVE COMPOSITE CLADDING, WHICH WRAPS THE EXTERIOR OF THE CHAMBER REPRESENTATION. THE CLADDING IS VISUALLY SEPARATED FROM THE 1-STORY VOLUME BY A RIBBON SKYLIGHT, WHICH RUNS ABOVE THE GROUND-FLOOR EXHIBITION SPACE. THE COMPLETE DEVELOPMENT WILL BOAST A LARGE EXPANSE OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE, GUIDING VISITORS TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE BUILDING. THE PUBLIC GREEN SPACE IS BORDERED BY TWO TRIANGULAR VOLUMES, WHICH DEFINE THE ENTRY TO THE BUILDING AND GEOMETRICALLY CONNECT THE INSTITUTE TO THE JOHN F KENNED LIBRARY. THE EXTERIOR OPEN SPACE IS A LINK BETWEEN THE INSTITUTE, THE JOHN F KENNEDY LIBRARY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON CAMPUS, WHILE ALSO ACTING AS A CONNECTION TO THE WATERFRONT AND BOSTON HARBOR WALK. THE ENTRANCE APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO INCORPORATE COMPONENTS FROM EACH OF THE 50 STATES AND ENHANCE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BUILDING AND THE ENTIRE NATION. THE SENATE CHAMBER REPRESENTATION IS THE HEART OF THE INSTITUTE, AND WILL FACILITATE INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUCH AS AN IMMERSIVE MULTI-PLAYER SOCIAL EXPERIENCE, ACTIVATED BY 100 INTERACTIVE DESKS, BRINGING PARTICIPATING DEEP INSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH GAME DESIGNER ERIC ZIMMERMAN, THE ROLE-PLAYING EXPERIENCE WILL GUIDE GROUPS THROUGH HISTORICALLY ACCURATE EVENTS, WITH THE VISITORS DETERMINING THE OUTCOME. HIGHLY SOCIAL BY DESIGN, THE IMMERSIVE ACTIVITIES WILL ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE IN NEGOTIATION, DEBATE, CAUCUSES AND VOTES. THE INSTITUTE WILL ALSO FEATURE A RECREATION OF THE ACTUAL OFFICE OF SENATOR KENNEDY.

EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE UNITED STATES BREAKS GROUND IN BOSTON

GROUND WAS BROKEN FOR THE EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE UNITED STATES, SITUATED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON. THE HISTORIC PROJECT WILL STAND BESIDE THE EXISTING JOHN F KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM, ENCOURAGING VISITORS TO EXPLORE BOTH BUILDINGS. THE NEW FACILITY WILL HOUSE PARTICIPATORY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN THE SYSTEMS OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF THE US SENATE'S ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT. THE FACILITY WILL CONSIST OF ROUGHLY 40,000 SQUARE FEET OF PROGRAM SPACE, COMPRISED MAINLY OF CLASSROOM, EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS, AND A REPRESENTATION OF THE SENATE CHAMBER. THE INSTITUTE'S OVERALL SITE PLAN HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO WORK IN HARMONY WITH IM PEI'S NEIGHBORING JOHN F KENNEDY LIBRARY. THE DESIGN INCLUDES AN INNOVATIVE COMPOSITE CLADDING, WHICH WRAPS THE EXTERIOR OF THE CHAMBER REPRESENTATION. THE CLADDING IS VISUALLY SEPARATED FROM THE 1-STORY VOLUME BY A RIBBON SKYLIGHT, WHICH RUNS ABOVE THE GROUND-FLOOR EXHIBITION SPACE. THE COMPLETE DEVELOPMENT WILL BOAST A LARGE EXPANSE OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE, GUIDING VISITORS TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE BUILDING. THE PUBLIC GREEN SPACE IS BORDERED BY TWO TRIANGULAR VOLUMES, WHICH DEFINE THE ENTRY TO THE BUILDING AND GEOMETRICALLY CONNECT THE INSTITUTE TO THE JOHN F KENNED LIBRARY. THE EXTERIOR OPEN SPACE IS A LINK BETWEEN THE INSTITUTE, THE JOHN F KENNEDY LIBRARY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON CAMPUS, WHILE ALSO ACTING AS A CONNECTION TO THE WATERFRONT AND BOSTON HARBOR WALK. THE ENTRANCE APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO INCORPORATE COMPONENTS FROM EACH OF THE 50 STATES AND ENHANCE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BUILDING AND THE ENTIRE NATION. THE SENATE CHAMBER REPRESENTATION IS THE HEART OF THE INSTITUTE, AND WILL FACILITATE INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUCH AS AN IMMERSIVE MULTI-PLAYER SOCIAL EXPERIENCE, ACTIVATED BY 100 INTERACTIVE DESKS, BRINGING PARTICIPATING DEEP INSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH GAME DESIGNER ERIC ZIMMERMAN, THE ROLE-PLAYING EXPERIENCE WILL GUIDE GROUPS THROUGH HISTORICALLY ACCURATE EVENTS, WITH THE VISITORS DETERMINING THE OUTCOME. HIGHLY SOCIAL BY DESIGN, THE IMMERSIVE ACTIVITIES WILL ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE IN NEGOTIATION, DEBATE, CAUCUSES AND VOTES. THE INSTITUTE WILL ALSO FEATURE A RECREATION OF THE ACTUAL OFFICE OF SENATOR KENNEDY.

EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR THE UNITED STATES BREAKS GROUND IN BOSTON

GLASS ARTIST DALE CHIHULY SAYS HIS WELL OF INSPIRATION NEVER RUNS DRY, EVEN AFTER SOME 40 YEARS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF HIS MEDIUM. 'JUST WORKING WITH THE MATERIAL BRINGS FORTH A LOT OF IDEAS, IN BOTH THE GLASS BLOWING AND IN WORKING WITH THE GLASS AFTER IT'S BEEN BLOWN', CHIHULY SAID ON THE SIDELINES OF HIS MAJOR NEW EXHIBIT AT BOSTON'S MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. 'CHIHULY: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS', 12 INSTALLATIONS THAT LIVE UP TO THEIR ALICE IN WONDERLAND BILLING, OPENS ON 10.APRIL AND WILL RUN THROUGH AUGUST IN THE RECENTLY OPENED ART OF THE AMERICAS WING. THE EXHIBIT FEATURES A MIX OF NEW AND EARLY WORKS FROM CHIHULY, PERHAPS THE FOREMOST ARTIST NOW WORKING IN GLASS AND, WITH HIS DISTINCTIVE CURLY HAIR AND EYE PATCH, CERTAINLY THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE. THE INSTALLATIONS CONTAIN SOME 7,000 INDIVIDUAL PIECES, INCLUDING MILLE FIORI (ITALIAN FOR 'A THOUSAND FLOWERS'), A 58 FOOT LONG INSTALLATION DISPLAYED IN A DARKENED ROOM. NEODYMIUM REEDS ON LOGS IS A SERIES OF TALL, PURPLE GLASS RODS SET AGAINST FRESHLY-CUT MAINE BIRCH, WHILE PERSIAN CEILING EVOKES A MADLY COLOURED SEASCAPE. THE 42 FOOT TALL LIME GREEN ICICLE TOWER, INSTALLED IN A HIGH-CEILINGED COURTYARD, WEIGHS SOME 10,000 POUNDS AND COMPRISES OVER 2,300 INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF GLASS. 'I TEND TO DO THINGS ON A HUGE SCALE BECAUSE IT'S EXCITING. I LIKE TO PUSH THINGS IN NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS', CHIHULY SAID. 'MY PHILOSOPHY IS: WHEN ONE IS GOOD, A DOZEN IS BETTER.' 'THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS' WAS SOME 18 MONTHS IN THE PLANNING AND CONCEPTION BEFORE ARRIVING IN BOSTON IN SIX GIANT CONTAINERS FOR A THREE-WEEK ASSEMBLY MARATHON. THE WORKS WERE CREATED IN CHIHULY'S TWO FACILITIES IN SEATTLE, THE BOATHOUSE, THE 'HOT SHOP' WHERE THE GLASS PIECES ARE BLOWN, AND THE BALLARD STUDIO, WHICH HAS 25 FOOT CEILINGS TO HELP PUT LARGE INSTALLATIONS TOGETHER. CHIHULY SAID HE DOESN'T TRY TO ANTICIPATE HOW VIEWERS WILL RESPOND TO HIS CREATIONS, BUT HOPES HIS WORK WILL LIFT UP THEIR SPIRITS. 'PEOPLE RESPOND TO THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY. IF YOU COULD RECORD WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING, THERE WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS VARIATION', HE SAID.

MFA, BOSTON, TO PRESENT 'CHIHULY: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS'

GLASS ARTIST DALE CHIHULY SAYS HIS WELL OF INSPIRATION NEVER RUNS DRY, EVEN AFTER SOME 40 YEARS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF HIS MEDIUM. 'JUST WORKING WITH THE MATERIAL BRINGS FORTH A LOT OF IDEAS, IN BOTH THE GLASS BLOWING AND IN WORKING WITH THE GLASS AFTER IT'S BEEN BLOWN', CHIHULY SAID ON THE SIDELINES OF HIS MAJOR NEW EXHIBIT AT BOSTON'S MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. 'CHIHULY: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS', 12 INSTALLATIONS THAT LIVE UP TO THEIR ALICE IN WONDERLAND BILLING, OPENS ON 10.APRIL AND WILL RUN THROUGH AUGUST IN THE RECENTLY OPENED ART OF THE AMERICAS WING. THE EXHIBIT FEATURES A MIX OF NEW AND EARLY WORKS FROM CHIHULY, PERHAPS THE FOREMOST ARTIST NOW WORKING IN GLASS AND, WITH HIS DISTINCTIVE CURLY HAIR AND EYE PATCH, CERTAINLY THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE. THE INSTALLATIONS CONTAIN SOME 7,000 INDIVIDUAL PIECES, INCLUDING MILLE FIORI (ITALIAN FOR 'A THOUSAND FLOWERS'), A 58 FOOT LONG INSTALLATION DISPLAYED IN A DARKENED ROOM. NEODYMIUM REEDS ON LOGS IS A SERIES OF TALL, PURPLE GLASS RODS SET AGAINST FRESHLY-CUT MAINE BIRCH, WHILE PERSIAN CEILING EVOKES A MADLY COLOURED SEASCAPE. THE 42 FOOT TALL LIME GREEN ICICLE TOWER, INSTALLED IN A HIGH-CEILINGED COURTYARD, WEIGHS SOME 10,000 POUNDS AND COMPRISES OVER 2,300 INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF GLASS. 'I TEND TO DO THINGS ON A HUGE SCALE BECAUSE IT'S EXCITING. I LIKE TO PUSH THINGS IN NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS', CHIHULY SAID. 'MY PHILOSOPHY IS: WHEN ONE IS GOOD, A DOZEN IS BETTER.' 'THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS' WAS SOME 18 MONTHS IN THE PLANNING AND CONCEPTION BEFORE ARRIVING IN BOSTON IN SIX GIANT CONTAINERS FOR A THREE-WEEK ASSEMBLY MARATHON. THE WORKS WERE CREATED IN CHIHULY'S TWO FACILITIES IN SEATTLE, THE BOATHOUSE, THE 'HOT SHOP' WHERE THE GLASS PIECES ARE BLOWN, AND THE BALLARD STUDIO, WHICH HAS 25 FOOT CEILINGS TO HELP PUT LARGE INSTALLATIONS TOGETHER. CHIHULY SAID HE DOESN'T TRY TO ANTICIPATE HOW VIEWERS WILL RESPOND TO HIS CREATIONS, BUT HOPES HIS WORK WILL LIFT UP THEIR SPIRITS. 'PEOPLE RESPOND TO THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY. IF YOU COULD RECORD WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING, THERE WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS VARIATION', HE SAID.

MFA, BOSTON, TO PRESENT 'CHIHULY: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS'

