How baroque became a favourite of the elites
Baroque was a phase or artistic style that found much favour in Europe during the 17th century. It flourished in Rome initially, and was supported by the elites and Roman Catholic Church as a way of appealing to the masses in a more visceral way. This exhibition looks at the influence of the Vatican in particular and how this artistic period resulted in Rome becoming a model for international cities and includes statues, paintings and sketches from key figures such as Giacinto Brandi, Bernini and Guido Reni. Baroque in Rome: The Wonders of Art runs at the Fondazione Roma Museo, Palazzo Cipolla in Rome until July 26. For information visit www.mostrabaroccoroma.it.
Picasso and Monet works lead Christie's sale
Works from titans such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti among others will lead a specially curated sale of impressionist and modern works at Christie's in New York on Monday. Christie's is offering 35 lots and estimates are that the work offered will generate sales of up to $500 million (Dh1.8bn). Picasso's Les femmes d'Alger from 1955 is expected to go for as much as $140m, while Giacometti's L'homme au doigt could be sold for $130m. Other highlights include Andy Warhol's Silver Liz, Jean-Michel Basquiat's Untitled and Chaim Soutine's Le Boeuf. Looking Forward to the Past takes place in New York. For more information visit www.christies.com.
Last chance to see portraits from a master
John Singer Sargent was arguably the greatest portrait painter of the Edwardian era. The American-born artist, who died in 1925, painted people such as Theodore Roosevelt, Claude Monet and Robert Louis Stevenson, and was acclaimed across the globe for his evocations of luxury in a unique impressionist style. This exhibition in London includes 70 of his portraits on loan from galleries and private collections in America and Europe and focuses on works he painted for his friends, which were more experimental. Sargent: Portraits of Artists and Friends concludes at the National Portrait Gallery on May 25. For more information visit www.npg.org.uk.
Our top international arts events this week: Art titans Picasso and Monet lead Christie’s sale and much more
Plus: how baroque made Rome the art capital of Europe and take a last chance to see portraits from a master.
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