> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Art Movements
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/art-movements-111/
- Published: 2015-08-07T23:37:39.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:43:10.000Z
- Description: This week in art news: the FBI released security footage of the night before the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist, a seven-year-old boy got stuck in a work of public art, and the Ashmolean Museum acquired a trove of illustrated correspondence between Sir Edward Burne-Jones and Helen Mary Gaskel
- Author: Tiernan Morgan
- Tags: News, Art Movements, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:08 (2014, 2015, part 2)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/3-you-and-me-c-ashmolean-museum-university-of-oxford.jpg)

Sir Edward Burne-Jones, album of illustrated letters from Burne-Jones to Mrs Gaskell (1893–8); one drawing of a bird in flight; one drawing of Burne Jones and Mrs Gaskell taking tea (detail shown right); one fragment in pencil with a drawing of a baby bird; writing paper, mounted onto an album page (© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford)

*Art Movements is a weekly collection of news, developments, and stirrings in the art world*.

The FBI [released](http://www.artnews.com/2015/08/06/fbi-releases-intriguing-footage-of-night-before-isabella-stewart-gardner-art-heist/?ref=hyperallergic.com) surveillance footage recorded at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum the night before the heist that took place on March 17, 1990\. The footage apparently shows a guard — identified as Richard Abath by the [*Boston Globe*](http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/08/06/newly-discovered-video-shows-guard-let-man-hours-before-notorious-gardner-art-heist/ZTxWNo6c7zfSNQZtcfrDTO/story.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) — letting an unauthorized guest into the museum.

A seven-year-old boy got his leg [stuck](http://www.wjcl.com/news/local-news/young-boy-stuck-in-public-art-piece/44355006/story?ref=hyperallergic.com) in a public work of art. “In twenty-one years in the fire service,” Captain Dave Bell of the Hilton Head Fire Department told WJCL News, “I never had an extrication from an art piece, so that was a first.”

The Ashmolean Museum [acquired](http://www.ashmolean.org/assets/docs/Press/Ashmolean%5FPress%5FRelease%5F-%5FBurne-Jones%5Fletters%5F04.08.2015.pdf?ref=hyperallergic.com) an archive of correspondence between Pre Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones and Helen Mary (“May”) Gaskell. The artist had a romantic, platonic affair with the married society hostess. According to Josceline Dimbleby, Gaskell’s great-granddaughter, the pair corresponded up to five times a day.

A number of journalists and human rights activists [criticized](http://news.yahoo.com/journalist-slain-mexico-city-had-signs-torture-185503537.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) the investigation into the murder of photojournalist Rubén Espinosa. According to Mexico City prosecutor Rodolfo Ríos Garza, burglary is being considered as a motive in Espinosa’s death, despite the fact that the photojournalist was reportedly being harassed by state officials.

Johnnetta Betsch Cole, the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, published an article [defending](http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2015/08/exhibit%5Ffeaturing%5Fart%5Fowned%5Fby%5Fbill%5Fcosby%5Fwhy%5Fi%5Fkept%5Fit%5Fopen.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) the museum’s decision to keep [*Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue*](https://hyperallergic.com/an-open-letter-to-the-national-museum-of-african-art-regarding-bill-cosby/) — an exhibition of work loaned by Bill and Camille Cosby — open.

The British Library (completed 1997) became one of the youngest buildings in Britain to be [designated](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33733846?ref=hyperallergic.com) Grade I listed status.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/1280px-british_library_london.jpg)

The British Library, London (via Wikipedia)

Marek Maďarič, Slovakia’s culture minister, [filed](http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-bernini-criminal-complaint-slovakia-20150803-story.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) a criminal complaint against an unnamed individual in connection with Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s marble bust of Pope Paul V (1621). The work was recently acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo [announced](http://gothamist.com/2015/08/04/historic%5Fsites%5Fsaved.php?ref=hyperallergic.com) that $6.2 million in grants will be distributed to 16 historic sites that still require repairs in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

A fire [damaged](http://www.thelocal.it/20150804/blaze-damages-ancient-italian-unesco-site?ref=hyperallergic.com) the Pietro Griffo Archeological Museum in Sicily. The site, which is one of Italy’s 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, contains the ruins of six Greek temples.

UNESCO [signed](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/middleeast/iraq/11772875/500000-project-to-save-1000-year-old-mosque-threatened-by-Islamic-State.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) an agreement with Iraq to conserve the remains of Samara City. Under the terms of the agreement, $873,000 will be invested in protecting the World Heritage Site.

According to *The Art Newspaper*, the Public and Commercial Services Union [asked](http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/museums/158095/?ref=hyperallergic.com) incumbent National Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi to “intervene” in the ongoing dispute over staff privatization.