PROVENANCE RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON (MFA), HAS RESULTED IN NEW DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OWNERSHIP OF FOUR 17th CENTURY TAPESTRIES IN THE MFA's COLLECTION. THE MUSEUM's RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THE TAPESTRIES, GIVEN TO THE MFA IN THE 1950s BY EUGENE GARBATY, A GERMAN JEWISH ART COLLECTOR AND REFUGEE, HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN A FORCED SALE IN 1935 OF THE STOCK OF THE ART DEALER MARGRAF & CO IN BERLIN, A FIRM RUN BY JAKOB AND ROSA OPPENHEIMER. THE MFA CONTACTED THE OPPENHEIMER HEIRS IN 2010 TO INFORM THEM OF THE DISCOVERY AND TO BEGIN SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS, WHICH CONCLUDED RECENTLY. THE FOUR TAPESTRIES (EACH MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 222 x 48 INCHES) WERE PART OF A LARGER SERIES THAT DEPICTED THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF POPE URBAN VIII. THE ENTIRE SERIES, BEGUN IN 1663 AND FINISHED IN 1679, WAS COMMISSIONED AFTER THE POPE'S DEATH BY HIS NEPHEW, CARDINAL FRANCESCO BARBERINI. THE TAPESTRIES HUNG IN THE BARBERINI PALACE IN ROME UNTIL THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY, WHEN THE SERIES WAS DISASSEMBLED AND SOLD. ORIGINALLY, THERE WERE 34 TAPESTRIES MADE OUT OF COLOURFUL WOOL AND SILK. AMONG THEM WERE 10 LARGER NARRATIVE PANELS, OF WHICH NINE ARE NOW IN THE VATICAN MUSEUM IN ROME, AND ONE IS IN THE MUSEES ROYAUX D'ART ET HISTOIRE IN BRUSSELS. THE SERIES ALSO INCLUDES 10 HORIZONTAL BORDER PANELS, CALLED FRIEZES, AND 14 VERTICAL BORDER PANELS, KNOWN AS PILASTERS. BY 1928, EIGHT OF THE PILASTERS FROM THE SERIES, INCLUDING THE FOUR AT THE MFA, WERE OWNED BY MARGRAF IN BERLIN. IN 1933, THE OPPENHEIMERS, WHO WERE JEWISH, FLED GERMANY TO AVOID NAZI PERSECUTION AND RELOCATED TO FRANCE. IN THEIR ABSENCE, THEY WERE FORCED OUT OF THEIR MANAGEMENT ROLES AT MAGRAF AND WERE FORBIDDEN FROM PERFORMING ANY LEGAL TRANSACTIONS FOR THE COMPANY. AS A WELL-KNOWN JEWISH BUSINESS, MARGRAF WAS DISSOLVED BY THE NAZI REGIME, ITS GALLERY STOCK SOLD OFF QUICKLY AND AT LOW PRICES IN A SERIES OF AUCTION HELD IN BERLIN IN 1935. THE EIGHT BARBERINI TAPESTRIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE MARGRAF LIQUIDATION SALE HELD AT THE AUCTION HOUSE PAUL GRAUPE ON 26-27.APRIL.1935. DISCOVERY OF THIS INFORMATION BY VICTORIA REED, THE MFA's MONICA S SADLER CURATOR FOR PROVENANCE, HELPED TO DETERMINE THAT THE TAPESTRIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE FORCED SALE, FROM WHICH THE OPPENHEIMERS WERE UNABLE TO REALIZE THE PROCEEDS. THE MUSEUM THEN CONTACTED THEIR HEIRS. JAKOB AND ROSA OPPENHEIMER LOST THEIR LIVES BEFORE THE END OF WORLD WAR II. AFTER THE WAR, THE BUSINESS SHARES IN MARGRAF WERE LEGALLY TRANSFERRED TO THEIR HEIRS, BUT ALMOST NONE OF THE GALLERY'S ARTWORK WAS RECOVERED.

MFA, BOSTON, DISCOVERS PROVENANCE OF 17th CENTURY TAPESTRIES

PROVENANCE RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON (MFA), HAS RESULTED IN NEW DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OWNERSHIP OF FOUR 17th CENTURY TAPESTRIES IN THE MFA's COLLECTION. THE MUSEUM's RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THE TAPESTRIES, GIVEN TO THE MFA IN THE 1950s BY EUGENE GARBATY, A GERMAN JEWISH ART COLLECTOR AND REFUGEE, HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN A FORCED SALE IN 1935 OF THE STOCK OF THE ART DEALER MARGRAF & CO IN BERLIN, A FIRM RUN BY JAKOB AND ROSA OPPENHEIMER. THE MFA CONTACTED THE OPPENHEIMER HEIRS IN 2010 TO INFORM THEM OF THE DISCOVERY AND TO BEGIN SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS, WHICH CONCLUDED RECENTLY. THE FOUR TAPESTRIES (EACH MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 222 x 48 INCHES) WERE PART OF A LARGER SERIES THAT DEPICTED THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF POPE URBAN VIII. THE ENTIRE SERIES, BEGUN IN 1663 AND FINISHED IN 1679, WAS COMMISSIONED AFTER THE POPE'S DEATH BY HIS NEPHEW, CARDINAL FRANCESCO BARBERINI. THE TAPESTRIES HUNG IN THE BARBERINI PALACE IN ROME UNTIL THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY, WHEN THE SERIES WAS DISASSEMBLED AND SOLD. ORIGINALLY, THERE WERE 34 TAPESTRIES MADE OUT OF COLOURFUL WOOL AND SILK. AMONG THEM WERE 10 LARGER NARRATIVE PANELS, OF WHICH NINE ARE NOW IN THE VATICAN MUSEUM IN ROME, AND ONE IS IN THE MUSEES ROYAUX D'ART ET HISTOIRE IN BRUSSELS. THE SERIES ALSO INCLUDES 10 HORIZONTAL BORDER PANELS, CALLED FRIEZES, AND 14 VERTICAL BORDER PANELS, KNOWN AS PILASTERS. BY 1928, EIGHT OF THE PILASTERS FROM THE SERIES, INCLUDING THE FOUR AT THE MFA, WERE OWNED BY MARGRAF IN BERLIN. IN 1933, THE OPPENHEIMERS, WHO WERE JEWISH, FLED GERMANY TO AVOID NAZI PERSECUTION AND RELOCATED TO FRANCE. IN THEIR ABSENCE, THEY WERE FORCED OUT OF THEIR MANAGEMENT ROLES AT MAGRAF AND WERE FORBIDDEN FROM PERFORMING ANY LEGAL TRANSACTIONS FOR THE COMPANY. AS A WELL-KNOWN JEWISH BUSINESS, MARGRAF WAS DISSOLVED BY THE NAZI REGIME, ITS GALLERY STOCK SOLD OFF QUICKLY AND AT LOW PRICES IN A SERIES OF AUCTION HELD IN BERLIN IN 1935. THE EIGHT BARBERINI TAPESTRIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE MARGRAF LIQUIDATION SALE HELD AT THE AUCTION HOUSE PAUL GRAUPE ON 26-27.APRIL.1935. DISCOVERY OF THIS INFORMATION BY VICTORIA REED, THE MFA's MONICA S SADLER CURATOR FOR PROVENANCE, HELPED TO DETERMINE THAT THE TAPESTRIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE FORCED SALE, FROM WHICH THE OPPENHEIMERS WERE UNABLE TO REALIZE THE PROCEEDS. THE MUSEUM THEN CONTACTED THEIR HEIRS. JAKOB AND ROSA OPPENHEIMER LOST THEIR LIVES BEFORE THE END OF WORLD WAR II. AFTER THE WAR, THE BUSINESS SHARES IN MARGRAF WERE LEGALLY TRANSFERRED TO THEIR HEIRS, BUT ALMOST NONE OF THE GALLERY'S ARTWORK WAS RECOVERED.

