A Magnificent Etching of a Roman Column by Piranesi

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) and Francesco Piranesi (1758-1810)
Veduta del Prospetto principale della Colonna Antonina (Front view of the column of Marcus Aurelius)
From Trofeo o Sia Magnifica Colonna Coclide or The Trophy or Magnificent Spiral Column of Marble
Rome: 1774-79
Etching, mounted on 20th century wove paper
112 ½" x 26 ½"

Giovanni Battista Piranesi was an Italian etcher, draughtsman and architect best known for his monumental volume Vedute di Roma. A lifelong champion of Rome, Piranesi published more than a thousand etchings depicting the 18th century city and ancient Roman monuments. Piranesi’s images were thought to be so magnificent that travelers visiting Rome on their grand tours were left disappointed by the actual city.

This engraving, printed on six sheets, is from the series Trofeo o Sia Magnifica Colonna Coclide, dedicated solely to the illustration of Trajan’s column and the column of Marcus Aurelius in Rome. This series is thought to be from the last phase of Piranesi’s career, when a number of works in progress were finished with assistance from his son, Francesco. The column depicts the story of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ Danubian wars, waged by him from 166 to his death, and the column itself is thought to date to the year 193.

This magnificent engraving is currently on display at our new location at 432 Jackson St., San Francisco and is available for purchase. Please contact Arader Galleries at 415.788.5115 for additional information.

The International Year of Astrology

Andreas Cellarius

From Harmonia Macrocosmica
Amsterdam: 1708

This year commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to study the skies and Kepler's publication of Astronomia Nova. With the quadricentennial of modern astronomy upon us, Arader Galleries celebrates the numerous astronomical and scientific milestones by highlighting a particular celestial cartographer or work of art each month. Indeed, the history of astronomy can be traced through its imagery—particularly through the development of celestial maps. This month, we highlight the extraordinary work of Andreas Cellarius.

Science and art come together in celestial maps to an effort to shape a rational image of the heavens. Andreas Cellarius’s Atlas Coelestis seu Harmonia Macrocosmica, published in Amsterdam in 1708, in one of the most historically and artistically important manifestations of such an effort. Certainly, in addition to their lavish aesthetic appeal, the celestial charts of Andreas Cellarius comprise the most sweeping, ambitious project in the history of celestial cartography, one which also illustrates the historical tensions of the time. In his distinctive visual language, Cellarius portrayed the often conflicting theories that prevailed. In addition to the relatively obscure notions of Tycho Brahe and Schiller, Cellarius’s charts track the theories of Ptolemy, dating from the 2nd century AD, and Copernicus’s 16th-century challenge to the venerable ancient astronomer.

Cellarius’ project was not devoid of political motivation. Up to his time of artistic activity, the Netherlands had been the unquestioned center of scientific discovery, and Dutch mapmakers had reigned supreme above all others. In the early 18th century, Louis XV of France sought to bring his country to the forefront of science, and by association, to imply political dominance. His efforts led to a great competition between France and the Netherlands, and Cellarius’ sweeping project was an attempt to thwart French attempts completely. In some cases, Cellarius incorporated French elements into his maps, like acanthus leaves which can be seen often on French furniture of the period. By attempting to use French visual elements more skillfully than they themselves could, Cellarius implied the Netherlands’ artistic superiority. Consequently, Cellarius’ work remains a landmark of the Golden Age of Exploration, combining great artistic beauty with scientific documentation. The vibrant hues, spanning the color spectrum, give amazing animation to the images, and the skies appear to come alive with bright figures.

Of all the sciences, the history of astronomy is the most resonant with a sense of mystery and intellectual excitement. We believe that maps and other images of the heavens succeed in some degree in conveying that resonance. We invite you to stop by the gallery at 432 Jackson Street to see our magnificent collection of Celarius prints or call 415.788.5115 to request a catalog.

Please check back next month as Arader Galleries will be presenting the extraordinary masterpiece Uranometria by Johann Bayer.

A Distribution of Watercolors by Pierre-Joseph Redoute

Plate 170 - Stoloniferous Golden Winter-Star
Original watercolor on vellum for Les Liliacées

Art is commonly understood to denote skill used to produce aesthetic result. Applying this definition to the work of Pierre-Joseph Redoute, reveals an artist who has produced the highest quality of art. Indeed, Redoute’s Les Liliacees displays his mastery of both technical and artistic skill. Les Liliacees challenges limitation and delicately captures the infinite beauty of nature.

Les Liliacees was Redoute’s largest and most ambitious work, for he carefully recorded the anatomical details of blossom and bulb that allow a scientist to classify the plant according to the Linnean System. Produced under the patronage of Empress Josephine at Malmaison, these watercolors have been legendary for over 200 years.

Arader Galleries is pleased to invite you to join us on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in New York City at our 1016 Madison Avenue gallery for the distribution of 100 of the original watercolors on vellum. Painted by Pierre-Joseph Redoute for the Empress Josephine between 1802 and 1814, these 100 watercolors are from his iconic masterpiece Les Liliacees. 50 shares are available and each share will contain 2 watercolors.

