The Easel (by Park West Gallery)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:02:46 -0500

TITLE: “Thanksgiving”

DATE: 1935

WHY WE CHOSE IT: From the Park West Gallery family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

SOURCE: The Art Institute of Chicago

To learn more about your favorite artists and the fine art available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea, visit www.parkwestgallery.com.

Happy Birthday, Claude Monet

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:35:53 -0500

TITLE: “Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies”

ARTIST: Claude Monet

DATE: 1899

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Claude Monet (November 14, 1840 – December 5, 1926), the founder of French Impressionism, was born 172 years ago today.

From the Met:

In 1893, Monet, a passionate horticulturist, purchased land with a pond near his property in Giverny, intending to build something “for the pleasure of the eye and also for motifs to paint.” The result was his water-lily garden. In 1899, he began a series of eighteen views of the wooden footbridge over the pond, completing twelve paintings, including the present one, that summer. The vertical format of the picture, unusual in this series, gives prominence to the water lilies and their reflections on the pond.

SOURCE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

To learn more about your favorite artists and the fine art available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea, visit www.parkwestgallery.com.

Happy Birthday, Rodin

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:48:00 -0500

TITLE: “The Thinker”

ARTIST: Auguste Rodin

DATE: 1880

WHY WE CHOSE IT: French sculptor Auguste Rodin (November 12, 1840 – November 17, 1917) was born on this day, 172 years ago.

From the Rodin Museum:

Auguste Rodin originally conceived a smaller version of this sculpture to sit atop his monumental bronze portal entitled “The Gates of Hell” (1880-1917). The figure was intended to represent Italian poet Dante Alighieri pondering “The Divine Comedy,” his epic story of Paradise and Inferno. However, in 1889 Rodin exhibited the sculpture independently of “The Gates,” giving it the title “The Thinker,” and in 1902 he embarked on this larger version.
Rodin recalled: “Guided by my first inspiration I conceived another thinker, a naked man, seated upon a rock, his feet drawn under him, his fist against his teeth, he dreams. The fertile thought slowly elaborates itself within his brain. He is no longer dreamer, he is creator.”

SOURCE: Rodin Museum

To learn more about your favorite artists and the fine art available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea, visit www.parkwestgallery.com.

Election Day 2012

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:44:16 -0500

TITLE: “Norman Rockwell at the Voting Booth”

ARTIST: Norman Rockwell

DATE: 1960

WHY WE CHOSE IT: From The Saturday Evening Post:

“Here I am on November 8. As you can see, it’s not easy for me to make up my mind…” Norman Rockwell says in the caption of this 1960 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company advertisement.

The ad was one in a series of 81 pencil drawings Norman Rockwell sketched in the ’50s and ’60s for the insurance company.

Though we don’t know if he cast his vote for Richard Nixon or John F. Kennedy, we do know that he enjoyed working with both men in 1960, painting each of their portraits for The Saturday Evening Post covers.

Election Day 2012 has finally arrived! Will Democratic President Barack Obama win re-election or will Republican challenger Mitt Romney be chosen as America’s next president? We shall soon find out…

SOURCE: The Saturday Evening Post

Through association with the Norman Rockwell Licensing Company (the estate of the artist) and Curtis Publishing (owner of the copyrights of “The Saturday Evening Post” artwork), Park West Gallery is able to bring new and exceptional collecting opportunities for Norman Rockwell artworks to enthusiastic collectors. For more information, please visit www.parkwestgallery.com.

Time to Fall Back

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:55:00 -0400

TITLE: “Simply Dreaming”

ARTIST: Itzchak Tarkay

DATE: 2005

WHY WE CHOSE IT: This is your friendly Daylight Saving Time reminder! Don’t forget to set your clocks back this Sunday, November 4, at 2 a.m. We’re certainly looking forward to “falling back” into an extra hour of sleep — aren’t you?!

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Itzchak Tarkay is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. To learn more, please visit www.parkwest-tarkay.com.