MFA, BOSTON, DISCOVERS PROVENANCE OF 17th CENTURY TAPESTRIES

THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM, BOSTON, ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF A NEWLY DESIGNED EXPLORATORY WEBSITE. IN ADDITION TO STRUCTURAL AND NAVIGATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, THE MUSEUM'S NEW WEBSITE AIMS TO ENGAGE ONLINE VISITORS WITH MEANINGFUL EXPLORATIONS THAT REFLECT THE UNIQUE, MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCES OF A PHYSICAL VISIT TO THE GARDNER MUSEUM AND ITS INTERIOR COURTYARD AND GALLERIES. THE SITE'S LANDING PAGE, ORGANIZED AROUND THE HISTORIC GALLERIES AND FLOORS OF THE MUSEUM, SHOWCASES A MOSAIC OF IMAGES LEADING TO A SELECTION OF ALMOST 300 OBJECTS OF ART, WHICH CAN BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH TRADITIONAL AND HISTORIC MATERIAL. THE DESIGN FOR THE SITE DIMINISHES THE CONCEPT OF A TRADITIONAL HOMEPAGE BY INVITING VISITORS TO VIRTUALLY EXPLORE THE GALLERIES AND COLLECTION: TO LISTEN TO AUDIO; TO READ ARCHIVAL EXCERPTS; TO LOOK CLOSELY AT WORKS OF ART; AND TO DISCOVER DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE COLLECTION OR NEW WORKS BY VISITING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS. THIS EXPLORATION IMPROVES ACCESSIBILITY TO THE GARDNER MUSEUM'S COLLECTION AND ENCOURAGES CONNECTIONS ACROSS MUSEUM DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAMS AND MEDIA THROUGH A USER-DRIVEN PATH THAT PROVIDES A PERSONALIZED WEB EXPERIENCE. THE NEW WEBSITE AT www.gardnermuseum.org WAS LAUNCHED ON 8.MARCH FOR A QUIET PHASE, FOLLOWING A YEAR OF CONCEPTUAL PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK WITH AWARD-WINNING WEB DESIGN FIRM TENDER CREATIVE, BASED IN NEW YORK. IN THE WEEKS SINCE ITS LAUNCH, www.gardnermuseum.org HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN DAILY PAGE VIEWS OF ALMOST 100%.

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM, BOSTON, ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF A NEWLY DESIGNED EXPLORATORY WEBSITE. IN ADDITION TO STRUCTURAL AND NAVIGATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, THE MUSEUM'S NEW WEBSITE AIMS TO ENGAGE ONLINE VISITORS WITH MEANINGFUL EXPLORATIONS THAT REFLECT THE UNIQUE, MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCES OF A PHYSICAL VISIT TO THE GARDNER MUSEUM AND ITS INTERIOR COURTYARD AND GALLERIES. THE SITE'S LANDING PAGE, ORGANIZED AROUND THE HISTORIC GALLERIES AND FLOORS OF THE MUSEUM, SHOWCASES A MOSAIC OF IMAGES LEADING TO A SELECTION OF ALMOST 300 OBJECTS OF ART, WHICH CAN BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH TRADITIONAL AND HISTORIC MATERIAL. THE DESIGN FOR THE SITE DIMINISHES THE CONCEPT OF A TRADITIONAL HOMEPAGE BY INVITING VISITORS TO VIRTUALLY EXPLORE THE GALLERIES AND COLLECTION: TO LISTEN TO AUDIO; TO READ ARCHIVAL EXCERPTS; TO LOOK CLOSELY AT WORKS OF ART; AND TO DISCOVER DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE COLLECTION OR NEW WORKS BY VISITING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS. THIS EXPLORATION IMPROVES ACCESSIBILITY TO THE GARDNER MUSEUM'S COLLECTION AND ENCOURAGES CONNECTIONS ACROSS MUSEUM DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAMS AND MEDIA THROUGH A USER-DRIVEN PATH THAT PROVIDES A PERSONALIZED WEB EXPERIENCE. THE NEW WEBSITE AT www.gardnermuseum.org WAS LAUNCHED ON 8.MARCH FOR A QUIET PHASE, FOLLOWING A YEAR OF CONCEPTUAL PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK WITH AWARD-WINNING WEB DESIGN FIRM TENDER CREATIVE, BASED IN NEW YORK. IN THE WEEKS SINCE ITS LAUNCH, www.gardnermuseum.org HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN DAILY PAGE VIEWS OF ALMOST 100%.

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

ONE OF IMPRESSIONIST MASTER CLAUDE MONET'S 'WATER LILIES' TRIPTYCHS, SEPARATED 50 YEARS AGO AND SOLD TO THREE MUSEUM, HAS BEEN REUNITED IN A MULTIFACETED EXHIBIT THAT HIGHLIGHTS NOT ONLY THE THREE-PANEL ARTWORK, BUT THE ARTIST TOO. 'I THINK ALL OF US THINK OF MONET AS THIS FATHER OF IMPRESSIONISM, AS THIS PAINTER WHO WAS SPONTANEOUS, WHO PAINTED OUTDOORS IN HIS GARDEN', SAID NICOLE MYERS, ASSOCIATE CURATOR AT THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART, KANSAS CITY, MO, WHERE 'MONET'S WATER LILIES' OPENS 9.APRIL. 'THAT WAS CERTAINLY TRUE. HE PRESENTED HIMSELF THAT WAY PUBLICLY, REALLY TO THE END OF HIS LIFE.' BUT MONET HAD ANOTHER SIDE THAT'S ALSO DETAILED IN THE EXHIBITION, WHICH ENDS 7.AUGUST BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM AND THEN TO THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART. 'WITH THESE LATER PAINTINGS FROM THE 20th CENTURY THAT HE'S WORKING ON, YOU SEE THE SORT OF OBSESSIVE, ALMOST OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE, ARTIST WHO CAME INDOORS AND WORKED TIRELESSLY MAKING REVISIONS AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THIS KIND OF OBSESSIVE WAY', SHE SAID. IT'S UNCLEAR IF MONET EVER CONSIDERED THE THREE PANELS FINISHED, SHE SAID. 'AND IT REALLY BLOWS OUT OF THE WATER THIS IMPRESSION WE HAVE OF THIS MAN WHO JUST SORT OF DASHED OFF HIS FIRST THOUGHTS AND LEFT THINGS ALONE. HE WORKED ON THEM ALMOST CONSISTENTLY FROM 1915 TO 1926', MYERS SAID. THE THREE PANELS, EACH 6 FOOT TALL AND 14 FEET WIDE, LANGUISHED IN MONET'S STUDIO AT GIVERNY OUTSIDE PARIS AFTER HIS DEATH IN 1926, MYERS SAID. THE PIECES ON DISPLAY AT THE NELSON-ATKINS COMPRISE ONE OF TWO OF MONET'S WATER LILY TRIPTYCHS IN THE US. THE OTHER IS AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART IN NEW YORK, WHERE THEY ARE A STEADY, POPULAR SELECTION. THE TRIPTYCH AT THE NELSON-ATKINS WAS BROUGHT TO NEW YORK IN THE 1950s. IT WAS THEN SEPARATED, AND THE INDIVIDUAL PANELS WERE SOLD TO THE ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM, THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART AND THE NELSON-ATKINS. IT HS BEEN MORE THAN 30 YEARS HOWEVER, SINCE THEY WERE SHOWN AS MONET INTENDED FOR THEM TO BE SEEN, TOGETHER. 'SO FOR A NEW GENERATION THIS IS REALLY A FIRST TIME TO GET THE CHANCE TO SEE THESE GREAT PAINTINGS COME TOGETHER', MYERS SAID.

