‘Raphael under Threat’ as Priceless Painting Buckles Under High Humidity

One of the priceless paintings produced by the famous Renaissance master Raphael, has recently come under serious threat of total spoilage due to the fact that the air-conditioning system in the gallery has become disused.

'The Deposition' by Raphael

The Borghese Gallery in Rome houses so many important masterpieces and ‘The Deposition’ is one of them. This particular painting by Raphael is also one of the worst hit by the adverse effect of humidity which has seen the work warping, all owing to the fact that the air-conditioning system in the room has started to malfunction, or is completely broken down. It is surprising however to observers that the authorities of the Borghese Gallery have not been able to fix the problematic cooling system which is needed to preserve the works.

$179 million For a Picasso as Painting Shatters Record at Christie’s Auctions

I am glad to let you know that the great twentieth century master is in the news again! An all time record was recently recorded at the world famous Christie’s at the latest art auction that took place. This is clearly the highest amount ever realised at any auction of a painting or any form of artwork. Exactly $179.4 million is the record value fetched by Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece titled ‘Les Femmes d’Alger, Version O’.

'Les Femmes d’Alger, Version O' by Picasso

A telephone bid made by an unidentified buyer was how the artwork was carted away, beating the last record which had stood since 2013, of the $142.2 million which was paid for the work of Francis Bacon’s triptych “Three Studies of Lucien Freud”. This was in the month of November, 2013.

During the recent auctions at Christie’s, the sale of Pablo Picasso’s painting was the peak of the event on that day. In the same day at the auctions, an all time bumper sale was also recorded in that some of the world’s wealthiest people who are chasing scarce masterpieces did not fail to cart away so much, resulting in the total gross of $706 million worth of art in just one evening! 

Bruce Onobrakpeya – Erudite Nigerian Artist, Scholar and Print-Maker of Many Colours

He is undoubtedly Nigeria's best-documented artist; Bruce Onobrakpeya needs very little introduction in art circles both within and outside of the country. He is indeed a living legend; Bruce Onobrakpeya has devoted his life to his work, and is today regarded in some quarters as the main custodian of Urhobo folklore and culture. He never forgets his roots; he is unapologetically attached to the history, art and culture of the Urhobo people of South-South Nigeria. He tells their rich history and portrays unendingly the colourful cultures of his people in his writings, paintings and of course his major medium of expression – print-making. 

Bruce Onobrakpeya

Bruce Onobrakpeya is a founding member of the Zaria rebels; they were actually a group of young artists who formed the nucleus of the art department or the Zaria (art) School when the current Ahmadu Bello University was known as the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST). He is of course also a shining light among the first generation of academically trained artists who were responsible for the renaissance in Nigeria’s contemporary art.

 He was in the vanguard of the early league with contemporaries such as Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, etc. In the course of his academic and studio exploits, Onobrakpeya had pitched his tent with, and triumphed through his vision from St. Gregory's College, Lagos, where he headed the fine art department - teaching, raising and mentoring so many disciples including one of his popular protégés – David Dale, also an accomplished print-maker. 

After a memorable stint in the school which spanned a period of about thirteen years, he retired fully into his studio – Ovuomaroro Studios located in Mushin, a suburb of Lagos. Since then he has continued working assiduously extending his practice and mentoring a host of adherents through apprenticeship, extensive research, guest lecturing and writing. Through his various workshops and symposia, Bruce Onobrakpeya has influenced generations of young artists, and he is today respected and acknowledged as one of the leading print-makers in the world.