Dia de los Muertos

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:40:00 -0400

TITLE: “Pyramid of Skulls”

ARTIST: Paul Cezanne

DATE: c. 1898-1900

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday observed annually on November 1 and 2. The holiday pays tribute to departed spirits, with family and friends gathering together to remember and celebrate those who have passed.

SOURCE: Grand Palais, Paris

Fine art by Paul Cézanne is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Happy Halloween!

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:22:00 -0400

TITLE: “Duendecitos (Hobgoblins)”

ARTIST: Francisco Goya

DATE: c. 1799

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Trick-or-treat! It’s finally here, the night of costumes and candies that all children — and many of us adults — anxiously anticipate all year long. Happy Halloween!

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Francisco Goya is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Light in the Storm

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:42:09 -0400

TITLE: “Light in the Storm”

ARTIST: Thomas Kinkade

DATE: 1995

WHY WE CHOSE IT: As Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the storm’s path.

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Thomas Kinkade is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwest-kinkade.com.

Happy Birthday, Pablo Picasso!

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:45:32 -0400

TITLE: “Le Vieux Roi (The Old King)”

ARTIST: Pablo Picasso

DATE: 1963

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Pablo Picasso (October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973) was born 131 years ago today. The Spanish Cubist is unquestionably the most famous artist of the 20th century. In his artistic lifetime, lasting more than 75 years, Picasso created tens of thousands of works, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, lithographs, etchings, linoleum cuts and ceramics. Picasso changed art more profoundly in the 20th century, and had a greater influence on modern art, than any other artist in history.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” —Pablo Picasso

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Pablo Picasso is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Park West is one of the longest running and largest dealers of Picasso graphic works internationally. Learn more at http://picasso.parkwestgallery.com.

Happy 75th Birthday, Peter Max!

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:16:08 -0400

TITLE: “Flower Jumper Over Sunrise II”

ARTIST: Peter Max

DATE: 2001 (© Peter Max 2012)

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Happy 75th Birthday, Peter Max! The legendary pop artist was born on this day in 1937.

“I’m just wowed by the universe. I’m just glad to do something I love to do. I love color, I love painting, I love shapes, I love composition, I love the people around me. I’m adoring it all. My legacy is in the hands of other people.” —Peter Max

SOURCE: Park West Gallery

Park West Gallery has enjoyed a relationship with Peter Max since the 1970s, and is the artist’s largest and longest-running dealer in the world. Peter Max fine art is available at Park West Gallery cruise art auctions throughout the world and via our gallery in Southfield, Michigan. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Countdown to Halloween

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:34:54 -0400

TITLE: “Dancing Masks”

ARTIST: Anatole Krasnyansky

DATE: 1999

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Halloween is only two weeks away, so it’s definitely time to get into the “spirit” of the holiday! Is your costume ready?

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Anatole Krasnyansky is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwest-krasnyansky.com.

Columbus Day

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:09:47 -0400

TITLE: “Columbus Breaking the Egg”

ARTIST: William Hogarth

DATE: 1752

WHY WE CHOSE IT: According to legend…

Columbus was dining with many Spanish nobles when one of them said: ‘Sir Christopher, even if your lordship had not discovered the Indies, there would have been, here in Spain which is a country abundant with great men knowledgeable in cosmography and literature, one who would have started a similar adventure with the same result.’

Columbus did not respond to these words but asked for a whole egg to be brought to him. He placed it on the table and said: ‘My lords, I will lay a wager with any of you that you are unable to make this egg stand on its end like I will do without any kind of help or aid.’

They all tried without success and when the egg returned to Columbus, he tapped it gently on the table breaking it slightly and, with this, the egg stood on its end. All those present were confounded and understood what he meant: that once the feat has been done, anyone knows how to do it.

Happy Columbus Day!

SOURCE: National Portrait Gallery, London

To learn more about your favorite artists and the fine art available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea, visit www.parkwestgallery.com.