NELSON-ATKINS TO PRESENT MONET 'WATER LILIES' TRIPTYCH

ONE OF IMPRESSIONIST MASTER CLAUDE MONET'S 'WATER LILIES' TRIPTYCHS, SEPARATED 50 YEARS AGO AND SOLD TO THREE MUSEUM, HAS BEEN REUNITED IN A MULTIFACETED EXHIBIT THAT HIGHLIGHTS NOT ONLY THE THREE-PANEL ARTWORK, BUT THE ARTIST TOO. 'I THINK ALL OF US THINK OF MONET AS THIS FATHER OF IMPRESSIONISM, AS THIS PAINTER WHO WAS SPONTANEOUS, WHO PAINTED OUTDOORS IN HIS GARDEN', SAID NICOLE MYERS, ASSOCIATE CURATOR AT THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART, KANSAS CITY, MO, WHERE 'MONET'S WATER LILIES' OPENS 9.APRIL. 'THAT WAS CERTAINLY TRUE. HE PRESENTED HIMSELF THAT WAY PUBLICLY, REALLY TO THE END OF HIS LIFE.' BUT MONET HAD ANOTHER SIDE THAT'S ALSO DETAILED IN THE EXHIBITION, WHICH ENDS 7.AUGUST BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM AND THEN TO THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART. 'WITH THESE LATER PAINTINGS FROM THE 20th CENTURY THAT HE'S WORKING ON, YOU SEE THE SORT OF OBSESSIVE, ALMOST OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE, ARTIST WHO CAME INDOORS AND WORKED TIRELESSLY MAKING REVISIONS AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THIS KIND OF OBSESSIVE WAY', SHE SAID. IT'S UNCLEAR IF MONET EVER CONSIDERED THE THREE PANELS FINISHED, SHE SAID. 'AND IT REALLY BLOWS OUT OF THE WATER THIS IMPRESSION WE HAVE OF THIS MAN WHO JUST SORT OF DASHED OFF HIS FIRST THOUGHTS AND LEFT THINGS ALONE. HE WORKED ON THEM ALMOST CONSISTENTLY FROM 1915 TO 1926', MYERS SAID. THE THREE PANELS, EACH 6 FOOT TALL AND 14 FEET WIDE, LANGUISHED IN MONET'S STUDIO AT GIVERNY OUTSIDE PARIS AFTER HIS DEATH IN 1926, MYERS SAID. THE PIECES ON DISPLAY AT THE NELSON-ATKINS COMPRISE ONE OF TWO OF MONET'S WATER LILY TRIPTYCHS IN THE US. THE OTHER IS AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART IN NEW YORK, WHERE THEY ARE A STEADY, POPULAR SELECTION. THE TRIPTYCH AT THE NELSON-ATKINS WAS BROUGHT TO NEW YORK IN THE 1950s. IT WAS THEN SEPARATED, AND THE INDIVIDUAL PANELS WERE SOLD TO THE ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM, THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART AND THE NELSON-ATKINS. IT HS BEEN MORE THAN 30 YEARS HOWEVER, SINCE THEY WERE SHOWN AS MONET INTENDED FOR THEM TO BE SEEN, TOGETHER. 'SO FOR A NEW GENERATION THIS IS REALLY A FIRST TIME TO GET THE CHANCE TO SEE THESE GREAT PAINTINGS COME TOGETHER', MYERS SAID.

NELSON-ATKINS TO PRESENT MONET 'WATER LILIES' TRIPTYCH

A WOMAN ACCUSED OF POUNDING ON A PAINTING BY PAUL GAUGUIN AND TRYING TO RIP IT FROM A WALL AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART TOLD POLICE THE POST-IMPRESSIONIST ARTIST WAS EVIL AND THE PAINTING SHOULD BE BURNED, COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW. SUSAN BURNS, OF ARLINGTON VA, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE THEFT AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY FOLLOWING THE ATTACK FRIDAY. SHE WAS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL PENDING A MENTAL HEALTH HEARING TUESDAY. THE GAUGUIN PAINTING 'TWO TAHITIAN WOMEN', VALUED AT AN ESTIMATED $80 MILLION, WAS NOT DAMAGED AND WILL GO BACK ON VIEW, THE NATIONAL GALLERY SAID IN A STATEMENT. THE PICTURE IS ON LOAN FROM THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK FOR AN EXHIBIT TITLED 'GAUGUIN: MAKER OF MYTH'. THE PAINTING DEPICTS TWO WOMEN STANDING NEXT TO EACH OTHER, ONE WITH BOTH BREASTS EXPOSED AND THE OTHER WITH ONE BREAST SHOWING. ACCORDING TO CHARGING DOCUMENTS, AN INVESTIGATOR TOLD BURNS HER RIGHTS AND ASKED WHY SHE HAD TRIED TO REMOVE THE PAINTING. 'I FEEL THAT GAUGUIN IS EVIL. HE HAS NUDITY AND IS BAD FOR CHILDREN. HE HAS TWO WOMEN IN THE PAINTING AND IT'S VERY HOMOSEXUAL. I WAS TRYING TO REMOVE IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE BURNED', ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENTS. BURNS ALSO SAID: 'I AM FROM THE AMERICAN CIA AND I HAVE A RADIO IN MY HEAD. I AM GOING TO KILL YOU.' BURNS' ATTORNEY, SHARON WEATHERS, DECLINED TO COMMENT MONDAY. BURNS APPROACHED THE PAINTING AROUND 4.45p FRIDAY, GRABBED THE FRAME AND PULLED THE BOTTOM PART OFF THE WALL, CAUSING SCREWS TO FALL TO THE FLOOR, ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES. SHE THEN BEGAN BANGING ON THE MIDDLE OF THE PAINTING WITH HER FIST. BURNS WAS QUICKLY APPREHENDED BY THE MUSEUM'S FEDERAL PROTECTION SERVICES OFFICERS. THE PAINTING WAS PROTECTED BY A TRANSPARENT PLASTIC SHIELD. IT WAS THE FIRST DOCUMENTED CASE OF SOMEONE TRYING TO DEFACE A PAINTING AT THE GALLERY SINCE THE 1970s, SPOKESWOMAN DEBORAH ZISKA SAID. SHE SAID THE GALLERY'S SECURITY PROCEDURES WORKED. BURNS HAS BEEN ARRESTED SEVERAL TIMES. SHE SERVED SIX MONTHS IN JAIL AFTER A 2006 CONVICTION FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON A POLICE OFFICER. IN 2002, SHE WAS CONVICTED OF MISDEMEANOR TRESPASSING. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, VANDALISM AND A SEPARATE ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER, BUT PROSECUTORS DECLINED TO PURSUE THOSE CASES, VIRGINIA COURT RECORDS SHOW.

