Travis Simpkins

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Mystery of a Masterpiece: "La Bella Principessa" Possibly by Leonardo Da Vinci

La Bella Principessa. by Leonardo da Vinci. Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

Mystery of a Masterpiece:

"La Bella Principessa," possibly by Leonardo Da Vinci

by Travis Simpkins

Filmed in 2012 for the NOVA series on PBS, Mystery of a Masterpiece took a detailed look at the intriguing portrait of a young lady in profile, dubbed "La Bella Principessa", that is now often (but disputably) attributed as a previously unknown work by the great Italian Renaissance master Leonardo Da Vinci. Purchased by a Mr. Silverman in 2007 for $22,000… the small mixed media work on vellum could be worth upwards of $100,000,000 if the Leonardo connection can be solidified. The hour-long episode examines the integral aspects of concluding the authenticity of the work… which was sold by Christie's in the 1990's as an "early 19th Century German work." First, the age of the vellum is determined by carbon dating, placing it in the proper 15th-16th Century timeframe for being a Leonardo. Next, the method, style and technique are studied and recreated by a forger and an art instructor… concluding that it was made by a left-handed person using a highly unique and experimental drawing method, which also fits. By examining the edges of the vellum, it is thought probable that it was cut from a book, accounting for it's uncatalogued status. Art Historian Martin Kemp, basing his theory on the hairstyle of the sitter and the time frame in Leonardo's career, places the portrait as having been made in 1490's Milan for a book celebrating the wedding of Bianca Sforza. Furthermore, Kemp finds the wedding book, called "La Sforziada", in the Biblioteka Narodawa in Warsaw, Poland. After close analysis, it is concluded that a page is missing from the book and the marks of the drawing seem to match the book's stitching. For a short view, this show is well-worth the time spent watching it. Martin Kemp published a book on his findings, "La Bella Principessa: The Story of the New Masterpiece by Leonardo Da Vinci."

the current owner bought the work in 2007. Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

Leo Stevenson

Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

woman profile drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

Martin Kemp examines La Sforziada. Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

La Sforziada. Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

NOVA: Mystery of a Masterpiece: La Bella Principessa

"Mystery of a Masterpiece"- promo

Monday, December 8, 2014

Research: Worcester Art Museum "Then and Now" by Travis Simpkins. Update #28

-The first photo, from 1933, was taken shortly after the Renaissance Court building was constructed. The 26-foot long, 500-year-old Flemish tapestry of "The Last Judgment" is theatrically stretched above the trio of archways. Modernist paintings (probably here on loan) flank the openings. A cord hanging to the right closed the curtains, and the tapestry could be raised and lowered via a mechanized pulley system located above the lay lights (which is still there, but the system is in pieces and non-functional). Without the Antioch mosaic installed, it is also apparent how the granite floor was arranged in a complex highly-symmetrical pattern based on size/shape. The visual effect is less noticeable today with the floor cut up and covered in places, but if you enter through the Salisbury doors at look straight down at the threshold, you'll see that all the stones branch out symmetrically from that central point (except for the fourth stone in; the one odd variable). The Renaissance Court today has less walkable floor space, but is still theatrical in it's arrangement.
-The view in the second "Then and Now" composition is one level up, on the balcony, facing the same direction. The 1987 photo has a nice old/new contrast with "The Last Judgment" tapestry (nearing the end of it's six decades on display at WAM) seen on the wall behind an inflatable Andy Warhol soup can balloon. Today, visitors on the balcony are greeted with "These Days of Maiuma" (2013) by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison.

-The sketch depicts the Tang Dynasty terracotta "Horse", circa 618 - 907 A.D., on display in the Chinese Gallery.

-These cables, motor and pulleys (only one is shown here, but there are two) were part of the system designed to raise and lower the "Last Judgment" tapestry. For certain events and performances, the grand tapestry was lowered to cover the three arched openings to the Salisbury Lobby, and serve as a stage backdrop. The mechanism was well measured and balanced, and the system was easy to operate. There were only three controls: Raise, Lower and Stop.

Renaissance Court. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Horse. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Pulley Lift System. Worcester Art Museum

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Sherlock: Series 1 (2010) - Benedict Cumberbatch

Premiered on July 25, 2010, Sherlock: Season One captivated audiences with a surprising modern twist on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great 19th Century detective, Sherlock Holmes. Benedict Cumberbatch was an unlikely, but superb, choice for playing the lead role as Sherlock Holmes… his characteristics, humor and mannerisms are enthralling and clever. Martin Freeman is great as his sidekick, Dr. John Watson… updated as a military doctor recently returned from Afghanistan. The first series consisted of three episodes:

"A Study in Pink": Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet and team up to solve the case of a serial killer whose victims appear to have committed suicide. This masterful premiere is the best of the entire series.

"The Blind Banker": Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of murders tied to Chinese organized crime and the smuggling of Asian antiquities.

"The Great Game": Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are put to the test by the evil master criminal, James Moriarty.