Another famous painting is in doubt as to who could have painted it and experts now believe it has been mis-attributed. This time, is ' The Skating Minister ' long thought to be the work of the Edinburgh artist Sir Henry Raeburn. The Skating Minister is the most emblematic image of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, it has been reproduced on millions of posters, Christmas cards, mugs, coasters and books. But Stephen Lloyd, senior curator at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, believes that it is by Henri-Pierre Danloux ( 1753-1809 ) a "refugee" court painter from France who stayed in Edinburgh during the French Revolution in the 1790's. He points out that the picture is different from any other work by Sir Henry Raeburn. The picture is smaller, unsigned, and the brushwork is "more reminiscent " of Danloux, less so of the more famous painter's "robust style" The canvas is also of a traditional type, while Raeburn preferred a canvas with a herringbone weave.
Neither the case of El Coloso (The Colossus ) a painting long attributed to Goya nor the case of 'The Skating Minister' is yet settled. The Colossus has the marks of Goya's genius, its fearful and sublime idea, the pugilist giant rising up behind the world, could have been one of his ideas. The Skating Minister is a different pickle: Its unlike any other work by Raeburn, but much better than any other work by Danloux. As the art critic Tom Lubbock says: " In its teetering balance between dignity and absurdity, between statis and speed, it creates a work of high comedy that's rare in painting anywhere. It's a work of genius- but whose ? It lingers in an uneasy limbo: a marvellous painting that has, in effect, arrived from nowhere. It will be a long time before people give up finding an author "
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Thursday, 11 June 2009
THE HEIR HUNTERS Series 3 Celtic Research Stories
Today, they have sent us the new schedule of the new television programme of our company to be shown on BBC I on the 1st of July. Not sure about the time slot, but I would imagine it will be around 9 A.M. It kicks off with the Gibbs & De Keyser case.
The latest episode in the series dedicated to finding heirs to unclaimed estates. This is the case of a man who thought he had no one to leave his money to and the story of a high-profile anti-apartheid activist with an unclaimed estate of £250,000.
Hector Birchwood of Celtic Research is investigating the compelling case of Ethel de Keyser. Leaving Lithuania for South Africa in 1926, Ethel became an anti-apartheid activist after the imprisonment of her brother. and as Hector delves deeper, his attempt to find anyone entitled to inherit her substantial estate highlights the brutal world of South Africa's apartheid regime and the appalling events of the Sharpeville Massacre.
Then on the 8th of July. Hector Birchwood is delving into the mysterious case of Arthur Aldrick. He died in 2005 aged 85, leaving behind an unclaimed estate worth a hefty £350,000. A distant heir is discovered, but that's just the beginning of the story. Intrigued, Arthur's heir is soon on the case and as she investigates his wartime record in the intelligence service, it begins to look as if he may have had an important role to play in cracking the Nazi's infamous Enigma code.
On Thursday 16th of July Researcher Saul Marks from Celtic Research is investigating the case of Sylvia Casson who died in 2008 at the venerable age of 97. As Saul probes deeper in to her case, he uncovers a compelling story of a family forced to flee Russian persecution in the 1880's and of a young girl defying the Blitz and Nazi ' terror weapons '. But just as Saul seems close to cracking the case, an unexpected development threatens to undo all his hard work.
On Wednesday 22nd of July Hector Birchwood is delving into the case of Kenneth Yale. He died aged 79 in a Glasgow hospital after having led an apparently unremarkable life. But as Hector explores further, it becomes clear that the Yale family has a skeleton in the closet and someone is about to have to come to terms with a startling discovery.
On Thursday 23rd of July This is the case of Christopher Bett who died leaving an estate worth £100,000. As he was adopted after his mother died, his adoptive parents are legally seen as his blood relatives. Soon its all hands to the pump for Fraser and Fraser ( our competitors ) as the race to track down surviving heirs, picks up pace. But competitors ( us ) are doddging their every move and, as Christopher's family tree takes the shape, an already overstretched team is forced to spread the net even wider. Next stop Australia.
On Friday 31st of July, At Celtic Research Peter Birchwood is examining the case of Peter Sharpe, a man who died at the relatively young age of 57. As he investigates, he makes the surprising discovery that the brother of the deceased lives a mere 10 miles away and yet is totally unaware of the death. So why did the family members lose toch with each other ? And what memories will be stirred up by the knowledge of such an untimely death.
I hope you enjoy it.
The latest episode in the series dedicated to finding heirs to unclaimed estates. This is the case of a man who thought he had no one to leave his money to and the story of a high-profile anti-apartheid activist with an unclaimed estate of £250,000.
Hector Birchwood of Celtic Research is investigating the compelling case of Ethel de Keyser. Leaving Lithuania for South Africa in 1926, Ethel became an anti-apartheid activist after the imprisonment of her brother. and as Hector delves deeper, his attempt to find anyone entitled to inherit her substantial estate highlights the brutal world of South Africa's apartheid regime and the appalling events of the Sharpeville Massacre.
