Work includes study of black hole and quantum mechanics

Published 29 June 2011 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A Francis Bacon painting has sold for nearly £18m at auction in London on Tuesday. Study for a Portrait 1953 exceeded expectation as Christie's had valued the masterpiece at £11m. The oil canvas, which has not been up for auction before, was described as "an arresting and dark study in the degradation of power". It was previously owned by two of Bacon's contemporaries - Rodrigo Moynihan and Louis Le Brocquy. The work was the second most valuable piece to be sold at one of Christie's post-war and contemporary art sales, a spokesperson said. The highest selling work in this category was Bacon's Triptych, which went for £26.3m in February 2008. Other items sold at Tuesday's auction included Lucian Freud's Woman Smiling, 1958-59, which went for £4.7m. Seven works from the collection of Kay Saatchi went for a … [Read more...] about Francis Bacon work sells for £18m

On Sunday, citizens in Switzerland voted to support a referendum banning the wearing of face coverings in public settings, including those that are worn for religious purposes. According to CNN , “[t]he controversial proposal gained support of 51.21% of voters and the majority of the country’s 26 cantons, according to official provisional results published by the federal government.” It includes a ban on niqabs and burqas when worn in public settings. One of the groups behind the proposal was the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), described as “right wing” according to BBC reporting. The party pushed for the proposal using slogans like “Stop extremism.” The people who are against the ban point out that “it appears to be mostly pointless,” according to CNN . Andreas Tunger-Zanetti is a researcher at the University of Lucerne who has reportedly “been studying Islam in Switzerland since 2007.” According to Tunger-Zanetti’s’ new book, almost no one in the country wears a burqa and the … [Read more...] about Switzerland Bans Face Coverings In Public, Including Religious Wear | The Daily Wire

By Tim Masters Published 22 January 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A forthcoming Francis Bacon exhibition aims to make visitors think differently about the artist's "bleak and depressing" output. The summer show at Tate Liverpool is billed as the largest Bacon exhibition ever staged in the north of England. Artistic director Francesco Manacorda said the focus would be on Bacon's use of "ghost-like" frames around many of his subjects. On show will be around 30 paintings alongside rarely seen drawings. "This cage thing has never really been explored," Mr Manacorda said at Friday's launch event in London. "Focusing on this will help people look at the painting differently and understand the complexity. It's a good point of entry." Irish-born Bacon, who died aged 81 in 1992, is famous for his distorted images of people and is widely considered one … [Read more...] about Tate Liverpool set for ‘visceral’ Francis Bacon show

Published 29 March Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A 13th Century tower and former seat of royal power in the north of England is to reopen after a £5m revamp. York's Clifford's Tower ruin, which sits atop a 36ft (11m) mound, is one of the city's most famous landmarks. New walkways, stairs and a roof deck will allow visitors to see previously inaccessible parts of the structure, according to English Heritage. The 16-month upgrade went ahead after previous plans were withdrawn amid public opposition. A raft of conservation work was also carried out on the tower, including repairs to turret stairs, arrow slits, fireplaces and damaged stonework. Newly-visible areas include the original royal chapel and a toilet thought to have been built for Henry III. Workers widened the 55 steps to the tower entrance, adding new handrails and resting points added. A … [Read more...] about York Clifford’s Tower to reopen after £5m refurbishment

Since marrying Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan Markle has carefully curated her own style with a sense of aesthetic independence not usually associated with members of the royal family. Fiercely proud of the fact that she doesn't use the services of a stylist , Meghan has moved away from many established royal conventions both in her wardrobe choices and her working practices. From commissioning a French fashion brand to make her wedding dress to stepping out at royal functions in bold and exciting colors, Meghan has a strong connection with how she dresses. One fashion staple in the duchess' wardrobe that she is particularly fond of is the mini-dress. This 1960s invention has been reinterpreted over subsequent decades into a chic wardrobe essential. For the royals though, the mini dress or skirt is a rarely worn item. In the 1960s, the two leading royal followers of fashion did adopt the miniskirt, Princess Anne and Princess Margaret. Others, including the queen, have … [Read more...] about Meghan Markle and the modern royal mini dress

