Shrinking Art Publications

I learned recently that a major auction house will be shrinking the size of their catalogs. Sotheby’s has reportedly decided to minimize the size of their auction catalogs in order to cut cost. This does not surprise me when many publications are now either smaller in size, have fewer pages or no longer exists.

Unfortunately, many organizations today that produce a paper publication are looking at the options of creating a smaller item and/or develop a digital format. As far as I am concerned this is fine as long as it is not an art publication. The economy may be driving a lot of this but I also believe that many companies are using this as an opportunity to make some type of change.

Where does this leave those of us who prefer a more personal encounter with art on paper? I have always preferred viewing something in hand versus a computer screen. Perhaps being born years before the computer age has something to do with this. I believe and hope this is just a temporary trend.

You can find great selection of art books, art catalogs and magazine back issues at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

More Art Fakes

I recently read an article commenting on a new Frida Kahlo book. The book, Finding Frida Kahlo, is to be published this November. It appears that scholars have suggested that the paintings, diaries and archival materials that are featured in the book are fake.

This topic of art forgeries is common. I believe there have been several articles about fake art in the media in the last year. There of course are the recent two books on Vermeer: Jonathan Lopez’ The Man Who Made Vermeers and The Forger’s Spell by Edward Dolnick.

Is this publicity for the book? Is there anything to this? It seems that someone paid a great deal of money and put forth a lot of effort if they are fakes. The author, Barbara Levine, who owns a curatorial service certainly should no better than to get involved with anything questionable. Levine admits it may years for this work to be truly authenticated.

In the mean time, this makes great reading for those of us who are hungry for information on art, history and the past.

You will find great selection of art books, art catalogs and magazine back issues at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

The Saturday Evening Post Has Arrived

I just received my copy of the newly revised Saturday Evening Post. A few months ago I mentioned that I was looking forward to finding out how the publisher would handle bringing back some old traditions while keeping up with the times.

When my July/August 2009 issue arrived in the mail, I was surprised and delighted when I glanced at the cover. The cover, a California coastline scene, reflects this issue’s theme “America the Beautiful”. The cover illustration was done by Eric Bowman, Oregon artist. Bowman admits that he was influenced by the artists who produced covers in the first half of the 20th century. This cover reminds me of the old magazines.

You might want to take a look at this magazine if you are not already a devoted fan. I believe the Post is on the right track with the new look and content. I think I will enjoy my subscription.

You will find a great selection of magazine back issues, art books and art catalogs at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.

www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

Marcel Duchamp--More Than A Painter

A book I read on Marcel Duchamp stated that along with Matisse and Picasso no other artist has significantly influenced modern art more. Many regard him today as a major art figure.

Duchamp was not only a painter and sculptor but jack-of-all trades. He grew up in a well-educated family with two artists as older brothers. He was a chess player, a librarian, writer, French teacher, gambler and art dealer. Duchamp focused not only on the visual arts but literature as well.

Some of Duchamp’s work appears complex, amusing and often puzzling to me. I now understand a little more about this artist. Duchamp had his own set of rules. He emphasized man as a true individual and his creations reflect this philosophy. I understand why many are influenced by his ideas and work.


You will find books on Marcel Duchamp along with other great artists at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.

www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

Great Art Deals

It appears that selling art work is more difficult today than ever before. An art dealer who normally negotiates private deals between sellers and buyers now reports that he has to buy the work to make it happen. Is this another sign of the effects of today’s economic crisis?

A New York art dealer reported purchasing art work directly and selling to buyers. The dealer then adds only a small additional fee to purchase price. This allows him to keep his doors open. The purchases themselves are great bargains. Two early Warhol’s were reported to be purchased this year at 50% of the market’s high. Sotheby’s and Christie’s have seen values drop significantly this year.

There seems to be a lot of interest in buying privately as opposed to big auction houses. Many buyers prefer to handle these transactions discreetly. Buying in a depressed market has its advantages. This sort of reminds me of earlier times before galleries and museums existed. Artists would have someone present their work in a private setting.

If you are a collector, now is the time to buy. Great deals are available if you know where to find them.

www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com