Then on the 8th of July. Hector Birchwood is delving into the mysterious case of Arthur Aldrick. He died in 2005 aged 85, leaving behind an unclaimed estate worth a hefty £350,000. A distant heir is discovered, but that's just the beginning of the story. Intrigued, Arthur's heir is soon on the case and as she investigates his wartime record in the intelligence service, it begins to look as if he may have had an important role to play in cracking the Nazi's infamous Enigma code.
On Thursday 16th of July Researcher Saul Marks from Celtic Research is investigating the case of Sylvia Casson who died in 2008 at the venerable age of 97. As Saul probes deeper in to her case, he uncovers a compelling story of a family forced to flee Russian persecution in the 1880's and of a young girl defying the Blitz and Nazi ' terror weapons '. But just as Saul seems close to cracking the case, an unexpected development threatens to undo all his hard work.
On Wednesday 22nd of July Hector Birchwood is delving into the case of Kenneth Yale. He died aged 79 in a Glasgow hospital after having led an apparently unremarkable life. But as Hector explores further, it becomes clear that the Yale family has a skeleton in the closet and someone is about to have to come to terms with a startling discovery.
On Thursday 23rd of July This is the case of Christopher Bett who died leaving an estate worth £100,000. As he was adopted after his mother died, his adoptive parents are legally seen as his blood relatives. Soon its all hands to the pump for Fraser and Fraser ( our competitors ) as the race to track down surviving heirs, picks up pace. But competitors ( us ) are doddging their every move and, as Christopher's family tree takes the shape, an already overstretched team is forced to spread the net even wider. Next stop Australia.
On Friday 31st of July, At Celtic Research Peter Birchwood is examining the case of Peter Sharpe, a man who died at the relatively young age of 57. As he investigates, he makes the surprising discovery that the brother of the deceased lives a mere 10 miles away and yet is totally unaware of the death. So why did the family members lose toch with each other ? And what memories will be stirred up by the knowledge of such an untimely death.
I hope you enjoy it.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
JUNE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS
Another rat who has abandoned the ship, Hazel Blears resigned yesterday, James Purnell today Bravo ! at this rate the rats are departing faster from Parliament than the newspapers can keep up with the very latest resignation. Good. At least it won't be necessary to burn down that beautiful building to get them all out from there. Robert, at this rate, your dream about not having a government will finally become true !
A few months ago, Belgium did not have a government for several months and most people did not even noticed it. Belgium carried on working as usual. The trains were on time, the schools were open, every one went to work as if nothing had happened. When you think about it, Parliament takes a few months holiday every single year and the rest of us do not even notice it either. Maybe it will be cheaper for the tax payer if all the politicians took a permanent holiday. They won't be missed. Besides, the laws are designed only for their own comfort and convenience, not for the rest of the people. The only thing is, if the Labour government goes out now. It will serve as a smoke screen in order to divert attention for not changing the crooked expenses system. That is the aim. We will have to see what will be the outcome of this election. I hope Labour comes out last, I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind voting for them, except their family and friends and also the quangos who stand to gain from it. This is a unique time the electorate has to really trash them and put them where they belong... in the bin.
A few months ago, Belgium did not have a government for several months and most people did not even noticed it. Belgium carried on working as usual. The trains were on time, the schools were open, every one went to work as if nothing had happened. When you think about it, Parliament takes a few months holiday every single year and the rest of us do not even notice it either. Maybe it will be cheaper for the tax payer if all the politicians took a permanent holiday. They won't be missed. Besides, the laws are designed only for their own comfort and convenience, not for the rest of the people. The only thing is, if the Labour government goes out now. It will serve as a smoke screen in order to divert attention for not changing the crooked expenses system. That is the aim. We will have to see what will be the outcome of this election. I hope Labour comes out last, I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind voting for them, except their family and friends and also the quangos who stand to gain from it. This is a unique time the electorate has to really trash them and put them where they belong... in the bin.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
MAY IN MADRID
Hi Robert, Victoria and Dougie !
I had a fun filled birthday party and I laughed like I hadn't done so in years !
I am pictured here with my art teacher, a professor from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid and his wife Macarena. The blond one, is my cousin Patricia and her fiancee Dr. Rafael Garcia, an oncologist and without a shadow of a doubt, the most handsome doctor at the Ruber Hospital in Madrid. On another photo, Peter is caught eating a strawberry jelly. The atmosphere was great and the venue at The Palace Hotel was really excellent; the food, the attention, the music, everything. We were 13 of us and everyone had a jolly good time, a day to remember as long as I live. They all had such a good time, that I even had a request to celebrate my birthday more than once a year.
I had a fun filled birthday party and I laughed like I hadn't done so in years !
