I went to a presentation at the Currier Museum of Art on the theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Boston.This presentation was in conjunction with the Currier's current exhibit "The Secret Life of Art: Mysteries of the Museum Revealed." It was a fascinating look inside the mysterious and seemingly glamorous world of art theft and clearly of interest to others as the auditorium was packed with at least 300 people.
The largest art theft in history took place on March 18, 1990 and is still actively pursued by the FBI & security from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Anthony Amore, chief of security at the Gardner Museum, and special agent Geoffrey Kelly gave us an inside look.
The first part of the presentation was a little slow as Mr.Amore presented all the facts of the theft complete with images of the crime scene. It was heart breaking to hear him describe the destruction of such valuable pieces- the thieves sliced the canvases out of the frames. My assumption had always been that thieves do this to roll the works up for easy transport, but he said the lack of paint chips pointed to them being carried out flat. Paintings this old, with many rounds of restoration and relined with layers of linen, have stiffened with age. Shock number one!
Mr Amore also referred to the thieves throughout the presentation as common thugs and miscreants. At first it sounded like anger or indignation at the act but he continued on to counter the common belief that art heists are ordered by wealthy people who want to possess singular pieces. He said their have been no known instances of this from solved cases. Art thieves generally are common criminals who have stars in their eyes caused by estimated values of artwork. They often hope to ransom the works back to the museums they were stolen from.
Another misconception is that all art in museums is insured. This seems unbelievable but then I think to my own experience with helping to guide people on art insurance. It isn't always the best use of your money. If a piece is truly one of a kind, no amount of insurance money can replace it. And in the case of the Gardner Museum it is stipulated that the collection remain intact or dissolved with all proceeds going to Harvard. Harvard has tactfully not tried to rub salt into this particular wound by demanding the museum be dissolved. The Gardner holds out hope that the art will be returned and the collection restored to its original and intended state.
By the end of the lecture it became clear that Anthony Amore and Geoffrey Kelly are a dog and pony show to help keep the memory and facts about the heist alive. It is part of the Gardner's plan to retrieve the art. It is a very noble dog and pony show though, one I was interested in hearing. I am interested enough to be eagerly anticipating a book about art theft by Anthony Amore due out this spring!
Be sure to partake of all the interesting programming that the Currier has scheduled around the "The Secret Life of Art: Mysteries of the Museum Revealed."
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Catherine Tuttle - Peaks and Valleys

Catherine Tuttle’s distinctively styled paintings are enjoyed throughout Northern New England, with shows in Vermont, Massachusetts, and her home state of New Hampshire. She is best recognized for her vibrant colors and striking approach to natural subject matter. Although nature is a constant in Catherine’s paintings, she has successfully depicted a variety of subjects - familiar New Hampshire landscapes, tidal streams and marshes, and bright garden flowers.



Thursday, September 16, 2010
How to Hang a Piece of Art
At McGowan Fine Art I hang artwork all the time. I hang art in the gallery. I hang art at client's homes or offices. It is so much fun that on weekends I will change artwork around in my own home. When people watch me do it they want to know if I use a laser level and how I do it so fast. I don't use a laser because a regular level works just fine and I am fast because I do it all the time..... and I have a system down. For you, loyal readers, I am going to share the patented McGowan Fine Art can't fail hanging directions.
Hanging Art on a Wire
Things to know
§ Height: In general, art should be hung so that when a person of average height (moderately tall woman, shorter man) looks at the piece, their eye falls approximately ⅓ of the way down into the image.
§ Bump-ons: These small plastic circles keep art from moving once on the wall. Put 1 in both of the bottom corners, right up to the edge of the piece.
How to hang:
1. First, determine the appropriate height by holding the piece up to the wall. Make a small mark immediately above the frame in the approximate center of the piece.

2. Grasp a tape measure, with the end held in the opposite hand With the piece resting on the floor, glass towards your body, hold your fingers, centered, under the wire (approximately 8-12” apart – more for a large piece, less for a small piece) and pull the wire taut. Measure the horizontal distance between the two spots (for argument’s sake let’s say 10 inches), and the vertical distance down from the top of the frame (For argument’s sake we will say it is 7 inches.) If it’s easier, you can make a little mark on the piece where your fingers are, so you have something to measure.

3. Measure from the mark you made on the wall the vertical distance you found measuring the wire-( 7”). Make a mark.
4. Measure out horizontally from this new mark ½ the distance you found measuring the wire (the 10 inch measurement) – make a mark, one on either side of your center height mark. These marks will be the same distance apart as your horizontal measurement (10 inches.) Try to keep these roughly at the same height. Estimating is okay as long as you are close – if you have a tough time keeping them the same height, just measure down from the ceiling for both marks to make sure they’re the same.
5. Put your 2 hooks in the wall, making sure that the bottom of the hook (not the nail) goes at your mark.
6. Hang the piece on the wire, making sure to support the piece carefully until the wire is secure on both hooks. Use a level to double check that the piece is straight. Voila!
Hanging Art on a Wire
Things to know
§ Height: In general, art should be hung so that when a person of average height (moderately tall woman, shorter man) looks at the piece, their eye falls approximately ⅓ of the way down into the image.
§ Bump-ons: These small plastic circles keep art from moving once on the wall. Put 1 in both of the bottom corners, right up to the edge of the piece.
How to hang:
1. First, determine the appropriate height by holding the piece up to the wall. Make a small mark immediately above the frame in the approximate center of the piece.
2. Grasp a tape measure, with the end held in the opposite hand With the piece resting on the floor, glass towards your body, hold your fingers, centered, under the wire (approximately 8-12” apart – more for a large piece, less for a small piece) and pull the wire taut. Measure the horizontal distance between the two spots (for argument’s sake let’s say 10 inches), and the vertical distance down from the top of the frame (For argument’s sake we will say it is 7 inches.) If it’s easier, you can make a little mark on the piece where your fingers are, so you have something to measure.
3. Measure from the mark you made on the wall the vertical distance you found measuring the wire-( 7”). Make a mark.
4. Measure out horizontally from this new mark ½ the distance you found measuring the wire (the 10 inch measurement) – make a mark, one on either side of your center height mark. These marks will be the same distance apart as your horizontal measurement (10 inches.) Try to keep these roughly at the same height. Estimating is okay as long as you are close – if you have a tough time keeping them the same height, just measure down from the ceiling for both marks to make sure they’re the same.
5. Put your 2 hooks in the wall, making sure that the bottom of the hook (not the nail) goes at your mark.
6. Hang the piece on the wire, making sure to support the piece carefully until the wire is secure on both hooks. Use a level to double check that the piece is straight. Voila!
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