'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

  




"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," wrote Margaret Wolfe Hungerford in her 1878 book, Molly Bawn. And perhaps no quote has ever been so true. The book produced a song by The Dubliners that tells the strange tale. (See below.)

Now I don't want you to think this banana, duct taped to an art gallery wall, is just a banana. It certainly isn't. It is what we connoisseurs in the art world called BRILLIANT! And if you just 'don't see it,' then begone with you! We art types run deep in appreciation of brilliance and you, my friend, must love a grand 'sofa size' painting of a sunset that you might see at a 'starving artists' exhibition by the side of the road on a nice summer weekend.

The big difference is easily seen in the price one is willing to pay. The 'sofa size' painting of some starving artist might set you back $50 or so. This 'Banana Taped to the Wall' masterpiece called "Comedian" is one exhibit now by the renowned Italian artist, Muarisio Cattelans at ART Basel in Miami Beach for a bargain $120,000! Surprised you uncouth anti-art appreciator?

The artist is also known for his $6 million gold toilet which was sadly stolen from The Blenhiem Palace earlier last year by some thief who really had to go.

Sad ending to the "Comedian," it was eaten by a starving artist thus nixing the sale. True story... but somewhat of a stunt... or, the banana was spoiling. No charges were filed.

"Three studies.. "

But by how art is valued, that isn't much of an exaggeration considering this triptych "Three studies of Isabel Rawsthorne" by Francis Bacon that sold at Sothbey's auction for $17.4 million. It must have been well framed. 

Molly Bawn by  the Dubliners

Oh come all ye late fellows that follows the gun
Beware of night ramblin' by the setting of the sun
Beware of an accident as happened of late
It was Molly Bawn Leary and sad was her fate

She'd been gone to her uncle's when a storm it came on
She drew under a green bush the shower for to shun
With her white apron wrapped around her he took her for a swan
Took aim and alas it was his own Molly Bawn

Oh young Jimmy ran homeward with his gun and his dog
Sayin' uncle, oh uncle, I have shot Molly Bawn
I have killed that fair female, the joy of my life
For I'd always intended that she would be my wife

Oh young Jimmy Ranlon, do not run away
Stay in your own country till your trial it comes on
For you'll never be convicted of the shootin' of a swan

Well the night before Molly's funeral her ghost it did appear
Saying uncle, dearest uncle, let young Jimmy run clear
It being late of an evening when he took me for a swan
Took aim and alas he killed his own Molly Bawn

Now all the girls of this country they seem to be glad
Since the flower of Glen Ardagh, Molly Bawn she lies dead
Get all girls of this country, stand them into a row
Molly Bawn would shine above them like a fountain of snow

 

So now you know "the rest of the story.