Art

Artful lodges: 10 beautiful art hotels in Europe

Published

1 year ago

May 21, 2023

Art’ Otel, London

This new hotel is housed in the reborn Battersea power station complex. There are works displayed in the Grand Café and throughout the communal areas, from striking pieces by the hotel’s signature artist Jaime Hayon, to butter-yellow statues in the marbled lobby. Bedrooms are sleek and contemporary with pops of colour and floor-to-ceiling windows, while higher rooms offer fantastic views across the city. There are daily tours of the collection at 4pm, with the spectacular rooftop bar, pool and restaurant the ideal place for some post-culture down time.
Doubles from £213, room only; artotellondonbattersea.com

Art Luise Kunsthotel, Berlin

Located in the heart of Berlin’s Mitte district, each of the hotel’s 50 bedrooms has been designed by a different artist, encompassing everything from paintings to furniture and linen. The art is hugely diverse, from graffiti daubs by Kiddy Citny – whose much-photographed works have cropped up across Berlin since the mid-80s – to intricate papier-mache installations and abstract canvases. The lobby is dotted with sculptural works and the whole place feels as much like a gallery as a hotel.
Doubles from £110, room only; luise-berlin.com

Byblos Art Hotel, Verona

Set in the vineyards of Valpolicella, the Byblos Art Hotel is housed in a glorious 17th-century baroque villa just outside Verona. The grand reception area is home to an extraordinary collection of modern art from the likes of Damien Hirst, Marina Abramović, Vanessa Beecroft, Marc Quinn, Anish Kapoor, Takashi Murakami, Ron Arad (the list of stellar names goes on and on…) Each of the 59 bedrooms is decorated with original pieces of art while around every corner, on every staircase, there’s an amazing painting or a captivating installation waiting to be enjoyed.
Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Doubles from £270, including breakfast; slh.com

H10 Art Gallery, Barcelona

Every floor at the H10 pays homage to a renowned contemporary artist, with walls, rooms and even bathrooms designed to recreate the style of Joan Miró, Francis Bacon and Henri Matisse among others. Original works and lithographs by artists including Miquelo Barceló hang in the lobby, and the lively bar and restaurant both feature striking contemporary works. The cherry on the cake is the rooftop terrace and pool, with lovely views across the city.
Doubles from £134, room only; h10hotels.com

El Fenn, Marrakech

The first piece of work Vanessa Branson brought to Marrakech to furnish her atmospheric riad was carried in her hand luggage. It was a piece by Bob and Roberta Smith called I Believe in Van Gogh, which she explains set the quirky tone. The intimate hotel, set in the heart of the medina, features key works from her own collection, including Fiona Rae, William Kentridge, Bridget Riley and a couple of David Shrigley installations. While working on the Marrakech Biennale, Branson developed relationships with Moroccan artists, including Leila Alaoui and Hassan Hajjaj (who has just created a spectacular installation, an amazing wall of colourful bottles inspired by the hotel’s stained glass). The impressive El Fenn collection now includes works from artists across the continent including Branson’s favourite, Joana Choumali from Ivory Coast. Perhaps the most startling art work – set against a glorious red wall as you walk from the reception – is a series of black and white photographs of boy soldiers by the South African artist Guy Tillim.
Doubles from £297, including breakfast and afternoon tea; el-fenn.com.

Hôtel des Académies et des Arts, Paris

Once the home of renowned artists Amedeo Modigliani and Tsuguharu Foujita, this 20-bedroom hotel still has the feel of a classic atelier, with a working studio that hosts temporary exhibitions. Bedrooms are classic and unfussy, with lime walls and raw wood; half have ceiling frescoes and all have artworks dotted around the walls. In the basement, the tranquil wellness room is set up for massages and treatments, with yoga classes also on offer.
Doubles from £197, room only; hoteldesacademies.fr

Altstadt, Vienna

Otto Wiesenthal opened the Altstadt hotel more than 30 years ago, partly as a place to house his growing art collection, partly to reinvigorate a classic Viennese palais. Now the 62-room hotel is home to an astonishing array of works by artists including Andy Warhol, Annie Leibovitz and Markus Prachensky – many owned by Wiesenthal, with others on loan from museums. The atmosphere is one of effortless style, with the excellent breakfast sourced from the best of Vienna’s independent producers.
Doubles from £180, B&B; altstadt.at

Villa Copenhagen

There’s art in every corner of this classically Scandi hotel, a 390-room rebirth of the former Danish central post office set in an imposing Neo-Baroque building. Sculptures stand like sentries in the glass-ceiling lobby, bedroom walls are dotted with works by contemporary Danish and European artists, with the hotel’s entire collection worth around $2m. Of the two bars, T37 is the place for expertly mixed cocktails, while the rooftop terrace and lap pool is a great place to start or end the day. Doubles from £229, room only; villacopenhagen.com

Unico Boutique Hotel d’Arte, Mondello, Sicily

All of the art on show in this charming eight-room hotel is for sale, with works dotted throughout the communal areas and exhibited in the private art gallery. The location – a stone’s throw from the Lido di Mondello – means it’s easy to stroll between the beach and the hotel’s shimmering pool, which has glorious views over the Med. Breakfasts are hearty and although there’s no restaurant there are plenty of them just outside the door, with central Palermo a quick taxi hop away.
doubles from £219, room only; unicohoteldarte.it

31.10 Art Hotel, Florence

Florence is one of Europe’s most artistic cities, and hotels can be pricey, making this stylish 13-room boutique hotel a real find. Four of the bedrooms are dedicated to famous Florentines, from Leonardo da Vinci to Piero della Francesca, with wall art, paintings and coffee-table books focusing on their works. The inter-connecting rooms are ideal for families. Breakfasts of fresh pastries and homemade cakes offer the perfect fuel for a day of gallery-hopping.
Doubles from £115, B&B;

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Art

Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork

Published

4 days ago

September 13, 2024

Harry Miller

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.

Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.

Massive Seizure of Artworks

In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.

Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.

Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed

In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.

Court Proceedings Ongoing

The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.

Impact on the Local Art Community

The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.

For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.

As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.

While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.

Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.

As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.

Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

1 month ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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