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Rick Steves Just Gave Us His Tips on Finding the Best Art in Europe – Travel + Leisure

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The newest season of “Rick Steves’ Europe,” which premiered at the beginning of October, features 12 episodes showcasing Europe’s great art and architecture, tracing the rise of Western Civilization from the Egyptian pyramids to Picasso.


“Art is the closest thing to a time-tunnel experience we can get in our travels,” Steves said in a recent interview with Travel + Leisure. His passion for teaching art and history while traveling led him to dedicate the entire 12th season of his show to the subject, now on public television stations across the U.S.


Steves, known for his iconic guidebooks and TV series, has always had a profound love for art history, and a deep-rooted desire to share that passion while traveling. While previous seasons of his show usually included a museum stop or an art lesson, each episode was rooted firmly in a specific location.


“It was fun to free myself from having to be in the same city to teach the art,” Steves said. “Now, I could talk about the whole movement.”


An art-focused season has been in the making for 20 years, Steves said, and needed meticulous planning and research. Steves collaborated with different art professors to vet the writing and ensure the accuracy of the information he was presenting.


Courtesy of Rick Steves’ Europe

 

For updated footage, the crew visited a number of cities, including Florence, Rome, Athens, London, Paris, and Madrid. Earlier episodes are dedicated to the art of ancient Greece and Rome, while later episodes get into Renaissance and Baroque art.


“If you understand the art that surrounds you when you travel, that is your little telescope into the past,” Steves said.


In his quest to make European museums more accessible, Steves offered some expert recommendations for travelers seeking to explore the vast world of art and architecture across Europe.


Be selective. Not everything in a museum is worth your attention, Steves said. Choose what you want to see based on your interests, and what the museum is known for. “We all have limited attention spans and limited energy,” he said. “It’s nice to have an excuse to come back. You should not try to exhaust what it has to offer.”


Get comfortable. Make yourself at home in the museum. Take off your coat, check your bag, and spend a few minutes understanding what the museum is all about. Orient yourself, and decide how to approach different wings — whether chronologically, visiting certain artists, or any other way that suits you, Steves said.


Use guided tours. Many museums, churches, and landmarks offer guided tours that provide insight into the artwork and architecture. Steves has actually created a free app called “Rick Steves Audio Europe,” which offers self-guided tours through some of the greatest European museums and cities.


“Art can be fun, but it’s really a matter of how much understanding you bring to it,” Steves said.


Courtesy of Rick Steves’ Europe

 

Understand the historical context of what’s on view. Steves warns travelers against being “chrono-centric” (meaning stuck in our own current time) and to try to see the art from the perspective of the people who lived during that era. “I like to see art in its terms, in its age, with its sensibilities,” Steves said.


Plan ahead. Reservations, especially for the most popular museums and sites, can save you time and frustration. It’s also wise to visit on less crowded days, such as Sundays or Mondays if possible, Steves said. A smart traveler does their research ahead of time on the places they plan to visit, including opening hours, closed days, and any special requirements for entry.


Steves places immense importance on being prepared and open-minded when visiting museums in Europe, ensuring that your cultural exploration is both enjoyable and educational. This season of “Rick Steves’ Europe” is a captivating journey through time and culture, transporting viewers to the heart of Europe’s artistic legacy — hopefully inspiring and educating future travelers, Steves said.


“I love history, I love art, I love tour guiding, and I love how if you mix it together through the travels, it helps people have a more rewarding trip. It broadens our perspectives,” Steves said.


“Rick Steves’ Europe” Season 12 premiered Oct. 1 on public television stations across the country. If you miss an episode, you can find the entire season for free on RickSteves.com.

 

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A misspelled memorial to the Brontë sisters gets its dots back at last

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LONDON (AP) — With a few daubs of a paintbrush, the Brontë sisters have got their dots back.

More than eight decades after it was installed, a memorial to the three 19th-century sibling novelists in London’s Westminster Abbey was amended Thursday to restore the diaereses – the two dots over the e in their surname.

The dots — which indicate that the name is pronounced “brontay” rather than “bront” — were omitted when the stone tablet commemorating Charlotte, Emily and Anne was erected in the abbey’s Poets’ Corner in October 1939, just after the outbreak of World War II.

They were restored after Brontë historian Sharon Wright, editor of the Brontë Society Gazette, raised the issue with Dean of Westminster David Hoyle. The abbey asked its stonemason to tap in the dots and its conservator to paint them.

“There’s no paper record for anyone complaining about this or mentioning this, so I just wanted to put it right, really,” Wright said. “These three Yorkshire women deserve their place here, but they also deserve to have their name spelled correctly.”

It’s believed the writers’ Irish father Patrick changed the spelling of his surname from Brunty or Prunty when he went to university in England.

Raised on the wild Yorkshire moors, all three sisters died before they were 40, leaving enduring novels including Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre,” Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” and Anne’s “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Society, welcomed the restoration.

“As the Brontës and their work are loved and respected all over the world, it’s entirely appropriate that their name is spelled correctly on their memorial,” she said.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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

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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.

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

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

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