WOMAN ATTACKS GAUGUIN PAINTING AT NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

A WOMAN ACCUSED OF POUNDING ON A PAINTING BY PAUL GAUGUIN AND TRYING TO RIP IT FROM A WALL AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART TOLD POLICE THE POST-IMPRESSIONIST ARTIST WAS EVIL AND THE PAINTING SHOULD BE BURNED, COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW. SUSAN BURNS, OF ARLINGTON VA, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE THEFT AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY FOLLOWING THE ATTACK FRIDAY. SHE WAS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL PENDING A MENTAL HEALTH HEARING TUESDAY. THE GAUGUIN PAINTING 'TWO TAHITIAN WOMEN', VALUED AT AN ESTIMATED $80 MILLION, WAS NOT DAMAGED AND WILL GO BACK ON VIEW, THE NATIONAL GALLERY SAID IN A STATEMENT. THE PICTURE IS ON LOAN FROM THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK FOR AN EXHIBIT TITLED 'GAUGUIN: MAKER OF MYTH'. THE PAINTING DEPICTS TWO WOMEN STANDING NEXT TO EACH OTHER, ONE WITH BOTH BREASTS EXPOSED AND THE OTHER WITH ONE BREAST SHOWING. ACCORDING TO CHARGING DOCUMENTS, AN INVESTIGATOR TOLD BURNS HER RIGHTS AND ASKED WHY SHE HAD TRIED TO REMOVE THE PAINTING. 'I FEEL THAT GAUGUIN IS EVIL. HE HAS NUDITY AND IS BAD FOR CHILDREN. HE HAS TWO WOMEN IN THE PAINTING AND IT'S VERY HOMOSEXUAL. I WAS TRYING TO REMOVE IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE BURNED', ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENTS. BURNS ALSO SAID: 'I AM FROM THE AMERICAN CIA AND I HAVE A RADIO IN MY HEAD. I AM GOING TO KILL YOU.' BURNS' ATTORNEY, SHARON WEATHERS, DECLINED TO COMMENT MONDAY. BURNS APPROACHED THE PAINTING AROUND 4.45p FRIDAY, GRABBED THE FRAME AND PULLED THE BOTTOM PART OFF THE WALL, CAUSING SCREWS TO FALL TO THE FLOOR, ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES. SHE THEN BEGAN BANGING ON THE MIDDLE OF THE PAINTING WITH HER FIST. BURNS WAS QUICKLY APPREHENDED BY THE MUSEUM'S FEDERAL PROTECTION SERVICES OFFICERS. THE PAINTING WAS PROTECTED BY A TRANSPARENT PLASTIC SHIELD. IT WAS THE FIRST DOCUMENTED CASE OF SOMEONE TRYING TO DEFACE A PAINTING AT THE GALLERY SINCE THE 1970s, SPOKESWOMAN DEBORAH ZISKA SAID. SHE SAID THE GALLERY'S SECURITY PROCEDURES WORKED. BURNS HAS BEEN ARRESTED SEVERAL TIMES. SHE SERVED SIX MONTHS IN JAIL AFTER A 2006 CONVICTION FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON A POLICE OFFICER. IN 2002, SHE WAS CONVICTED OF MISDEMEANOR TRESPASSING. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, VANDALISM AND A SEPARATE ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER, BUT PROSECUTORS DECLINED TO PURSUE THOSE CASES, VIRGINIA COURT RECORDS SHOW.

WOMAN ATTACKS GAUGUIN PAINTING AT NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT OPENED IN 1914, THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM'S 4,000 SQUARE FOOT TAPESTRY ROOM IS BEING RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY AND WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE ITS PLACE AS ONE OF THE NATION'S GREAT TAPESTRY HALLS. THE RESTORATION OF THE BELOVED SPACE WILL RETURN THE TAPESTRY ROOM TO ITS ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION FOR ITS FIRST TIME SINCE A TEMPORARY STAGE, CHAIRS, AND OTHER MODERN ELEMENTS WERE ADDED TO ACCOMMODATE FORMAL CONCERTS IN THE EARLY 1970s. HISTORICALLY, THE TAPESTRY ROOM HAS BEEN A GALLERY AND HOME TO MANY OF THE MUSEUM'S PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE POPULAR SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES. NOW, AS PART OF THE GARDNER MUSEUM'S EXTENSION AND PRESERVATION PROJECT, THE MUSEUM'S WORLD CLASS CONCERTS WILL BE RELOCATED TO AN INTIMATE NEW PERFORMANCE HALL IN THE RENZO PIANO-DESIGNED ADDITION, AND THE GARDNER WILL BE ABLE TO RESTORE THE SPACE TO ITS HISTORIC APPEARANCE, ENABLING VISITORS TO SEE AND ENJOY THE TAPESTRY ROOM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 40 YEARS. NO EVENT PROGRAMMING IS SCHEDULED FOR 2011 IN THE TAPESTRY ROOM; PROGRAMMING WILL RESUME IN 2012 IN THE NEW WING AND THE GALLERY WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THEN SO THAT VISITORS CAN VIEW THE CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION WORK TAKING PLACE. THE REINSTALLED TAPESTRY ROOM WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED AS PART OF THE MUSEUM'S GRAND OPENING FOR ITS NEW WING IN JANUARY 2012. 'ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOALS OF THE NEW WING IS THE RELOCATION OF PROGRAMMING WHICH HAS OUTGROWN THE HISTORIC GALLERIES', SAYS ANNE HAWLEY, THE NORMA JEAN CALDERWOOD DIRECTOR OF THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM. 'THE TAPESTRY ROOM IS PERHAPS THE MOST DRAMATIC EXAMPLE OF THAT AS IT HAD BECOME THE HUB OF THE MUSEUM'S LARGEST AND MOST POPULAR PROGRAMMING AND HAD LOST ITS FOCUS AS A GALLERY. THIS EFFORT RETURNS THE SPACE INTO A BEAUTIFUL GALLERY FOR VIEWING TAPESTRIES, SOMETHING AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF VISITORS HAS NOT EXPERIENCED.' THE NEW 70,000 SQUARE FOOT WING DESIGNED BY RENZO PIANO INCLUDES PURPOSE-BUILT SPACES FOR MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES FORMALLY HELD IN THE TAPESTRY ROOM, SUCH AS LECTURES, VISITOR ORIENTATION AND THE SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES. WHILE OCCASIONAL SMALLER MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND TALKS WILL CONTINUE IN THE REINSTALLED SPACE, THE TAPESTRY ROOM WILL SERVE PRIMARILY AS A GRAND GALLERY FOR VIEWING TAPESTRIES AND OTHER WORKS OF ART. CURATORIAL AND CONVERSATION STAFFS HAVE PLANNED THE PRESERVATION AND RE-INSTALLATION OF THE TAPESTRY ROOM BASED ON HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MUSEUM'S ARCHIVES, WHICH WERE TAKEN IN 1915, 1916, AND 1926 BY PHOTOGRAPHER T.E. MARR AND SON. THE PHOTOGRAPHS REVEAL A PIANO PLACED IN FRONT OF THE LATE 14th CENTURY FRENCH FIREPLACE AND AN ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE AND OBJECTS IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY. CONSERVATION TREATMENT WILL ENCOMPASS CLEANING, RESTORATION AND RE-INSTALLATION OF MANY PARTS OF THE GALLERY, INCLUDING ITS MERCER-TILED FLOORS AND FRENCH MEDIEVAL STONE FIREPLACE, SELECT ART AND FURNITURE OBJECTS, AND NEW LIGHTING. THE HISTORIC ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY AND OTHER VIGNETTES AROUND THE WINDOWS AS DEPICTED IN EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS ALSO WILL BE RESTORED. TWO OF THE MOST STRIKING AREAS WILL BE THE CONSERVATION OF THE MASSIVE FIREPLACE AND THE PAINTING OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL BY PEDRO GARCIA DE BENABARRE THAT HANGS ABOVE IT, AND AN ARRANGEMENT OF TEN SIDE CHAIRS UPHOLSTERED IN 18th CENTURY NETHERLANDISH PAINTED LEATHER THAT WILL BE RE-INSTALLED AROUND A 17th CENTURY DUTCH TABLE IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY. ADDITIONALLY, LIGHTING UPGRADES WILL ENHANCE THE GALLERY'S HISTORIC ATMOSPHERE, REDUCE HARMFUL LIGHT ON THE COLLECTION AND IMPROVE VISIBILITY. EIGHTEEN TEXTILE PROJECTS ARE INCLUDE IN THE ROOM REFURBISHMENT PLANS. THEY INCLUDE CONSERVING ORIGINAL TEXTILES, RE-UPHOLSTERING FURNITURE, AND REPLACING MISSING, DAMAGED OR INAPPROPRIATE FURNISHING TEXTILES. TWO TAPESTRIES WILL BE REINSTATED TO THEIR ORIGINAL 1926 POSITIONS.