Happy Birthday, Millet

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:20:22 -0400

TITLE: “The Gleaners”

ARTIST: Jean-François Millet

DATE: 1857

WHY WE CHOSE IT: French painter Jean-François Millet (October 4, 1814 – January 20, 1875) was born on this day, 198 years ago. Millet is recognized as one of the founders of the Barbizon school, an art movement that embraced the splendors of nature and focused on depicting the native landscape.

“To tell the truth, the peasant subjects suit my temperament best; for I must confess, even if you think me a socialist, that the human side of art is what touches me most.” —Jean-François Millet

SOURCE: Musée d’Orsay, Paris

To learn more about your favorite artists and the fine art available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea, visit www.parkwestgallery.com.

Happy Birthday, Charlie Brown

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:47:30 -0400

TITLE: “Charlie Brown and Snoopy”

ARTIST: United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

DATE: 2004

WHY WE CHOSE IT: The very first “Peanuts” comic strip, written by Charles M. Schulz, appeared in nine newspapers on October 2, 1950. The comic was four panels long and showed Charlie Brown walking by two other young children, Shermy and Patty. Snoopy was also an early character, first appearing in the third strip, on October 4. “Peanuts” ran in more than 2,600 papers worldwide, for a total of 17,897 strips, before it finally concluded on February 13, 2000.

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

A wide variety of animation art is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Yosemite National Park Established

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:06:05 -0400

TITLE: “Yosemite Cowboys”

ARTIST: Alexander Chen

DATE: 2000

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Yosemite National Park was established on October 1, 1890 by an act of Congress. Yosemite is located within central California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range and is famous for its natural wonders like Half Dome and giant sequoia trees.

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Alexander Chen is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Autumn Begins

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:24:20 -0400

TITLE: “Autumn”

ARTIST: Erté

DATE: 1975

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Autumn 2012 officially begins tomorrow — Saturday, September 22. It’s the time of year when the leaves change into a beautiful spectrum of colors, everyone gets excited about visiting their local cider mills and kids begin planning out their Halloween costumes. What do you most enjoy about the upcoming season?

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Erté is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

L'Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year)!

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:14:00 -0400

TITLE: “Apples and Pears”

ARTIST: Alexander/Wissotzky

DATE: 2003

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, began on Sunday evening and continues until Tuesday at sundown. Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated by enjoying sweet treats, like apples dipped in honey, symbolic of a sweet year ahead. L’Shanah Tovah!

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Alexander/Wissotzky is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Rare Renoir Painting Found at a Flea Market

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:31:10 -0400

TITLE: “Paysage Bords de Seine (Banks of the River Seine)”

ARTIST: Pierre-Auguste Renoir

DATE: 1879

WHY WE CHOSE IT: The art world is buzzing this week over an unlikely flea market find. According to reports:

A woman who paid $7 for a box of trinkets at a West Virginia flea market two years ago apparently acquired an original painting by French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir without knowing it.

Painting No. 24349 turns out to be Renoir’s painting “Paysage Bords de Seine,” which translates to Banks of the River Seine. It dates to about 1879 and measures 6 inches by 10 inches.

The painting is set for auction Sept. 29. It could fetch $75,000 or more.

SOURCE: AP

Fine art by Pierre-Auguste Renoir is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.

Remembering 9/11

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:49:50 -0400

TITLE: “Blessing Rainbow USA (9/11)”

ARTIST: Yaacov Agam

DATE: 2002

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Our thoughts and prayers today are with everyone affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

End of Summer

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:00:00 -0400

TITLE: “End of Summer”

ARTIST: Yuval Wolfson

DATE: 2006

WHY WE CHOSE IT: The official start of autumn isn’t until September 22, but now that Labor Day weekend is over and kids are heading back to school, summer seems to be quickly fading away. What’s your fondest memory from this summer?

SOURCE: The Park West Gallery Collection

Fine art by Yuval Wolfson is available through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Learn more at www.parkwestgallery.com.