Arader Galleries San Francisco currently has a selection of Redoute watercolors available for viewing that will be included in the syndication. The exquisiteness of these watercolors cannot be represented in a photograph and must be viewed in person! We would be happy to bring these watercolors to your home should a visit to the gallery not be convenient for you.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own an original watercolor by the artist considered to be the greatest flower painter! For more information, or to reserve your share in the syndication, please call Arader Galleries at 415.788.5115.

Jackson Square: Where Art and Architecture Integrate

For those unfamiliar with the Historic Jackson Square District, it is roughly bounded by Broadway, Sansome Street , Washington Street, and Columbus Avenue in San Francisco. The historical districts often challenge the public to expand its understanding of the integration of architecture, art, and urban development. Indeed, Jackson Square provides the perfect environment for such contemplation.

It remains a mystery as to how so many San Franciscans remain unaware of this historic district. Jackson Square is the most important integration of art and architecture in San Francisco, providing its guests with bas-relief buildings, showcasing the cities finest art and antique dealers. Approximately two dozen dealers are open for retail or to the trade. From American and European fine art and furnishings, to Asian carpets and vintage posters, every store has a specialty, and all are appointed like small museums.

For anyone drawn to the allure of European cities, romanced by their nostalgic architecture, Jackson Square is sure to please. The 19th century architecture faces tree lined streets and quiet alleys. The evocation of time and history is aroused by the fact that these buildings survived the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, as well at the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Although, a historic presence is undeniable, its contemporary setting is perhaps equally as engaging. Indeed, Jackson Square's proximity to the financial district enables a backdrop of high-rises, most notably of the Transamerica building.

Quite simply, Jackson Square offers world-class art and antiques, in a setting that warrants a special trip. Spend the whole day indulging your senses and conclude with a gourmet meal at one of Jackson Square ’s award-winning restaurants. No matter what your sphere of interest might be, Jackson Square offers collectors luxurious sophistication.

Arader Galleries Presents: The Collection of Dr. Russell Abrams

Arader Galleries is pleased to invite you to an opening reception for a special exhibition of the collection of Dr. Russell Abrams. Dr. Russell Abrams, educated at Harvard (BA) and Yale (PhD), teaches aesthetics as well as philosophy of mathematics at California State University East Bay. Formerly a professor at Caltech and Dartmouth, he has been collecting art for over 20 years. He specializes in late 19th and early 20th century drawings, however his interests also extend into the areas of paintings and sculpture.

The artworks are on display and avilable for sale at Arader Galleries from March 25 - March 29, 2009.

Reception:
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Exhibition:
March 25th - March 29, 2009

For more information please call 415.788.5115

Arader Galleries San Francisco is expanding!

Arader Galleries is thrilled to announce that it is opening a new gallery location at 432 Jackson Street, across the street from our existing location at 435 Jackson in the Historic Jackson Square district of San Francisco. Featured in the new location will be Arader Galleries’ extraordinary collection of cartography, Californiana, travel books, and architectural material as well as a collection of antique furniture. Of course we still have a fantastic collection of botanical and natural history material, which will remain at 435 Jackson.

We invite you to stop by on Friday, March 20th for a special open house to view the new space and for coffee, tea and refreshments.

Open House Reception
Friday, March 20, 2009: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
432 Jackson Street, San Francisco

For more information, please call 415.788.5115 or visit www.aradersf.com.

Collecting in Today's Market

The Sense of Sight, John the Elder

"The purchase of art in periods of economic uncertainty represents a logical fulfillment of mankind’s deep need to preserve a sense of stability. In the absence of consistent monetary value, what could be more reassuring than to play for very different stakes—so that money becomes linked, not to some arbitrary standard like gold or the dollar, but to another human activity which implies a level of sensibility and high intelligence, both functional and concrete?" (Pierre Restany, Art Aktuell)

It comes as no surprise that the present economic environment encourages careful analysis of the art market in order to understand the unique buying opportunities that occur when the markets are down. As part of our efforts to better serve our cliental, members of the Arader team attended Collecting in Today’s Market at the SFMOMA. Janet Bishop, curator of painting and sculpture at the SFMOMA, lead a panel which included respected gallery owners, chairmen of established auction houses, art advisors and prominent Bay Area collectors. The panel addressed the way economic shifts affect the art market and the speakers’ respective strategies for collecting in today’s market.

Most notably, respected gallery owners revealed insightful feedback regarding collectors’ attitudes about the market. The feeling is that collectors are less interested in the buzz and more focused on art that has historical, personal, or simply even aesthetic value. Indeed, the fastest way to destroy art is to make it part of the profit-making setup, so corrective periods such as these are needed to remind collectors and artists: ars gratia artis! Nonetheless, a serge of optimism revived dealers on Monday, as the auction of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s Collection pulled in over $266 million. The result shattered the record for a single-owner, single-session sale and almost all pieces sold for well above their estimates, indicating that collectors have returned. Indeed, the results will be a huge boost for the nervous art market and collectors alike.

All in all the discussion left us informed but, most importantly, inspired about the opportunistic climate. True collectors will continue to love art and will continue to make smart investments in quality art pieces. Fortunately, current market conditions allow collectors more art to choose from, allowing them to acquire pieces previously unattainable. Collectors should in fact be rejoicing! Indeed, as the art market experiences a time of correction, now is the time for scrutiny but also for enthusiasm and appetite. We invite you to visit us on Jackson Street and to view our collection online at www.aradersf.com.