On Friday, thousands of dinosaur fans gathered to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Shen” (Chinese word for god) in Singapore before it is auctioned in Hong Kong. However, experts have raised concerns regarding such significant objects being in the hands of private collectors making them inaccessible to people or scientists.&nbsp;

The 2.2 metres long and 4.6 metres high, with a 1,400 kg frame, Shen is composed of 80 bones and is thought to be male. It will also be reportedly the first T-rex skeleton auctioned in Asia. Auction company Christie’s president in Asia-Pacific, Francis Belin, said, “None of the 20 T-Rex that exist in the world is owned by either an Asian institution or an Asian collector.”&nbsp;

Meanwhile, experts have raised objections over this trend of auctions for significant prehistoric objects.&nbsp;“It’s a sad thing that dinosaurs are becoming collectible toys for the oligarch class, and I can only hope this fad ends soon,” said palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, Steve Brusatte to AFP.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dino-predator-tyrannosaurus-rex-may-have-three-species-not-one-says-study-457767">Dino predator Tyrannosaurus rex may have three species, not one, says study</a>

Echoing a similar sentiment, Thomas Carr, a palaeontologist from the US asserted that these sales are “harmful to science” even after the skeletons&nbsp;are being studied before they are sold as a secure permenant collection ensures that&nbsp;a scientist has&nbsp;access&nbsp;so that a fossil "can be tested and replicated" while commercially held fossil does not.

The fossil&nbsp;will be on display for three days before being shipped to Hong Kong for the auction in November. It was found only a few years ago and excavated from private land in Hells Creek Formation in the US state of Montana in 2020. However, the guide price or the identity of the seller has not been revealed.

Reports suggest that Shen lived at least 67 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. Notably, this is not the only T-rex fossil&nbsp;to be sold as Christie’s also sold “Stan” for $ 31.8 million. Earlier this year, a skeleton of a Gorgosaurus, which is said to be the first of its kind, was auctioned for $ 6.1 million in New York.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/christies-to-auction-special-recording-of-blown-in-the-wind-493965">Christie's to auction special recording of 'Blown in the wind'</a>

Christie’s also hopes that some public institutions buy Shen so that it could be seen by the public, said Beline and added, “We strongly hope that the new owner, whether it’s an institution or private, will ensure that it’s being seen by the public.” Furthermore, the auction company has also reassured that Shen has been fully researched and recorded in 3D as well as “all the elements of the skeleton will be made available for the public to research.”

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

On Friday, thousands of dinosaur fans gathered to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Shen” (Chinese word for god) in Singapore before it is auctioned in Hong Kong.

On Friday, thousands of dinosaur fans gathered to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Shen” (Chinese word for god) in Singapore before it is auctioned in Hong Kong. However, experts have raised concerns regarding such significant objects being in the hands of private collectors making them inaccessible to people or scientists. The 2.2 metres long and 4.6 metres high, with a 1,400 kg frame, Shen is composed of 80 bones and is thought to be male. It will also be reportedly the first T-rex skeleton auctioned in Asia. Auction company Christie’s president in Asia-Pacific, Francis Belin, said, “None of the 20 T-Rex that exist in the world is owned by either an Asian institution or an Asian collector.” Meanwhile, experts have raised objections over this trend of auctions for significant prehistoric objects. “It’s a sad thing that dinosaurs are becoming collectible toys for the oligarch class, and I can only hope this fad ends soon,” said palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, Steve Brusatte to AFP. ALSO READ: Dino predator Tyrannosaurus rex may have three species, not one, says study Echoing a similar sentiment, Thomas Carr, a palaeontologist from the US asserted that these sales are “harmful to science” even after the skeletons are being studied before they are sold as a secure permenant collection ensures that a scientist has access so that a fossil "can be tested and replicated" while commercially held fossil does not. The fossil will be on display for three days before being shipped to Hong Kong for the auction in November. It was found only a few years ago and excavated from private land in Hells Creek Formation in the US state of Montana in 2020. However, the guide price or the identity of the seller has not been revealed. Reports suggest that Shen lived at least 67 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. Notably, this is not the only T-rex fossil to be sold as Christie’s also sold “Stan” for $ 31.8 million. Earlier this year, a skeleton of a Gorgosaurus, which is said to be the first of its kind, was auctioned for $ 6.1 million in New York. ALSO WATCH: Christie's to auction special recording of 'Blown in the wind' Christie’s also hopes that some public institutions buy Shen so that it could be seen by the public, said Beline and added, “We strongly hope that the new owner, whether it’s an institution or private, will ensure that it’s being seen by the public.” Furthermore, the auction company has also reassured that Shen has been fully researched and recorded in 3D as well as “all the elements of the skeleton will be made available for the public to research.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘Harmful to science’: T-rex skeleton in Singapore sparks debate about auctions of prehistoric objects

