Art
Diego Rivera’s Nude Portrait of C. Z. Guest Stars on ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’ – ARTnews
Diego Rivera is known for a multitude of paintings: vast murals that pay homage to the struggle of the proletariat, canvases that alluded to events and people from Mexican history, even still lifes that flirt with the Cubist style coming out of France during the early 20th century.
But a lesser known work by him—a salacious painting of a nude New York socialite—ended up taking the spotlight on Thursday’s episode of the Hulu TV series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, which traces the manipulative friendships between the writer Truman Capote and the moneyed Manhattanites in his circle.
One of those Manhattanites was C. Z. Guest, a debutante turned actress who married Winston Frederick Churchill Guest. Played by Chloë Sevigny in Feud, Guest is remembered for having remained friends with Capote much longer than the other women he claimed to adore.
When it comes to art history, Guest played a bit part, posing for famed artists of her era. The Surrealist Salvador Dalí painted her in one of his dreamy landscapes, coolly seated before galloping equines—an allusion to Guest’s own love for horseback riding and her husband’s career as an international polo champion. The Pop artist Andy Warhol photographed Guest playing out that passion, seated atop one of her horses.
But it is a 1945 Rivera painting of Guest that became the most well-known representation of her—and ended up sealing her fame.
That painting, titled In vinum veritas, features Guest reclining in the buff, her body readily displayed for the viewer. (Images of the work are hard to come by, but one appears in a Christie’s press release from 2015.) She lays amid flowers draped across her, and her cheeks are rosy. If its title, which translates from the Latin to “In wine, there is truth,” is to be heeded, she may already be drunk.
In vinum veritas was painted after Guest had already found a following in New York, having appeared in the Broadway show Ziegfeld Follies, and she had gone to Mexico to raise her profile even more. It worked, and the painting became her calling card abroad. The New York Times even mentioned it in its obituary for Guest when she died in 2003, and in a remembrance, published in the Times the following day, fashion critic Cathy Horyn wrote, “Pity the poor socialite today. She will never know what it’s like to be painted in the nude by Diego Rivera.”
Initially, the nearly-nine-foot-long painting hung in a Mexico City bar called Ciro’s, located at the Hotel Reforma. But once Guest married in 1947, her husband, a prominent polo player with a sizable family steel fortune, saw fit to get In vinum veritas out of public view.
According to the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, which ran an extensive article on the painting in 2005, Winston Frederick Churchill Guest proceeded to buy the painting. It remained stowed away in private for many years, only to reemerge in 1986, four years after he died. The painting then headed to auction at Sotheby’s, where it was reportedly valued at $1.5 million.
Nineteen years later, the owners of Mexico City’s Avril Gallery saw the work in a Miami home. With the journalist Sondra Schneider, they researched the painting and even put it on view at the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach in 2005. In 2015, the painting reappeared at a selling exhibition held by Christie’s.
Still, as Rivera’s works go, this one is a deep cut. But in the lore about Guest, it has occupied a central place. Capote himself wrote of the work, referring to it as “a honey-haired odalisque desnuda.” And Guest even spoke highly of Rivera, noting that he “was very kind, and I became famous.”
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
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
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
Art
Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed
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.
-
Sports24 hours ago
Edmonton Oilers sign defenceman Travis Dermott to professional tryout
-
Sports16 hours ago
Kirk’s walk-off single in 11th inning lifts Blue Jays past Cardinals 4-3
-
Sports23 hours ago
Canada’s Sarah Mitton captures shot put gold at Diamond League in Brussels
-
Sports22 hours ago
Another player from top-ranked Georgia arrested for reckless driving
-
News23 hours ago
Opinions on what Tagovailoa should do next vary after his 3rd concussion since joining Dolphins
-
News22 hours ago
Australia’s Michael Matthews earns third win at Quebec cycling GP
-
News21 hours ago
Kamloops, B.C., man charged with murder in the death of his mother: RCMP
-
Sports22 hours ago
Whitecaps loan Herdman to CPL’s Cavalry, sign two reserve players to first-team deals