Billionaires Black and Lauder Partner in Art Investments
Billionaires Leon Black and Ronald Lauder collaborated on high-value art acquisitions through an LLC named Friends Ventures, as revealed in recently released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The files indicate that the two men jointly purchased several artworks, including a 1920 assemblage by Kurt Schwitters, and three pieces appraised at $93.5 million, which they acquired for a total of $31.6 million. Their art dealings date back to at least 2001, highlighting the intersection of art and finance among the ultra-wealthy.
Artist Erases Angel's Face Resembling Meloni in Basilica
Bruno Valentinetti, the artist responsible for a fresco in the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina, has erased an angel's face resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following complaints from Vatican officials. The removal occurred after the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Diocese of Rome initiated inquiries into the depiction, which had drawn public attention and controversy. Valentinetti confirmed that he covered the face at the request of the Vatican, stating, 'The Curia wanted it that way.'
Museum of Fine Arts Boston Cuts 33 Jobs Amid Deficit
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA) has laid off 33 employees, representing 6.3% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring to address a $13 million structural deficit, effective January 30. MFA director Pierre Terjanian stated that the layoffs were not aimed at any specific demographic, asserting that the proportion of staff identifying as people of color remains unchanged at one-third. However, critics have raised concerns that the cuts disproportionately affected curators of color, including notable figures such as Nadirah Mansour and Marina Tyquiengco.