A long-lost sculpture of Mary Magdalene, one of the last completed by the great Italian artist Antonio Canova before his death in 1822, has been rediscovered. It can fetch up to $10 million when it heads to auction in July.

Described by auction house Christies' as the Italian neoclassical sculptor's "lost masterpiece," "Maddalena Giacente" (Recumbent Magdalene) was commissioned by the Earl of Liverpool, then British prime minister, and took three years to carve.

Depicting Mary Magdalene in a state of religious ecstasy, the sculpture was completed just before Canova's death in 1822.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/200-year-old-italian-statue-damaged-after-a-tourist-poses-for-photograph-318630">Also read |&nbsp;200-year-old Italian statue damaged after a tourist poses for photograph</a>

“It is a miracle that Antonio Canova’s exceptional, long-lost masterpiece has been found, 200 years after its completion,” said Dr Mario Guderzo, a leading Canova scholar and former director of the Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova.&nbsp;

“This work has been searched for by scholars for decades, so the discovery is of fundamental importance for the history of collecting and the history of art.”

Writing about the Recumbent Magdalene in 1819, Canova said: “I exhibited another model of a second Magdalene lying on the ground, and almost fainting from the excessive pain of her penitence, a subject that I like very much, and that has earned me a lot of indulgence, and very flattering praise.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/true-colours-of-ancient-greek-and-roman-statues-283884">Also see |&nbsp;True colours of ancient Greek and Roman statues</a>

The sculpture, currently on show at Christies' London, will go on tour to New York and Hong Kong.&nbsp;

Donald Johnson, Christie’s international head of sculpture, said the rediscovery was “a highlight within my 30-plus-year career in the field”.

He said: “This sculpture represents an extensively documented commission from a major figure in British history, the prime minister Lord Liverpool, whose purchase of the Magdalene is a testament to the love that British collectors had always show for the work of the great neo-classical sculptor Antonio Canova.”

"It was one of the highlights of the Art Treasures exhibition in Manchester in 1857...it was sold with the contents of a house to a gentleman...there was a fire at the house. He had an auction of the contents, and by the time that auction happened in 1938, the identity was lost and she was just referred to as a classical figure."

(With inputs from agencies)

A long-lost sculpture of Mary Magdalene, one of the last completed by the great Italian artist Antonio Canova before his death in 1822, has been rediscovered. It can fetch up to $10 million when it heads to auction in July.

A long-lost sculpture of Mary Magdalene, one of the last completed by the great Italian artist Antonio Canova before his death in 1822, has been rediscovered. It can fetch up to $10 million when it heads to auction in July. Described by auction house Christies' as the Italian neoclassical sculptor's "lost masterpiece," "Maddalena Giacente" (Recumbent Magdalene) was commissioned by the Earl of Liverpool, then British prime minister, and took three years to carve. Depicting Mary Magdalene in a state of religious ecstasy, the sculpture was completed just before Canova's death in 1822. Also read | 200-year-old Italian statue damaged after a tourist poses for photograph “It is a miracle that Antonio Canova’s exceptional, long-lost masterpiece has been found, 200 years after its completion,” said Dr Mario Guderzo, a leading Canova scholar and former director of the Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova. “This work has been searched for by scholars for decades, so the discovery is of fundamental importance for the history of collecting and the history of art.” Writing about the Recumbent Magdalene in 1819, Canova said: “I exhibited another model of a second Magdalene lying on the ground, and almost fainting from the excessive pain of her penitence, a subject that I like very much, and that has earned me a lot of indulgence, and very flattering praise.” Also see | True colours of ancient Greek and Roman statues The sculpture, currently on show at Christies' London, will go on tour to New York and Hong Kong. Donald Johnson, Christie’s international head of sculpture, said the rediscovery was “a highlight within my 30-plus-year career in the field”. He said: “This sculpture represents an extensively documented commission from a major figure in British history, the prime minister Lord Liverpool, whose purchase of the Magdalene is a testament to the love that British collectors had always show for the work of the great neo-classical sculptor Antonio Canova.” "It was one of the highlights of the Art Treasures exhibition in Manchester in 1857...it was sold with the contents of a house to a gentleman...there was a fire at the house. He had an auction of the contents, and by the time that auction happened in 1938, the identity was lost and she was just referred to as a classical figure." (With inputs from agencies)