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM RESTORES TAPESTRY ROOM TO FORMER GLORY

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT OPENED IN 1914, THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM'S 4,000 SQUARE FOOT TAPESTRY ROOM IS BEING RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY AND WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE ITS PLACE AS ONE OF THE NATION'S GREAT TAPESTRY HALLS. THE RESTORATION OF THE BELOVED SPACE WILL RETURN THE TAPESTRY ROOM TO ITS ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION FOR ITS FIRST TIME SINCE A TEMPORARY STAGE, CHAIRS, AND OTHER MODERN ELEMENTS WERE ADDED TO ACCOMMODATE FORMAL CONCERTS IN THE EARLY 1970s. HISTORICALLY, THE TAPESTRY ROOM HAS BEEN A GALLERY AND HOME TO MANY OF THE MUSEUM'S PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE POPULAR SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES. NOW, AS PART OF THE GARDNER MUSEUM'S EXTENSION AND PRESERVATION PROJECT, THE MUSEUM'S WORLD CLASS CONCERTS WILL BE RELOCATED TO AN INTIMATE NEW PERFORMANCE HALL IN THE RENZO PIANO-DESIGNED ADDITION, AND THE GARDNER WILL BE ABLE TO RESTORE THE SPACE TO ITS HISTORIC APPEARANCE, ENABLING VISITORS TO SEE AND ENJOY THE TAPESTRY ROOM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 40 YEARS. NO EVENT PROGRAMMING IS SCHEDULED FOR 2011 IN THE TAPESTRY ROOM; PROGRAMMING WILL RESUME IN 2012 IN THE NEW WING AND THE GALLERY WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THEN SO THAT VISITORS CAN VIEW THE CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION WORK TAKING PLACE. THE REINSTALLED TAPESTRY ROOM WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED AS PART OF THE MUSEUM'S GRAND OPENING FOR ITS NEW WING IN JANUARY 2012. 'ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOALS OF THE NEW WING IS THE RELOCATION OF PROGRAMMING WHICH HAS OUTGROWN THE HISTORIC GALLERIES', SAYS ANNE HAWLEY, THE NORMA JEAN CALDERWOOD DIRECTOR OF THE ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM. 'THE TAPESTRY ROOM IS PERHAPS THE MOST DRAMATIC EXAMPLE OF THAT AS IT HAD BECOME THE HUB OF THE MUSEUM'S LARGEST AND MOST POPULAR PROGRAMMING AND HAD LOST ITS FOCUS AS A GALLERY. THIS EFFORT RETURNS THE SPACE INTO A BEAUTIFUL GALLERY FOR VIEWING TAPESTRIES, SOMETHING AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF VISITORS HAS NOT EXPERIENCED.' THE NEW 70,000 SQUARE FOOT WING DESIGNED BY RENZO PIANO INCLUDES PURPOSE-BUILT SPACES FOR MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES FORMALLY HELD IN THE TAPESTRY ROOM, SUCH AS LECTURES, VISITOR ORIENTATION AND THE SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES. WHILE OCCASIONAL SMALLER MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND TALKS WILL CONTINUE IN THE REINSTALLED SPACE, THE TAPESTRY ROOM WILL SERVE PRIMARILY AS A GRAND GALLERY FOR VIEWING TAPESTRIES AND OTHER WORKS OF ART. CURATORIAL AND CONVERSATION STAFFS HAVE PLANNED THE PRESERVATION AND RE-INSTALLATION OF THE TAPESTRY ROOM BASED ON HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MUSEUM'S ARCHIVES, WHICH WERE TAKEN IN 1915, 1916, AND 1926 BY PHOTOGRAPHER T.E. MARR AND SON. THE PHOTOGRAPHS REVEAL A PIANO PLACED IN FRONT OF THE LATE 14th CENTURY FRENCH FIREPLACE AND AN ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE AND OBJECTS IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY. CONSERVATION TREATMENT WILL ENCOMPASS CLEANING, RESTORATION AND RE-INSTALLATION OF MANY PARTS OF THE GALLERY, INCLUDING ITS MERCER-TILED FLOORS AND FRENCH MEDIEVAL STONE FIREPLACE, SELECT ART AND FURNITURE OBJECTS, AND NEW LIGHTING. THE HISTORIC ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY AND OTHER VIGNETTES AROUND THE WINDOWS AS DEPICTED IN EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS ALSO WILL BE RESTORED. TWO OF THE MOST STRIKING AREAS WILL BE THE CONSERVATION OF THE MASSIVE FIREPLACE AND THE PAINTING OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL BY PEDRO GARCIA DE BENABARRE THAT HANGS ABOVE IT, AND AN ARRANGEMENT OF TEN SIDE CHAIRS UPHOLSTERED IN 18th CENTURY NETHERLANDISH PAINTED LEATHER THAT WILL BE RE-INSTALLED AROUND A 17th CENTURY DUTCH TABLE IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY. ADDITIONALLY, LIGHTING UPGRADES WILL ENHANCE THE GALLERY'S HISTORIC ATMOSPHERE, REDUCE HARMFUL LIGHT ON THE COLLECTION AND IMPROVE VISIBILITY. EIGHTEEN TEXTILE PROJECTS ARE INCLUDE IN THE ROOM REFURBISHMENT PLANS. THEY INCLUDE CONSERVING ORIGINAL TEXTILES, RE-UPHOLSTERING FURNITURE, AND REPLACING MISSING, DAMAGED OR INAPPROPRIATE FURNISHING TEXTILES. TWO TAPESTRIES WILL BE REINSTATED TO THEIR ORIGINAL 1926 POSITIONS.

