In 2008, when the government of Portugal nationalized the BPN Bank
it inherited a huge debt as well as a large collection of paintings by Catalan artist Joan Miro. Now Portugal wants
to sell the 85 Miro paintings, valued at more than 36 million euros.
"It is important to sell these works to reduce the inherited debt of
BPN which is more than four billion euro," said Secretary of State for
Culture Jorge Barreto Xavier. Although the Portuguese government is strapped
for cash these days, this seems to me like a drop in the bucket. I wonder if they
are being short-sighted, giving up such a notable collection.
Apparently there is a contingent in Portugal who also question the
wisdom of the sale.
Although a Portuguese court yesterday rejected a request from the
opposition Socialist party for the sale to be halted, hours before the first batch
of the paintings was due to go up for sale, Christie's cancelled the auction,
saying, “While the recent injunction to stop the sale was not granted, the
legal uncertainties created by this ongoing dispute mean that we are not able
to safely offer the works for sale.”
It’ll be interesting to see where this ends up … the Joan Miros dispersed, many
absorbed into private collections? Or, gracing the walls of one of Lisbon’s art
museums? Or how about a travelling
special exhibit of the 85 works while the matter is being endlessly debated?
Femmes et oiseaux, an
oil on canvas painted on 3 January 1968, illustrates one of the most
enduring and characteristic themes in Joan Miró’s oeuvre: women and
birds. Estimate: £4-7 million.
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Above: Femmes et oiseaux, an
oil on canvas, 1968, illustrates a characteristic theme in Joan Miró’s oeuvre: women and
birds. Christie's estimate: £4-7 million.
More Information: http://artdaily.com/news/67960/Christie-s-cancels-sale-of-collection-of-85-works-by-Joan-Miro-over-Portugal-dispute-[/url]
Copyright © artdaily.org
Femmes et oiseaux, an
oil on canvas painted on 3 January 1968, illustrates one of the most
enduring and characteristic themes in Joan Miró’s oeuvre: women and
birds. Estimate: £4-7 million.
More Information: http://artdaily.com/news/67960/Christie-s-cancels-sale-of-collection-of-85-works-by-Joan-Miro-over-Portugal-dispute-[/url]
Copyright © artdaily.org
More Information: http://artdaily.com/news/67960/Christie-s-cancels-sale-of-collection-of-85-works-by-Joan-Miro-over-Portugal-dispute-[/url]
Copyright © artdaily.org
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