The World of Lygia Clark Foundation [ceased](http://en.artmediaagency.com/112610/world-of-lygia-clark-foundation-ceases-its-authentication-services/?ref=hyperallergic.com) its authentication services due to a legal battle between the artist’s sons, Eduardo and Alvaro Clark.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/girl-with-a-dove-1754.jpg)

Antoine Pesne, “Girl with Dove” (1754), oil on canvas, 55 x 46 cm (via Wikimedia)

US District Judge Jed Rakoff [rejected](http://www.startribune.com/judge-nixes-extradition-in-case-of-painting-looted-by-nazis/320541812/?ref=hyperallergic.com) Poland’s request to extradite Russian art dealer Alexander Khochinskiy. The dealer has been accused of knowing that Antoine Pesne’s “Girl with Dove” (1754) was stolen by the Nazis from the National Museum in Poznan when he acquired it.

Philip Kennicott, the *Washington Post*‘s art and architecture critic, opined that Melissa Chiu’s [decision](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2015/08/07/new-director-of-hirshhorn-snubs-dc-to-hold-40th-anniversary-gala-in-new-york/?ref=hyperallergic.com) to hold the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden’s 40th-anniversary gala in New York “is a snub” to the Washington arts crowd.

Two contractors were [injured](http://www.boweryboogie.com/2015/08/partial-collapse-at-210-bowery-injures-2-dob-issues-stop-work-order/?ref=hyperallergic.com) following a “partial wall collapse” at a construction site at 210 Bowery, New York. The Andrew Edlin Gallery, whose new location is directly next-door, [postponed](https://www.facebook.com/103532473021386/photos/a.152144474826852.29724.103532473021386/954941574547134/?type=1) a performance by Brent Green following the incident.

A stolen Stradivarius was [returned](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/arts/music/roman-totenbergs-stolen-stradivarius-is-found-after-35-years.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) to the daughter of its former owner after a California woman brought the instrument to violinmaker and dealer Phillip Injeian for appraisal.

The board of the Tubman African American Museum [voted](http://www.macon.com/2015/07/23/3856557%5Fdespite-clergy-complaint-preacher.html?rh=1&ref=hyperallergic.com) to keep Alfred Conteh’s work “The Preacher Pimp” on display following complaints by local clergy members.

A Banksy mural that was removed from the Packard Plant in Detroit is [estimated](http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/12863/controversial%5Fbanksy%5Fmural%5Fgoing%5Fup%5Ffor%5Fauction?ref=hyperallergic.com#.VcOt3BPBwXB) to fetch between $200,000 and $400,000 at auction.

Marshall University faces thousands of dollars in [potential fines](http://www.herald-dispatch.com/x45922568/Feds-probe-Marshall-artifact-collection?ref=hyperallergic.com) for allegedly failing to provide an inventory of Native American artifacts to federal officials.

The lawyer representing artist Danh Vō in his [ongoing legal dispute](https://hyperallergic.com/poll-who-is-the-bigger-baby-artist-danh-vo-or-collector-bert-kreuk/) with collector Bert Kreuk has [withdrawn](http://www.telegraaf.nl/filmenuitgaan/24342105/%5F%5FAdvocaat%5Fkunstenaar%5FVo%5Ftrekt%5Fzich%5Fterug%5F%5F.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) from the case.

Art dealer Magda Sawon [claimed](https://twitter.com/magdasawon/status/627202223131492352?ref=hyperallergic.com) to have rejected a consignment of two prints by the Suicide Girls. Back in May, the Suicide Girls [published](https://hyperallergic.com/art-movements-101/) prints of their Instagram posts in protest over Richard Prince’s appropriation of their images.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/magdasawon-tweet.png)

(via @magdasawon/Twitter)

The Saint Arnold Brewing Company [produced](http://glasstire.com/2015/08/05/a-new-art-beer-for-us-all/?ref=hyperallergic.com) a new IPA inspired by Houston’s annual [Art Car Parade](http://www.thehoustonartcarparade.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com).

Cindy Sherman will [play](http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/news/158127/?ref=hyperallergic.com) a character inspired by opera singer Maria Callas in a new film by artist Francesco Vezzoli.

Rome’s mayor Ignazio Marino [launched](http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2015/08/04/rome-mayor-launches-operation-clean-fountains%5F77617710-7633-42df-ab0e-eb3587840cea.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) a €50,000 (\~$55,000) initiative to clean the city’s most prominent fountains.

The Clark Hulings Fund will [accept applications](http://clarkhulingsfund.org/guidelines/?ref=hyperallergic.com) for their Business Accelerator Grants beginning September 1\. The grants are given to artists “who have secured tangible prospects for advancing their careers but lack the financial resources to capitalize on these opportunities.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/side-1.jpg)

(via thepenguinpostcardproject.wordpress.com)

David Brook, the editor, speaker, secretary, and press officer of the D.H. Lawrence Society, [resigned](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/petting-zoo-at-the-dh-lawrence-centre-angers-authors-admirers-10431867.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) from his posts in protest over a petting zoo that will travel to the D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre.

The OPAL Community Land Trust [launched](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409208180/float-edith-macefields-up-house-to-a-new-family?ref=hyperallergic.com) a Kickstarter campaign to save and transport the former home of Edith Macefield. The house was the inspiration for Carl Fredricksen’s so-called “balloon house” in the Pixar movie [*Up*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up%5F%282009%5Ffilm%29?ref=hyperallergic.com).