I am pictured here with my art teacher, a professor from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid and his wife Macarena. The blond one, is my cousin Patricia and her fiancee Dr. Rafael Garcia, an oncologist and without a shadow of a doubt, the most handsome doctor at the Ruber Hospital in Madrid. On another photo, Peter is caught eating a strawberry jelly. The atmosphere was great and the venue at The Palace Hotel was really excellent; the food, the attention, the music, everything. We were 13 of us and everyone had a jolly good time, a day to remember as long as I live. They all had such a good time, that I even had a request to celebrate my birthday more than once a year.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT
Have a really lovely day on your 29th birthday and I hope you get many nice things. Did you get my nicotine patches yet ? heh,heh,heh
Saturday, 16 May 2009
The MPs Expenses Scandal
This is too important to ignore. As the shameful disclosures by my new favourite newspaper: The Daily Telegraph keep coming out, with revelation after revelation of how the dishonourable Members of Parliament mis-use taxpayers money to line up their pockets, I really do not think things are going to be the same for politicians in the U.K. anymore. Most people didn't know what really went on with the expenses; there were some constituencies where the people didn't even know who their MP was, let alone the rip-offs they were up to. Now, we have to thank the courageous decision of the Daily Telegraph which dared to publish the names and misdeeds of those who abused the system quite spectacularly. Now, the guilty ones say it's the system that was wrong. It's not the system that is wrong, it's the MPs who are wrong and they know it. Imagine the idiot David Chaytor who said that he had "made an unforgivable error " when he claimed nearly £13,000 in interest payments for an interest mortgage that he had already paid off. I mean... how can he explain away that ? this is fraud, he faces a criminal inquiry into his expenses.
The police, have been reluctant to get involved after several previous failed political investigations, but they have been left with little choice following serious allegations of fraud, and growing public anger. The Metropolitan police have received a number of complaints from members of the public about MP's including the Cabinet members: Alistair Darling, Geoff Hoon, Baroness Uddin and the former Minister Elliot Morley, who recently resigned after his misuse of public money was published by the Daily Telegraph. Lawyers have said that Mr. Morley's expenses claims could constitute a criminal offense under the 2006 Fraud Act and the 1968 Theft Act. Morley, who was a minister for nine years under Tony Blair, blamed his " error " on "sloppy accounting" he was claiming £800 a month for 18 months after his mortgage had already been paid off and when he was caught, he said it was " sloppy accounting " How can anyone forget that they have already paid their mortgage off ? Does he really expect us to believe it ? The only good thing that has come out of this is, that all the three major political parties have got together and agreed to form the Coallition of the Fraudsters because somehow it's not their fault! Oh no. " It's the system's fault " and they now say they need an independent body to tell them what is proper to do and what isn't. If they cannot tell the difference between what is proper and what isn't, then they have no business in Parliament. The whole lot should go. Having an £8,000 Danish television on expenses is a luxury not a necessity, a crystal chandellier is a luxury, having your moat or your swimming pool cleaned up ,are luxuries ! Anyone with half a brain can see that. Heads are beginning to roll and a few resignations have taken place but that its not enough. Criminal charges have to be brought up and made to stick, if they want people to believe in politicians again.
The police, have been reluctant to get involved after several previous failed political investigations, but they have been left with little choice following serious allegations of fraud, and growing public anger. The Metropolitan police have received a number of complaints from members of the public about MP's including the Cabinet members: Alistair Darling, Geoff Hoon, Baroness Uddin and the former Minister Elliot Morley, who recently resigned after his misuse of public money was published by the Daily Telegraph. Lawyers have said that Mr. Morley's expenses claims could constitute a criminal offense under the 2006 Fraud Act and the 1968 Theft Act. Morley, who was a minister for nine years under Tony Blair, blamed his " error " on "sloppy accounting" he was claiming £800 a month for 18 months after his mortgage had already been paid off and when he was caught, he said it was " sloppy accounting " How can anyone forget that they have already paid their mortgage off ? Does he really expect us to believe it ? The only good thing that has come out of this is, that all the three major political parties have got together and agreed to form the Coallition of the Fraudsters because somehow it's not their fault! Oh no. " It's the system's fault " and they now say they need an independent body to tell them what is proper to do and what isn't. If they cannot tell the difference between what is proper and what isn't, then they have no business in Parliament. The whole lot should go. Having an £8,000 Danish television on expenses is a luxury not a necessity, a crystal chandellier is a luxury, having your moat or your swimming pool cleaned up ,are luxuries ! Anyone with half a brain can see that. Heads are beginning to roll and a few resignations have taken place but that its not enough. Criminal charges have to be brought up and made to stick, if they want people to believe in politicians again.
Friday, 8 May 2009
MAY IN SCOTLAND
We are heading to Edinburg, Scotland on business tomorrow. So on Sunday, I will have a chance to see their National Gallery. I am looking forward to being there, as it has been several years now since we last visited Edinburg . It will be a flash visit but I will be back on Tuesday. I have to devise a way to write on this blog whilst I am away. I couldn't get access from my lap-top. Take lots of care and have a great weekend everyone.
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