LOOSE CHANGE: APRIL 2, 2023

President Biden's choice to head the nation's coming 250th anniversary commemorations is planning to relaunch the project on July 4, promising to get beyond the internal squabbles, mismanagement allegations and mushrooming litigation that have paralyzed the project for years.

At a closed-door meeting Monday, Rosie Rios, chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, secured members' approval for her plans, which include gathering suggestions from the public about how the anniversary should be observed. She also intends to ask Congress for a significant increase in the commission's annual appropriation.

Ms. Rios, who was U.S. treasurer in the Obama administration, said her new initiative, America's Invitation, would encourage the American public to suggest their own ideas, tell their own stories, share interesting narratives about their own experiences, about their own communities. Those suggestions would lead to a multiyear planning effort for 2026, she said...

To read the complete article (subscription required), see:
Commission Planning America's 250th Anniversary Attempts Reset (https://www.wsj.com/articles/commission-planning-americas-250th-anniversary-attempts-reset-323cd063)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
2026 INDEPENDENCE COMMEMORATIVE IDEAS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n34a14.html)
MORE 2026 INDEPENDENCE COMMEMORATIVE IDEAS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n37a13.html)

 

While taking inventory in preparation for an estate sale in Yorkshire County, England, a pair of agents stumbled upon an astonishing collection of canine-inspired oil paintings by Johannes Vermeer.

The unbelievable discovery explains why there were thought to be so few works by Vermeer, as only some 35 paintings were previously attributed to the artist.

Art conservators from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam confirmed that all of the paintings were from the hand of the Dutch painter after conducting material tests and analyzing the signatures in verso. In an interview with Hyperallergic, one of the estate sale agents said that they were still breathless from the discovery after the paintings were attributed to Vermeer.

To read the complete article, see:
Newly Discovered Trove of Vermeer Works Reveals He Painted Mainly Dogs (https://hyperallergic.com/811644/newly-discovered-trove-of-vermeer-works-reveals-he-painted-mainly-dogs/)

In a casting decision sure to make ripples all over Hollywood, representatives for Prince Harry have confirmed that he will play Vincent van Gogh in an upcoming biopic about the infamous painter. It seems clear now that the ex-royal is not only determined to follow his wife, Meghan Markle, away from life in the British monarchy but into her former profession of acting.

Prince Harry is thrilled about this opportunity to further raise awareness about mental health issues, said his talent agent, Guy Guyerson. He identifies with Vincent van Gogh in so many ways.

Following the announcement, Prince Harry made a surprise drop-in on the Oprah Winfrey Show to further elucidate his connection to the famed — a famously troubled — Dutch painter.

For one thing, we are both redheads, he said, which is a burden that should not be underestimated. Prince Harry also went on to state that he is similarly tortured, and also that his paintings don't really look like the things they are supposed to be. He raised concerns about still having both his ears, but he feels that with sufficient acting prowess, he can overcome that hurdle.

Or … they won't cut it off, will they? he asked Oprah. They won't cut it off, right?

To read the complete article, see:
Prince Harry to Star in New Van Gogh Biopic (https://hyperallergic.com/811716/prince-harry-to-star-in-new-van-gogh-biopic/)

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