Leonora Hamill – Sculpture I Bombay, 2011
C-type analogue print. (From Art in Progress series)

tips for artists who want to sell. by John Baldessari, 1966-68

“This book traces the wonderful story of Parisian decorative arts from the reign of Louis XIV to the triumph of art nouveau, through a selection of 150 breathtaking, and often little-known, masterpieces from the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.“

Out in May.

“Art and art-related transactions have remained relatively untouched by either Federal or local governments. The raid on Nahmad Gallery is the first significant step in what will evolve our industry into one regulated in a similar fashion to financial institutions. Nahmad is simply the first such action surely to be followed by many more.” 

The bit of the catalogue that says that ”it was most likely a special commission for the Portuguese Royal family” is somehow dubious and a purchase in Lisbon by Dom Fernando seems much more likely, as only his personal collection was divided by his children and second wife.

I could have bought – if only there was justice in the world – many many things, but I had to try to sell instead. If I had to choose one stand – besides Mallett, of course – Neuse’s was definitely the elected, not because of their group of Portuguese salvers, but probably because of the fantastic English tapestry “Don Quixote and Sancho Panza Tilting at Windmills”. Kugel stand was the usual wunderkammer, but nothing really astonishing, though I would have taken the micromosaic inlaid fireplace. (and the Dom Fernando silver gilt ewer – the same sold at Sotheby’s London last year).

Ringo Starr, Peter Sellers & John Cleese, scene from “The Magic Christian”, 1969