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM RESTORES TAPESTRY ROOM TO FORMER GLORY

THE J PAUL GETTY MUSEUM HAS AGREED TO RETURN A 370 YEAR OLD PAINTING THAT ONCE BELONGED TO AN ART DEALER WHO FLED HOLLAND WHEN THE NAZIS INVADED IN 1940. JACQUES GOUDSTIKKER WAS THE NETHERLANDS' BIGGEST ART DEALER IN THE 1930s. HE WAS FLEEING THE NAZIS WITH HIS WIFE AND YOUNG SON AT THE BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR II WHEN HE FELL THROUGH A TRAP DOOR ON AN OUTBOUND SHIP AND DIED. HIS COLLECTION WAS LOOTED, WITH SOME WORKS CLAIMED BY HITLER CHIEF DEPUTY HERMANN GOERING. GOUDSTIKKER'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, MAREI VON SAHER, HAS SPENT YEARS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE WORKS. HER SUCCESSES HAVE BEEN ON TOUR AROUND THE COUNTRY IN AN EXHIBITION THAT ENDS TUESDAY IN SAN FRANSISCO AND FEATURED 45 RECOVERED PIECES FROM THE COLLECTION. THE GETTY BOUGHT THE 1640 PIETER MOLIJN PAINTING TITLED 'LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE AND FIGURES' IN GOOD FAITH AT A 1972 AUCTION, THE MUSEUM SAID. THE MUSEUM DID NOT DISCLOSE THE PURCHASE PRICE AND HAS NEVER DISPLAYED THE PAINTING. 'WORKING IN COOPERATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOUDSTIKKER HEIRS, THE GETTY'S RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THE PAINTING WAS IN GOUDSTIKKER'S INVENTORY AT THE TIME OF THE INVASION IN 1940, AND THAT IT WAS NEVER RESTITUTED AFTER WORLD WAR II', ACCORDING TO A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE MUSEUM. 'BASED ON IT'S FINDINGS, THE GETTY CONCLUDED THAT THE PAINTING SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE HEIRS.' AT LEAST FOUR OTHER MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA HAVE WORKS FROM THE COLLECTION, AND FAMILY ATTORNEY LAWRENCE KAYE SAID HE HOPES THEY WILL FOLLOW GETTY'S LEAD. ABOUT 1,000 OF GOUDSTIKKER'S 1,400 PAINTINGS REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR, HE SAID. 'IT IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGING TO SEE AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL INSTITUTION LIKE THE GETTY MUSEUM DECIDE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR HOLOCAUST VICTIMS AND THEIR HEIRS', VON SAHER, OF GREENWICH, CONN, SAID IN A STATEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

GETTY MUSEUM RETURNS WORLD WAR II LOOTED PAINTING

THE J PAUL GETTY MUSEUM HAS AGREED TO RETURN A 370 YEAR OLD PAINTING THAT ONCE BELONGED TO AN ART DEALER WHO FLED HOLLAND WHEN THE NAZIS INVADED IN 1940. JACQUES GOUDSTIKKER WAS THE NETHERLANDS' BIGGEST ART DEALER IN THE 1930s. HE WAS FLEEING THE NAZIS WITH HIS WIFE AND YOUNG SON AT THE BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR II WHEN HE FELL THROUGH A TRAP DOOR ON AN OUTBOUND SHIP AND DIED. HIS COLLECTION WAS LOOTED, WITH SOME WORKS CLAIMED BY HITLER CHIEF DEPUTY HERMANN GOERING. GOUDSTIKKER'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, MAREI VON SAHER, HAS SPENT YEARS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE WORKS. HER SUCCESSES HAVE BEEN ON TOUR AROUND THE COUNTRY IN AN EXHIBITION THAT ENDS TUESDAY IN SAN FRANSISCO AND FEATURED 45 RECOVERED PIECES FROM THE COLLECTION. THE GETTY BOUGHT THE 1640 PIETER MOLIJN PAINTING TITLED 'LANDSCAPE WITH COTTAGE AND FIGURES' IN GOOD FAITH AT A 1972 AUCTION, THE MUSEUM SAID. THE MUSEUM DID NOT DISCLOSE THE PURCHASE PRICE AND HAS NEVER DISPLAYED THE PAINTING. 'WORKING IN COOPERATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOUDSTIKKER HEIRS, THE GETTY'S RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THE PAINTING WAS IN GOUDSTIKKER'S INVENTORY AT THE TIME OF THE INVASION IN 1940, AND THAT IT WAS NEVER RESTITUTED AFTER WORLD WAR II', ACCORDING TO A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE MUSEUM. 'BASED ON IT'S FINDINGS, THE GETTY CONCLUDED THAT THE PAINTING SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE HEIRS.' AT LEAST FOUR OTHER MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA HAVE WORKS FROM THE COLLECTION, AND FAMILY ATTORNEY LAWRENCE KAYE SAID HE HOPES THEY WILL FOLLOW GETTY'S LEAD. ABOUT 1,000 OF GOUDSTIKKER'S 1,400 PAINTINGS REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR, HE SAID. 'IT IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGING TO SEE AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL INSTITUTION LIKE THE GETTY MUSEUM DECIDE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR HOLOCAUST VICTIMS AND THEIR HEIRS', VON SAHER, OF GREENWICH, CONN, SAID IN A STATEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

GETTY MUSEUM RETURNS WORLD WAR II LOOTED PAINTING