Art News

MADRID.- Through the generosity of the Rijksmuseum
in Amsterdam, from 3 December the Prado will be displaying a masterpiece by the
Dutch painter Frans Hals, Company of Captain Reijnier Reael and Lieutenant
Cornelis Michielsz Blaeuw (1633-1637), which was completed by his
fellow-countryman Pieter Codde. This magnificent work by one of the most
important Dutch painters of the 17th century is to be seen at the Museum as part
of its “Invited Work” programme. In 1885 Van Gogh said of it: “Just to see that
painting would make the journey to Amsterdam worthwhile”. The canvas will be
shown in conjunction with the exhibition Dutch Painters at the Prado and will
create a fascinating conclusion to this exhibition of Dutch paintings from the
Museum’s own collection. On view from 3 December through 11 April,
2010.

MIAMI, FL.- From December 3 through 6, 2009, Miami
Beach, Florida, will be home to the 8th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, the
international art show. More than 250 leading galleries from North America,
Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa will take part. Chosen by
renowned gallerists of the Art Basel Miami Beach Selection Committee, the
galleries will show works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st
centuries. Special sectors are devoted to very recent artworks, curated
exhibits, perfor-mance, and art in public spaces. This year, the layout
of Art Basel Miami Beach will be extensively redesigned, including larger spaces
for many galleries, and an innovative floorplan to improve the visitor
experience inside the Miami Beach Convention Center.

PARIS (AP).- The Louvre Museum and the royal palace
at Versailles were closed Thursday because of a French museum workers’ strike
that appears to be gathering steam. Frustrated tourists gathered
outside the landmark pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre, blocked off by
workers. They are protesting government plans not to replace half of retiring
public servants, which will affect the country’s national museums. The
strike began at the Pompidou Center for Modern Art last month and workers at
other national museums joined in Wednesday.

SAN DIEGO, CA.- The Museum of Contemporary Art San
Diego announced Qualcomm’s continued sponsorship of the 25 and under free
admission program for another two years. Thanks to this generous
support, all MCASD locations — downtown San Diego (Joan and Irwin Jacobs
Building and 1001 Kettner) and La Jolla — will continue this policy. Qualcomm
has been a major supporter of MCASD’s education programs for over 15 years and
the company’s generous support of the 25 and under free admission program is
helping to develop young arts enthusiasts.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY.- Born in 1938, Per Kirkeby is the best known
Danish artist of his generation and one of the most important contemporary
European artists. After a degree in geology and several expeditions to
Greenland, Kirkeby turned his attention entirely to the world of art in the
mid-1960s and embarked upon a journey that involved researching the vast
diversity of painting options while also working as a sculptor, architect,
printer, illustrator, film maker and author. Retrospective on view from
26 September through 10 January, 2010.