Monster Mash: Artist Lucian Freud dies; Met sees big attendance

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

RIP: British artist Lucian Freud, famous for his unconventional nude paintings, has died at age 88. (Los Angeles Times)

Popular: New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art said it has broken attendance records in the past fiscal year. (WNYC)

Policy change: An Egyptian official said the ministry of antiquities would be downgraded to a Cabinet-affiliated office and not be its own ministry. (Los Angeles Times)

Stumbling block: The building of a Frank Gehry-designed cultural site in Arles, France, faces delays due to concerns over its possible effect on the city’s heritage. (The Art Newspaper)

Unabomber: The National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington has unveiled a new exhibit devoted to convicted murderer Ted Kaczynski. (MSNBC)

Money trouble: Plans to build the U.S. National Slavery Museum in Virginia could be halted by an unpaid tax bill. (New York Times)

Stalemate: The musicians’ union of the Philadelphia Orchestra is continuing to push for the release of information relating to the orchestra’s endowments, despite resistance from management. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Out of control: The cost of producing a Broadway show is big compared with London. (New York Times)

Ensemble piece: Rachel Griffiths and Judith Light are joining the cast of the upcoming Broadway transfer of ‘Other Desert Cities.’ (Hollywood Reporter)

New purchases: The Philadelphia Museum of Art has announced acquisitions of works by Monet, Pissarro and more. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Cultural diplomacy: Conductor Charles Dutoit of the Philadelphia Orchestra wants to create a joint South and North Korean youth orchestra. (Associated Press)

Also in the L.A. Times: Television critic Mary McNamara reviews Eddie Izzard’s solo show at the Hollywood Bowl.

-- David Ng

Lucian Freud self portrait. Credit: Centre Pompidou / European Pressphoto Agency