Author Archives: Michael

More than 90 years ago, the state of South Dakota commissioned a sculptor named Gutzon Borglum to select a mountain in that state where he could sculpt some figures from the Old West as a tourist attraction. But instead, Borglum … Continue reading →

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly … Continue reading →

During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a bind. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. After careful reflection, he decided to ask the women … Continue reading →

A few years ago, there was a fascinating article in Bloomberg about how the prices of some paintings are falling rapidly. As I read the article, I wondered just how much paintings actually go for. The most expensive painting according … Continue reading →