Ring side seats

Gustave D. Riquet (France, 1866-1937) "Une Course de Taureaux aux Arenes d'Arles" (The bull fight at Arles). Oil on canvas, signed lower left Gustave Riquet. Accompanied by a 1930 era letter from the artist and correspondence from Musee De Picardie in Amiens, France. Canvas measures: 25.25" x 31.5". Ht: 29" Width: 35.5"

With much of the world's attention centred on another spectator sport viewed from an arena, mine has been on securing this at auction. I am particularly drawn to the blue of the sky and the burnt orange red of the fencing at the bullring's lowest level, a combination I find quite irresistable. At the moment I'm not entirely sure about the frame, which I'm reluctant to label, but I think would be described more as art nouveau than anything else. However, as this and other recent purchases are investments, it will be stored in Scotland, so the niceties of hanging are not important. Indeed original frames, unless completely hideous and out of character, are best left on the pictures. 

A letter (above and below)  from Riquet to the owner in 1930 describes his drawing and painting process, which is a very interesting piece of history and background relating to the picture.

An elephant in the room

This Art Nouveau style elephant and mahout (bronze c. 1906) was sold at auction recently for USD2,000 - well above its estimate of USD1,200 - proving the enduring popularity of these delightful creatures. Now some might claim I have a prejudice, having decried the recent animal sculptures that I featured, but obviously as well as admiring the craftsmanship, the scale of this piece (23.5" high), versus those of the reptiles is a lot more forgiving.

Well, the mind boggles if this had been made on the same scale as the crocodile and the snake.

Although by his headress the mahout is obviously Indian, elephants are obviously popular creatures here in Thailand, as they are a native species, and include the rare white elephant; such is the esteem of these that one of the royal honours bestowed on the deserving few is a class of the Order of the White Elephant, established by King Rama IV in 1861. (The Order of the Elephant is also the highest order of chivalry in Denmark.)