A teacher is speaking out about a little-known discount scheme with deals like 60% off at TX Maxx and 50% off at Amazon . Rhian Roberts, 29, is a primary school teacher and keen user of the Discounts For Teachers scheme. This scheme gives money off and vouchers for things like shopping, gym membership, financial services deals, bills and more. Current deals include £16 off a £60 shop at Sainsbury's, 50% off on certain products at Amazon, Office and Harvey Nichols and 20% discounts at Oasis. The scheme also gives money off holidays, like 15% off at Haven and 10% discounts at Hoseasons. Hotel stays are also included - like 15% off some stays at booking.com. The discount scheme is not just for teachers but for anyone who works in the education sector. This includes university staff, cleaners, administrative staff and more - and even volunteers and retired education workers can use it. Rhian estimates she saves around £100 a month using the scheme - … [Read more...] about Thousands of people missing out on discount scheme that offers 60% off at TK Maxx- and more

Victoria Beckham shares spoof clip of David Beckham singing Sign up for FREE for the latest news from the world of showbiz SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Dani Garcia, a Michelin star Spanish chef, has claimed Victoria Beckham , 48, caused problems with her dinner demands at a fellow celebrity's wedding. The chef claimed Victoria "changed [her] whole menu" due to her "complicated" requests. Related articles Amanda Owen confirms sudden split from grumpy husband Clive Fiona Bruce's 'toughest interview' as Lord Sugar shouted and swore It was very strange. Dani Garcia Dani said this happened in 2019 at the wedding of former Real Madrid footballer Sergio Ramos and model Pilar Rubio. He … [Read more...] about Victoria Beckham’s ‘complicated’ dinner demands chef to ‘change whole menu’ for her meal

It’s no surprise that the Love Island class of 2022 are studded with various famous connections. The iconic ITV2 dating show is known for making stars, from Molly Mae Hague to Maura Higgins, who both landed various jobs after the show along with brand sponsorships. But plenty of contestants have been famous even before their villa stint, including EastEnders legend Danny Dyer’s daughter Dani. This year is no difference, with footie ace Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma heading into the Majorcan paradise. She’s far from the only one with some famous connections, however - and Daily Star takes a look into the star-studded cast. Luca Bish’s famous exes Despite the show regularly catapulting stars to fame, it seems fishmonger Luca Bish is well used to the spotlight, as he used to date Strictly Come Dancing ’s Saffron Barker. They went out for a “few months”, and were even spotted in a cosy snap together cuddled up in bed as they told fans "good night" in an old snap. … [Read more...] about Love Island 2022 stars’ famous connections – Jack Grealish, Patsy Palmer and A-list exes

Steph McGovern in the press room at the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards 2018 (Image: Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images) Sign up for FREE for the latest news from the world of showbiz SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Chatty and friendly are the order of the day, something that pervades her successful daily Packed Lunch on Channel 4. And yet, the world might never have got to know her. "I come from Middlesbrough and I went to a college that was very much focused on the needs of the local area which is rooted in heavy industry," she explains. "We spent a lot of time getting input from companies like British Steel and ICI. I was pretty good at science so I saw my future in engineering." Related articles BBC's Naga Munchetty … [Read more...] about What Donald Trump said that made TV talkshow host Steph McGovern laugh

I will always remember the day they took away the history books. My small boarding school, on a rain-lashed Devon hilltop, had until that day taught us about the glory and grandeur of English history. It was a story of courage, freedom and the defeat of foreign threats. But these volumes, their pages soft from use, their illustrations in wistful black and white, were no longer acceptable. They were gathered up and carted off. Instead, we were given glossy, brightly-coloured replacements with larger print and supposedly exciting photographs of a brave new world. Luckily for me, the change came just too late. I had already absorbed all the old stuff and I would never be able to regard the 1945 Labour Government as being as exciting or interesting as the Battle of Trafalgar. I thought then, as I think now, that this country had indeed had a Glorious Revolution in 1688. Significantly, it was about the same time that they began to inflict the ‘New Maths’ on us – but once again I had … [Read more...] about PETER HITCHENS: Is there no way to stop the secret brainwashing of the next generation?