BY VICTORIA ROMEO
Amidst the multitude of horrors that characterize World War II, the Nazis’ systematic plundering of some of the world’s greatest works of art is one of the lesser known histories.  The Rape of Europa tells this complex tale and its resonating effects in a compelling and eloquent manner.  The film, released in [...]

…and a Happy New Year. Looking forward to some big changes to the site in 2010!

As the feature of an exhibition,16th century religious altarpieces by Paolo Veronese can make for arcane subject matter. This is all well and good for the Old Masters connoisseur. But how does one reach the interests of the masses, whose knowledge of art history is scant at best?
Such an exhibition is currently ongoing at the [...]

These days, announcements of Leonardo discoveries are rather routine. Details surrounding two of the latest cases however-the sudden cooperation of the notorious Italian bureacracy on a long delayed Leonardo excavation, and the use of forensic technology to confirm a previously dubious claim, continue to have us expecting the unexpected.
In 1563, [...]

Health care reform may be dead in the water, but at least the ripple effect of a new US administration has stirred up some priceless works of art. In a motion symbolizing the “strong ties of friendship that continue to bind both countries,” the French Embassy has made the gracious decision to give one of [...]

Despite pressing concerns over internet amnesia, Old Masters/New Perspectives has taken the plunge and  opened up a Twitter account. Here’s a place to address  some of the smaller stories that have recently come across the OMNP radar. For your daily dose of Old Masters related updates, check us out at www.twitter.com/omnp.

In the final post from this weeks wrapup of everything OM in 2009 so far, OMNP takes a look at some of the interesting developments over the past several months.
Outside of market news, the UK National Gallery’s purchase of Titian’s “Diana and Acteon” has been most noteworthy. The allegorical masterpiece had been a part of [...]

Reports from the inaugural “Master Paintings Week” collaboration between London’s Old Master dealers and auction houses have been smashing. For many of the private dealers, business was bountiful. The Antiques Trade Gazette described bustling commerce amidst the distraction of an epic men’s final at Wimbledon, and fortified interest from many of the top [...]

Alleged discoveries of new works involving famous Old Masters undergoes a process of filtration. Each year a slew of claims comes forth-many are dismissed without being considered, some are reported in the press and debated by experts, and a select few are actually proven to be authentic.These are matters that are taken with [...]

Lawrence Salander, former art-dealing titan and a visionary for the Old Masters market, was arrested at his home this morning in Millbrook, NY.  His indictment was formally announced thereafter by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Mr. Salander faces a staggering 100 counts of charges ranging from grand larceny, forgery, perjury, and scheming to defraud.
It’s a [...]

Titian’s “Diana and Acteon,” was recently retained by England, after the 50m GBP was raised to purchase it from the Duke of Sutherland.

OMNP details the recent year that was Old Masters news, sales, and exhibitions.
News Highlights
Christie’s and Sotheby’s Old Master auctions are successes in spite of the art market’s recent struggles
England attempts to save its own “Mona Lisa,” Titian’s “Diana and Acteon,” from being sold on the open market, by raising the funds to meet [...]

Three near-invisible drawings discovered on back of Da Vinci masterpiece [Times UK] [Art Daily]
In what the Times UK described as a scene out of the Da Vinci code, a curator at the Louvre accidentally uncovered a group of never-before seen drawings on the back of “The Virgin and Child [...]

A sales export license for a landscape view by J.M.W Turner (left)”The Pope’s Villa at Twickenham,” has been temporarily denied a sales export license until June 9th by the UK Culture Ministry.

James Wilentz of Old Masters, New Perspectives makes a writing appearance on The Daily Beast. Click HERE for this feature article on current art market turmoil, the stability of Old Masters, and a look back on Art Basel Miami Beach.

A light week of note follows in the wake of defiant success at the Old Master sales in London last week.  Art Observed provided an entire wrap up of the media’s coverage, which can be accessed in the link below.
In other news, a sigh of relief can be taken after a tenebrist masterpiece by Caravaggio, [...]

OMNP has updated the blog into a magazine-style format, for your reading convenience. Featured stories, will now be displayed on a revolving basis in the main preview window, below that major categories of interest have their own columns. All other requisite blog information is posted below..thank you for your patience!

Mystery portrait is Lucrezia Borgia, claims gallery [Ellen Connolly, Guardian UK]
A rather scandalous story lies behind this portrait, claimed to be of the illegitimate child of Cardinal Borgia, by the Northern Renaissance master Dosso Dossi
Missing Van Dyck Portrait to go on show at Tate Britain [Art Daily] [Tate Museum]
Lost painting by Italian master fails to [...]

Unearthed Masterpieces
Old Masters treasures from sunken Russian ship to be salvaged [Russia IC] [Dutch News.nl]
Lets hope that the paintings from this sunken, 237 year-old ship were WELL packaged
Trove of Raeburn drawings discovered in England [ART INFO]
Lost Caravaggio Goes on Display in Scotland [ART INFO]
Click MORE for a remembrance of a distinguished dealer, and the latest [...]

Restoration, attribution, and temporary replacement happen are respective occurrences for different museum masterpieces:
Raphael’s Masterpiece “Madonna of the Goldfinch” Presented Fully Restored After Ten Years [Art Daily]
A before and after look at the recently restored Raphael

Veronese at Austin Museum Belongs to Long-Lost Altarpiece [ART INFO]

Lucian Freud portrait hangs beside Old Masters after collector fills gallery gap [...]