Roy Lichtenstein's Blonde Waiting, a Pop art painting, is at the center of a civil suit seeking $26.5 million from art dealer Larry Gagosian and three others over unpaid taxes on profits from art sales through a corporate alter ego; the piece was originally owned by Richard L. Weisman and later tied to gallery deals in New York and Los Angeles.
Turner discovery story reported by NZ Herald about the Tate Gallery locating 500 lost works by J.M.W. Turner, including oil paintings, watercolours, and pencil drawings, as part of the Turner Worldwide project. The finds are described as significant and involve cooperation with private collectors, galleries and institutions; Turner's watercolours and oils are noted for high auction values.
The article discusses the Norton Museum of Art’s Gail and Melvin Nessel Wing, which expands gallery space by 75 percent to become Florida’s largest art museum. It notes the total size reaching 112,500 square feet, highlights features of the new wing, funds raised toward a $35 million goal, and mentions the architect Chad Floyd of Centerbrook Architects and Planners.
The article discusses a nude painting by Brett Whiteley featuring Arkie Whiteley as the model, which Sotheby's Australia anticipated could fetch up to $1.2 million at auction in Sydney. It compares the work to Lavender Bay and references Arkie’s death and the artist’s legacy, noting the painting’s 1986-87 creation and provenance from Arkie in 1993 to a private English collector.
Samson Spanier and Martin Bailey report that the National Gallery is campaigning to acquire Raphael's Madonna of the pinks, which is under export ban until 27 August. The gallery argues social responsibility and seeks funds and broader outreach to underprivileged groups to raise £29.5 million to keep the painting, with potential support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The article discusses Art Basel 2003, noting that younger artists and cheaper works were favored. It mentions Cindy Sherman, Per Skarsdat, Laurie Simmons, Sadie Coles, Interim, Gavin Brown, and Sean Kelly, with prices and sale anecdotes such as Sherman pieces around $60,000 and Skarsdat’s cases, illustrating a market shift toward contemporary, affordable works.
Christie’s July Old Masters sales were led by a newly attributed Antonello da Messina devotional panel estimated at £200,000–£300,000. The auctions also featured works by Goya, Tiepolo, Rembrandt, Rubens and Guercino.