Gallery pays Aussie record price for painting

19.09.2008

Don`t drop it ... Bords de la Marine by French impressionist Paul Cezanne is the most expensive painting ever bought in Australia. Picture: Charlie Brewer

A MASTERPIECE by French impressionist Paul Cezanne has been bought for a record $16.2 million by the Art Gallery of NSW, in its most ambitious purchase ever.

Bords de la Marine, painted by Cezanne in 1888, was in the private collection of a Swiss family for more than 100 years, before gallery curator Edmund Capon pounced to acquire a painting he admitted he had wanted for 25 years.

Mr Capon said today the painting, the most expensive ever bought in Australia, was a major achievement for the gallery and the "most ambitious acquisition" in its history.

"25 years ago when we launched the (Art Gallery) Foundation, I put at the top of the list of things we needed to do was Cezanne," he said at the painting`s unveiling in Sydney today.

"It`s long overdue that we had one on the walls of this gallery."

The painting will be on public display in the gallery`s old courts.

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Don`t drop it ... Bords de la Marine by French impressionist Paul Cezanne is the most expensive painting ever bought in Australia. Picture: Charlie Brewer

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KYLIE Minogue is closing in on the Wiggles` dominance of Australia`s entertainment rich list.

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The singer earned $40 million in the last year to see her clinch second spot on the annual BRW Top 50 Entertainers list.

Pics: Top ten earning Aussie entertainers

Minogue`s fortune is closer than anyone has got to children`s entertainers the Wiggles in years.

They took the top position for the fourth year running after amassing $45 million in 2007-08 - $5 million less than they earned the previous year.

BRW editor-in-chief Sean Aylmer said Kylie`s growing fortune, up $13 million, was in part thanks to her sell-out world tour.

"Her extremely successful world tour explains why she has done so well," Aylmer said.

"Performers earn more now through performing rather than CD sales."

Rounding out the top five are rich list veterans actors Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman and children`s entertainers Hi-5.

Nicole Kidman, who gave birth to daughter Sunday Rose this year, was notably absent from the top 10.

Her income was $4.5 million this year, compared with $35 million the year before.

"Actors tend to change a lot," Aylmer said.

Kidman`s husband, country singing star Keith Urban, is seventh with $12.3 million, behind actress Cate Blanchett on $14 million.

Rock Group AC/DC, filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell and Anthony LaPaglia have also made the top 10.

Aylmer said this year`s list saw surprise inclusions from artists, models and tribute groups.

"It`s a much more diverse list this year than normal," he said.

The new face of David Jones, Miranda Kerr, made $3.6 million to come in at 25th, ahead of her Myer rival Jennifer Hawkins - two spots behind with $3.3 million.

Aylmer said the most impressive debut was the Pink Floyd tribute band, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, which came in at 14th after earning $6.5 million.

An ABBA tribute band was also on the list.

Actors and musicians dominated the list while five authors made the list, including Bryce Courtenay.

Broadcaster Alan Jones earned about $5 million to come in at 21.

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