Co-written and directed by David O. Russell, American Hustle (2013) started receiving accolades, fanfare and critical success even before it was released. The story is loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970's. Offering great insights into the art of the con, the interrelations between the criminals and law enforcement are blurred and fascinating. A few scenes in American Hustle were filmed at the picturesque Worcester Art Museum, with Rembrandt's "Saint Bartholomew", the European Galleries and the Renaissance Court nicely featured. The scene stated that the Rembrandt painting is a fake, which it isn't, but Saint Bartholomew took a hit for the team. I was on set for filming at the museum, which took one full morning to shoot. The scenes were hushed, with the HVAC briefly silenced to eliminate background noise, and the cast and crew were pleasant all-around. Top-notch acting runs from start to finish. Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper are excellent as the male leads. Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams, both clad in stylish form-fitting open front dresses in 1970's fashion, are radiant and exceptional in their respective roles. The supporting cast is great as well, including Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K. and Robert De Niro.
Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams: American Hustle
Christian Bale and Amy Adams: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence: American Hustle
Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper at Worcester Art Museum: American Hustle
Saint Bartholomew. by Rembrandt van Rijn: American Hustle
Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper at Worcester Art Museum: American Hustle
Amy Adams: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Bale: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence: American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence: American Hustle
filming "American Hustle" at the Worcester Art Museum
Construction of Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Cavendish Family and the the Dukes of Devonshire, began in 1687… and the historic mansion has endured it's share of intrigue, scandal and tragedy ever since. Produced in 2013 for PBS, Secrets of Chatsworth was made with the cooperation of the home's current owner, the 12th Duke of Devonshire, who holds one of the highest ranks in the British aristocracy. The 300-room mansion is the epitome of art-filled opulent manor houses, with gold plated urns along the roofline and gold-rimmed window frames. The Chatsworth Archives hold some of the most interesting mementos and letters of the home's first famous resident, Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, who even penned one of the letters in her own blood. (Gainsborough's portrait of Georgiana was famously stolen by the "Napoleon of Crime" Adam Worth a century later). Wed to the Duke of Devonshire in 1774 at the age of 17, Georgiana's time at Chatsworth was desperate and tragic. It took her 15 years to conceive the male heir expected of her, during which time she developed a penchant for wild parties and gambling, and was forced to endure a menage-a-trois relationship… sharing the Duke with Lady Elizabeth Foster. Georgiana's only son, known as the Bachelor Duke, inherited immense wealth and spent millions further developing the Chatsworth estate, including installing the famous water fountains and the now-gone Great Glass Conservatory. The "Double Duchess" arrived in 1892 with her kinky "house parties." American fame came in 1932, when Adele Astaire (Fred Astaire's sister) wed into the Cavendish Family. Further American scandal and tragedy arrived in the form of Kathleen Kennedy's romance with Billy Cavendish. Despite initial protests because she was Irish Catholic, the Duke of Devonshire relented and allowed the wedding to place place in 1944. Billy Cavendish was killed in World War II the same year. Kathleen Kennedy died in a plane crash in 1948, and was buried at Chatsworth. After the war, Britain's harsh inheritance taxes threatened the future of Chatsworth… but by 1980, the debt was paid and the current owner has restored the home to glory. This 55-minute documentary provides an insightful and worthwhile look into one of England's most historical, extravagant and storied homes.
-The first photo, from 1910, shows how grand the third floor galleries of the Worcester Art Museum appeared a century ago. The skylights were removed and the ceiling was lowered significantly when the 4th floor was added on top of the building in 1940. Today, this spot finds the viewer inside the American Decorative Arts gallery. The only recognizable elements are the original floor and the opening to the main stairwell at right.
-Shortly after I received the sad news that Terri Priest had passed away, I was contacted by the Executive Director of ArtsWorcester, requesting permission to use my portrait of Terri in their memorial tribute to her. This was part of their newsletter.
-Recently, I was the subject of a caricature by cartoonist George Panagopoulos. His cartoon depicts me, as a Knight, protecting paintings in the museum galleries. I'm flattered. I really think that armor is a good look for me.
Third Floor galleries. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins
ArtsWorcester: Terri Priest Memorial. by Travis Simpkins
Caricature of Travis Simpkins. by George Panagopoulos
James Bond, the "Duke of Wellington" and the Dr. No Theory
by Travis Simpkins
A famous scene in Dr. No (1962) shows James Bond passing through the villain's lair, and recognizing the stolen 1812 portrait of the "Duke of Wellington" by Franciso Goya. The painting had been stolen the year before the film was made, and producers thought it would be an interesting visual innuendo for the stolen masterpiece to make a cameo. That brief sighting of "The Duke of Wellington" had a deep impact on the way Art theft has been perceived from then on. It conjured up the concept of the crooked wealthy art collector, commissioning thefts of art for personal gratification, hiding away stolen masterpieces in a private underground room. It is known in the study of Art Crime as the "Dr. No Theory."
Although not based on the actual first book in the 007 series by Ian Fleming, Dr. No was the first "James Bond" film adaptation. Directed by Terence Young, Dr. No established many of the iconic elements now associated with a typical "James Bond" movie... from the famous cocktail, to the sexy ladies. Filmed on a relatively modest budget, the film was a huge financial success and inspired 22 additional Bond films, as well as countless imitation Spy movies and spoofs. The cast is excellent, including Sean Connery as the preeminent and iconic James Bond, Ursula Andress as the first "Bond girl" and Joseph Wiseman as Dr. No, the title character and first Bond villain.
When a fellow British agent is killed in Jamaica, ultra-suave 007 agent James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to investigate…
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Bond discovers sexy ladies...
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
dangerous intrigue...
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Stolen art…
Goya's "Duke of Wellington": Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Goya's "Duke of Wellington": Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Goya's "Duke of Wellington": Dr. No. James Bond, 007
The theft of Goya's "Duke of Wellington": Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Goya's "Duke of Wellington": Dr. No. James Bond, 007
as his search leads him further into mystery…
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
He encounters the enchanting Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress)...
Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
and the obstacles and fights they must overcome as they get closer to the truth...
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
leading Bond to the island fortress of Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), and a plot to disrupt a planned rocket launch to the moon...
Dr. No: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
danger abounds...
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
as Bond sets forth to save the day...
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Dr. No: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
Sean Connery and Ursula Andress: Dr. No. James Bond, 007