Future Artefacts, a three-day fair dedicated to “physical objects in media” (books, magazines, LPs etc.) [will debut](http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/02/future-artefacts-fair-london-physical-media-far-from-dead?ref=hyperallergic.com) in London in October.

## Transactions

The National Gallery of Art [acquired](http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/press/2015/recent-acquisitions.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) work by Mary Cassatt, Jan Miense Molenaer, Arshile Gorky, and Lewis Carroll.

The Portland Art Museum [announced](http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/08/portland%5Fart%5Fmuseum%5Fwill%5Fretur.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) that it will return 18 medicine bundles that were taken from Montana’s Crow Indian Reservation.

The Newseum in Washington, DC, [acquired](http://www.newseum.org/2015/08/05/set-of-the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-to-be-donated-to-the-newseum/?ref=hyperallergic.com) the set of *The Daily Show with Jon Stewart*.

The New-York Historical Society [acquired](http://www.nyhistory.org/press/releases/new-york-historical-society-museum-receives-two-major-gifts-charting-americas-art?ref=hyperallergic.com) 15 Hudson River School paintings from the late Arthur and Eileen Newman. The acquisition includes works by Thomas Cole, Martin Johnson Heade, Frederic Edwin Church, and Joseph F. Cropsey. The museum also acquired Ed Ruscha’s “Fanned Book” (2013), a gift of museum trustee Sid Lapidus and his wife Ruth.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/oncatskillcreeksunset_cole.jpg)

Thomas Cole, “On Catskill Creek, Sunset” (ca. 1845–47). New-York Historical Society. Collection of Arthur and Eileen Newman, Bequest of Eileen Newman (courtesy New York Historical Society) (click to enlarge)

## Transitions

Portland’s Museum of African Art and Culture will [close](http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/03/african-museum-to-close-downtown-location-convert-to-digital/?ref=hyperallergic.com) and digitize its collection.

Kate Eilersten will [leave](http://www.pressdemocrat.com/entertainment/4281851-181/sonoma-art-museum-director-leaving?ref=hyperallergic.com) her post as executive director of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art in order to establish her own consulting firm.

Sarah Munro was [appointed](http://artforum.com/news/id=54320?ref=hyperallergic.com) director of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

Allison Chew Syltie was [appointed](http://artforum.com/news/id=54218?ref=hyperallergic.com) director of Baylor University’s Martin Museum of Art.

Sanjit Sethi was [appointed](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2015/08/04/university-names-first-director-of-corcoran-school-of-the-arts-and-design/?ref=hyperallergic.com) the inaugural director of the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design.

Sarah Kennel was [appointed](http://pem.org/press/press%5Frelease/314-pem%5Fappoints%5Fsarah%5Fkennel%5Fas%5Fcurator%5Fof%5Fphotography?ref=hyperallergic.com) curator of photography at the Peabody Essex Museum.

Lizzie Carey-Thomas was [appointed](http://artreview.com/news/news%5F4%5Faug%5F2015%5Fcarey%5Fthomas%5Fhead%5Fof%5Fprogrammes%5Fserpentine/?ref=hyperallergic.com) head of programs at the Serpentine Galleries.

Matthew Girling was [appointed](http://artdaily.com/index.asp?int%5Fsec=11&int%5Fnew=80564&ref=hyperallergic.com#.VcSp4xPBwXB) global CEO of Bonhams.

## Accolades

Jukuja Dolly Snell was [awarded](http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/07/natsiaa-western-australian-artist-jukuja-dolly-snell-awarded-50000?ref=hyperallergic.com) the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award.

## Obituaries

![51r0tU6OVML._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/08/51r0tu6ovml-_sx331_bo1204203200.jpg)

The cover of Svetlana Boym’s ‘The Future of Nostalgia’ (2001)

[Svetlana Boym](http://complit.fas.harvard.edu/news/memoriam-professor-svetlana-boym?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1966–2015), art historian. Professor of Slavic and comparative literatures at Harvard University.

[Alan Cheuse](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/books/alan-cheuse-author-and-npr-book-critic-dies-at-75.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1940–2015), author and NPR book critic.

[Buddy Emmons](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/arts/music/buddy-emmons-virtuoso-of-the-steel-guitar-dies-at-78.html?%5Fr=0&ref=hyperallergic.com) (1937–2015), musician and steel guitar virtuoso.

[Charles Goldstein](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/nyregion/charles-goldstein-dies-at-78-sought-return-of-art-looted-by-nazis.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1936–2015), New York real estate lawyer. Served as counsel to the Commission for Art Recovery.

[Lance Kinz](https://news.artnet.com/people/lance-kinz-new-york-art-dealer-dead-at-64-323246?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1951–2015), art dealer.

[Robert Mosher](http://www.contractdesign.com/news/people/Architect-Robert-Mosher-Dies-at-Age-94-36512.shtml?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1920–2015), architect.

[Arnold Scaasi](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/fashion/arnold-scaasi-a-designer-who-dressed-generations-of-scaasi-girls-dies-at-85.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) (1930–2015), fashion designer.