painting

Although neither the seller nor the buyer, both private and tight-lipped, want to comment on the sale, the $140 million price tag that was attached to a Jackson Pollock paining last week makes it the most expensive piece of artwork in history. The painting, which was done on fiberboard, is titled "No. 5, 1948" and measures 4-feet 8-inches in height. David Geffen reportedly it sold to the "obsessively private" Mexican financier David Martinez through Sotheby's. The NY Times speculates that, as Geffen just sold off two other very expensive paintings in the last few weeks, he may be trying to raise money for a bid to purchase the LA Times.

[Thanks, Lana]

There is a reason why so much artwork - particularly older, valuable pieces - is displayed behind glass cases or out of the public's reach: the art is easily damaged and galleries and museums don't want to take unnecessary chances with their investments. When you are a private collector, those safeguards aren't always maintained. This isn't a problem when personal collections are small, but it is when you own a $140 million dollar painting, such as Picasso's La Reve, owned by Steve Wynn. Wynn, after selling the painting for just under that price, accidentally punched a hole in the canvas with a careless elbow.

Apparently, the painting can be restored and Wynn is taking this as a sign that the painting should not be sold, but when you're dealing with something so valuable in the first place, even private collectors might consider an extra precaution or two.

[Thanks, Mike!]

Eclipsing the record set in 2004 by a Pablo Picasso painting, Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I has sold for $135 million, the highest price ever paid for a painting. It was purchased by billionaire Ronald S. Lauder, the heir to the Estee Lauder fortune, and it will be displayed in his small, New York museum, the Neue Galerie. The painting was taken from the Bloch-Bauer's home in 1938 by Nazis and was sold by her niece, Maria Altmann, who has only had it since the beginning of this year, after looted artwork was returned to relatives of the original owners.

Like Art for Chocolate combines a visual art with a culinary art, presenting 16 pieces of high end chocolate truffles in a custom-crafted wood box.  Each of the aspen boxes features an original oil painting on the lid, capturing a scene of natural beauty, done by artist M. Alexis Pichardo. The truffles are made by Albert Lauber, owner of Neuchatel Chocolates. Like Art for Chocolate is limited to 100 pieces, all of which were released specifically for Mother's Day, so they won't be available for long, though the painting is a piece of the gift that will certainly last. Each gift will be shipped in a micro-suede gift pouch and packed with artist profiles and a gift card. Price: $248.

[Thanks, Saul]

Being a revolutionary ain't easy. First, there's all of that boring theory you have to learn. Then, there's all that stuff about "collectivity" and "the worker" that you also have to believe, at least somewhat whole-heartedly.

Ss if things couldn't get worse, you will also probably have to start dressing like a revolution. If you ask me, as a group, revolutionaries are quite possible the most  poorly dressed political element. The exception, of course, is Che Guevara's beret, which is a definite 'do'. But aside from Che's headwear, revolutionaries are a pretty badly-heeled lot.

But now, thanks to Chinese painter, Zhu Yao-Hui, you too can become a revolutionary! (And the best part is that you don't even have to leave your couch!)

All you have to do is select the size and the format of the painting that you would like out of the 16 vintage options offered. Then send the artist a couple of photographs of yourself in a position that vaguely emulates the figure in the original poster. After about two weeks, you will receive your new portrait in the mail.

Starting at $149, these hand-painting revolutionary posters are the easiest way to roll with the big comrades, without actually having to do or believe anything.

Viva la revolution, baby!

The pop artist Christina Aguilera has just dropped £25,000 - that's about $43,500 - on a painting by the British graffiti artist Banksy.  The painting shows the late Queen Victoria, who passed anti-homosexual laws and "famously believed women were incapable of being gay", depicted as a lesbian. Victoria, clad in stockings and garter belt, is painted in a compromising position with another woman. Aguilera plans to display the controversial painting in her home.

The painting is after the jump and is possibly not safe for work.