“The Scream” from 1895 rendered in pastel on board by Expressionist artist Edvard Munch is arguably one of the art world’s most recognizable images in popular culture today. It was sold on Wednesday, May 2, by Sotheby’s in New York City to a private buyer for a record $119,922,500. The vibrant pastel was conservatively estimated to sell for about $80 million, but two determined bidders competing via telephone resulted in a 15-minute bidding war, driving the price up. As a result, “The Scream” is officially the highest price paid for a painting at auction replacing Pablo Picasso’s previous record-breaking $106 million sale for “Nude, Green Leaves And Bust” from 1932.
This painting is one of four versions of “The Scream” created by Munch in differing media. The National Gallery, Oslo, holds one painted versions from 1893, while the Munch Museum holds the other painted version from 1910, as well as one in pastel and a few sketches on paper that are related to “The Scream.” Later, Munch also created a lithograph of the same image.
Winston Wachter is pleased to announce that the piece “Fog” by Ann Gardner has been acquired by Corning Museum of Glass in New York.
Gardner was also the recipient of the Corning Museum’s 2011 Rakow Commission.
"Fog", Glass, composite material, concrete and stainless steel, 140 x 67 x 32 inches
Thomas Kinkade, the self-described “Painter of Light” died April 6th at the age of 54. Kinkade, who claimed to be “America’s most-collected living artist,” was notable for the mass marketing, reproduction and licensing of his work. Kinkade’s work featured highly idealized “American” scenes and bucolic settings of nature, water, lighthouses, bridges, streets and cottages. Describing himself as a “devote Christian,” Kinkade’s work reflected what he considered to be “Christian ideals” and symbols.
Kinkade’s works are sold via television shopping channels, signature retail gallery franchises and also by mail order. He had numerous licensing and merchandising deals that included puzzles, greeting cards, calendars, Walmart gift cards, knickknacks and night-lights all with his imagery. Controversial in the fine art world not only for the mass commercialization of his idyllic works, Kinkade’s authenticity was often criticized as he would sell “original” works of art which were in fact prints of his work, touched up by “skilled craftsmen.”
Although the exact cause of his death will not be known for several weeks, recent reports suggest that Kinkade may have been drinking the night of his death and had recently struggled with alcoholism. At the time of his death, Kinkade was living with a girlfriend, his estranged wife and four daughters were travelling in Australia at the time of his death.
Internationally renowned Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei, known for his sculpture, installation, architecture, photography and film projects, as well as his political activism and outspoken social criticism, has set up four live webcams at his home. In April of 2011, Ai was unexpectedly arrest by Chinese authorities and detained for nearly 3 months before being charged with tax evasion and release on probation. Ever since, Ai has been living with constant 24-hour police surveillance. Ai installed these webcams, including one above his bed, to draw attention to his situation, explaining to the AFP news agency, “In my life, there is so much surveillance and monitoring… our office has been searched, I have been searched, every day I am being followed, there are surveillance cameras in front of my house.” Ai also explained that by installing the cameras, he hopes to “encourage transparency from all side.”
Ai is currently fighting tax evasion charges that were brought against his company, Fake Cultural Development Ltd, when he was release from detention last year. So far Chinese authorities have upheld the earlier decision to force Ai’s design company to pay $2.4m in fines, imposed by the tax bureau for “back taxes.” Activists continue to argue that the charges are politically motivated and the fine is punishment for Ai’s forthright criticism of the Chinese government.
