Gothic tapestries from Spain, recently restored, on view together for first time at the National Gallery of Art

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Pastrana Tapestries— – among the finest Gothic tapestries in the world—are on view together for the first time in the United States at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, from September 18, 2011 through January 8, 2012. The Invention of Glory: Afonso V and the Pastrana Tapestries features the recently restored set of four monumental tapestries that commemorate the conquest of two strategically located cities in Morocco by the king of Portugal, Afonso V (1432–1481). Since the 17th century [...]

Edvard Munch’s Master Prints on View in Compelling Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art

WASHINGTON, DC.- Haunting images of love, attraction, alienation, death, and other universal human experiences in the work of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1865–1944) will be presented in a fascinating exhibition of nearly 60 of his most important prints. On view at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, from July 31 through October 31, 2010, Edvard Munch: Master Prints examines the artist’s stylistic approach to each of these themes, a process that involved transforming ideas into an evocative motif and exploring [...]

Carlo Orsi’s latest discovery: a masterpiece by Pontormo

MILAN. A long-standing, art-world rumour that gallerist Carlo Orsi had rediscovered a Pontormo masterpiece has been confirmed. The painting, Portrait of a Gentleman, around 1541-1544, went on show in June at Orsi’s gallery in Milan (until 9 July). The work was first identified by renowned art historian Roberto Longhi (in Paragone, 1952), who ascribed it to Pontormo, and declared it to be one of his finest works of portraiture. But after Longhi saw it, no-one else was granted access. Based [...]

“Synecdoche”, Watershed Work by Byron Kim, Installed at the National Gallery of Art

WASHINGTON, DC.- Synecdoche (1991–present), a recent acquisition by Korean-American artist Byron Kim (b. 1961), has been newly installed in the East Building’s modern and contemporary art galleries. Synecdoche is a continuing project of portraiture now comprising more than 400 panels, each a single hue ranging from light tan or pink to dark brown. Finding sitters among strangers, friends, family, neighbors, and fellow artists, Kim records each person’s skin color in oil paint mixed with wax that he applies with a [...]