Italian artist Antonio Canova's lost masterpiece 'Maddalena Giacente' rediscovered

A painting by Sir Winston Churchill dating back to World War II era and owned by Angelina Jolie has been auctioned for £8.285m (USD 11 m approx). 
 
The painting was auctioned at a price four times more than its estimated cost and beat the previous record price for a Churchill which sold under £1.8m (USD 2m approx).&nbsp; 
 
Jolie had been the owner of the painting for a while now before she decided to put it on auction. 
 
Titled as 'Tower Of The Koutoubia Mosque'- the painting was Churchill's only artwork during the World War II era. The painting was sold on Monday at Christie's in London to an unidentified buyer. 
 
Churchill drew a 12th-century mosque in Marrakech at sunset with the Atlas Mountains in the background. It is believed that the painting was finished post the Casablanca Conference of January 1943, where Churchill and US President Franklin Roosevelt planned the defeat of Nazi Germany. 
 
At the time, Winston Churchill gave the painting to Roosevelt as a birthday present.&nbsp;

The painting was sold after the US president died in 1945 and it had several owners before actress Angelina Jolie and her then-partner Brad Pitt bought it in 2011. The couple got separated in 2016 and subsequently divorced three years later and the painting was sold on Monday by the Jolie Family Collection.

A painting by Sir Winston Churchill dating back to World War II era and owned by Angelina Jolie has been auctioned for £8.285m (USD 11 m approx). The painting was auctioned at a price four times more than its estimated cost and beat the previous record price for a Churchill which sold under £1.

A painting by Sir Winston Churchill dating back to World War II era and owned by Angelina Jolie has been auctioned for £8.285m (USD 11 m approx). The painting was auctioned at a price four times more than its estimated cost and beat the previous record price for a Churchill which sold under £1.8m (USD 2m approx). Jolie had been the owner of the painting for a while now before she decided to put it on auction. Titled as 'Tower Of The Koutoubia Mosque'- the painting was Churchill's only artwork during the World War II era. The painting was sold on Monday at Christie's in London to an unidentified buyer. Churchill drew a 12th-century mosque in Marrakech at sunset with the Atlas Mountains in the background. It is believed that the painting was finished post the Casablanca Conference of January 1943, where Churchill and US President Franklin Roosevelt planned the defeat of Nazi Germany. At the time, Winston Churchill gave the painting to Roosevelt as a birthday present. The painting was sold after the US president died in 1945 and it had several owners before actress Angelina Jolie and her then-partner Brad Pitt bought it in 2011. The couple got separated in 2016 and subsequently divorced three years later and the painting was sold on Monday by the Jolie Family Collection.

Winston Churchill's painting owned by Angelina Jolie sold at an auction at Christie's 

Christie`s will present 20th Century Modern Masters from a Private French Collection in the 20th Century Art Evening Sale and The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale, to be held on 23 March.

The collection is comprised of eight works by Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Max Ernst, Jean Fautrier, Fernand Leger and Joan Miro.

This exceptional group offers an insightful view into the crucial dialogues that connected avant-garde artists working in Europe and America throughout the 20th Century, highlighting the friendships, artistic innovations and the exchange of ideas that shaped the century, both before and after the Second World War. 
 
