Stunning Close-Ups of Prado Paintings On Google Earth

Tuesday, 13^th January 2009

Prado Paintings In Stunning Close-Up On Google Earth (Global Technology)
Armchair tourists who are used to travelling the globe with Google Earth can now use the same technology to crawl all over the masterpieces in one of the world's most famous galleries: the Prado. The Madrid museum and the internet search giant today unveil the first use of Google's mapping programme to allow art lovers to get so close to their favourite paintings that even the brush strokes are visible.

The Guardian (UK)

Artists: Art Schools Unfairly Raise Students' Expectations (Global Issues)
Art colleges have expanded at an even greater pace than universities in the last decade. Between 1998-99 and 2006-07, the number of art students at undergraduate level in the UK rose by 23.6%, compared with 20.6% across all subjects. But the colleges say they have made up for this with extra tutors and resources. They provide business courses - in how to publicise a gallery, for example - so that students have other skills.

The Guardian (UK)

Sarkozy Promises Free Museum Admission To Under-25s (France)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the country's national museums and monuments will soon stop charging admission to visitors under 25. Sarkozy says the measure will go into effect April 4.
Associated Press

Reorganization Begins At Christie's; Jobs Will Be Cut (New York, US)
We have begun to implement a companywide reorganization, which includes significant staff reductions, not renewing many consultants' contracts and the continuation of other cost-reduction initiatives, that will ensure we remain competitive and profitable in 2009,' Christie's said in a statement on Monday, without saying how many positions might be cut or giving any further details.

The New York Times