Dating from 1913, Leger`s Deux femmes couchees illustrates his bold, graphic style of cubism (estimate: £1,200,000-1,800,000), which resonates with the formal structures of Dubuffet`s post-war Paris `Circus` and `Hourloupe` styles, both hybridised in Paysage du Pas-de-Calais III (1963, estimate: £2,500,000-3,500,000). Radical mixed-media impasto is employed to very different ends in Dubuffet`s Le Vase de Barbe (1959, estimate: £2,000,000-3,000,000), Max Ernst`s Aux 100,000 colombes (1925, estimate: £1,200,000-1,800,000) and Fautrier`s Pièges (1946, estimate: £1,000,000-1,500,000). Finally, close links can be seen between Calder`s Submarine Christmas Tree (1947, estimate: £4,000,000-6,000,000) and the intuitive, whimsical visual language of surrealists such as Miro. 
 
Anika Guntrum, International Director, 20th - 21st Century, Christie`s: "20th Century Modern Masters from a Private French Collection reflects the pioneering spirit of the collection with works that, seen together, create a carefully constructed dialogue between movements, artists and continents. This spirit is echoed in the eight paintings presented as a major highlight of Christie`s 20th Century season in London. The scope of the collection provides insight into those artists - Calder, Dubuffet, Ernst, Fautrier, Leger and Miro - whose vision and innovation defined the 20th century and whose legacy and influence is seen in the artists practising today. We are thrilled to offer these works in the Spring season of 20th Century art." 
 
Keith Gill and Tessa Lord, Co-Heads of Sale, 20th Century Art Evening Sale, Christie`s: "Together with three major works from an important Swiss Surrealist collection, we are thrilled to present another exquisite collection, from France on this occasion, to the London market in 2021. We are confident that this opening season will see international collectors centre around this significant moment in the art world calendar. We look forward to engaging established and new audiences alike in our live-streamed auctions and events, providing opportunities to explore artworks that defined the trajectory of artistic practise throughout the 20th century."

Christie`s will present 20th Century Modern Masters from a Private French Collection in the 20th Century Art Evening Sale and The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale, to be held on 23 March.

Christie`s will present 20th Century Modern Masters from a Private French Collection in the 20th Century Art Evening Sale and The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale, to be held on 23 March. The collection is comprised of eight works by Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Max Ernst, Jean Fautrier, Fernand Leger and Joan Miro. This exceptional group offers an insightful view into the crucial dialogues that connected avant-garde artists working in Europe and America throughout the 20th Century, highlighting the friendships, artistic innovations and the exchange of ideas that shaped the century, both before and after the Second World War. Dating from 1913, Leger`s Deux femmes couchees illustrates his bold, graphic style of cubism (estimate: £1,200,000-1,800,000), which resonates with the formal structures of Dubuffet`s post-war Paris `Circus` and `Hourloupe` styles, both hybridised in Paysage du Pas-de-Calais III (1963, estimate: £2,500,000-3,500,000). Radical mixed-media impasto is employed to very different ends in Dubuffet`s Le Vase de Barbe (1959, estimate: £2,000,000-3,000,000), Max Ernst`s Aux 100,000 colombes (1925, estimate: £1,200,000-1,800,000) and Fautrier`s Pièges (1946, estimate: £1,000,000-1,500,000). Finally, close links can be seen between Calder`s Submarine Christmas Tree (1947, estimate: £4,000,000-6,000,000) and the intuitive, whimsical visual language of surrealists such as Miro. Anika Guntrum, International Director, 20th - 21st Century, Christie`s: "20th Century Modern Masters from a Private French Collection reflects the pioneering spirit of the collection with works that, seen together, create a carefully constructed dialogue between movements, artists and continents. This spirit is echoed in the eight paintings presented as a major highlight of Christie`s 20th Century season in London. The scope of the collection provides insight into those artists - Calder, Dubuffet, Ernst, Fautrier, Leger and Miro - whose vision and innovation defined the 20th century and whose legacy and influence is seen in the artists practising today. We are thrilled to offer these works in the Spring season of 20th Century art." Keith Gill and Tessa Lord, Co-Heads of Sale, 20th Century Art Evening Sale, Christie`s: "Together with three major works from an important Swiss Surrealist collection, we are thrilled to present another exquisite collection, from France on this occasion, to the London market in 2021. We are confident that this opening season will see international collectors centre around this significant moment in the art world calendar. We look forward to engaging established and new audiences alike in our live-streamed auctions and events, providing opportunities to explore artworks that defined the trajectory of artistic practise throughout the 20th century."

Christie's to present 20th Centuary Modern Masters from French collection