عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Michelangelo's Scribble Sells for $200,000 at New York Auction

The small work by Michelangelo depicts a block of marble, with the word "simile," or "similar" in English, according to Christie's auction house. ANGELA WEISS / AFP/File
The small work by Michelangelo depicts a block of marble, with the word "simile," or "similar" in English, according to Christie's auction house. ANGELA WEISS / AFP/File
TT
TT

Michelangelo's Scribble Sells for $200,000 at New York Auction

The small work by Michelangelo depicts a block of marble, with the word "simile," or "similar" in English, according to Christie's auction house. ANGELA WEISS / AFP/File
The small work by Michelangelo depicts a block of marble, with the word "simile," or "similar" in English, according to Christie's auction house. ANGELA WEISS / AFP/File

A square scribbled on a yellowed piece of paper by Renaissance genius Michelangelo sold for $201,600 -- 33 times its estimated value, auction house Christie's said Wednesday.
Found stuck to the back of a frame, the small drawing accompanied by a letter from Michelangelo's last direct descendant was initially expected to sell for between $6,000 and $8,000, AFP said.
But Christie's in New York said the piece went under the hammer for "33.6 times its low estimate," without disclosing any details of the buyer.
The small work depicts a block of marble, with the word "simile," or "similar" in English. It is believed to have been drawn while Michelangelo worked on his famed Sistine Chapel ceiling, a Christie's specialist told AFP in January.
The drawing is coupled with a letter written by Cosimo Buonarroti in 1836, in which he offers the piece by his "illustrious forefather Michelangelo" to Sir John Bowring, the future governor of Hong Kong, whose signature appears at the bottom of the sheet.
Christie's specialists found the letter and diagram attached to the back of a different drawing that had been in a private collection for decades, the auction house said in a media statement.
Though unsigned by Michelangelo, Christie's said that research confirmed the great Italian artist was responsible for the small drawing.
Fewer than 10 of Michelangelo's works are thought to be privately owned, according to Christie's, with most housed in the Casa Buonarroti, a museum in Florence, Italy.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Library to Launch 26th Free Reading Festival

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA
The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Library to Launch 26th Free Reading Festival

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA
The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA

The King Abdulaziz Public Library, in cooperation with the Riyadh Education Department, will launch its 26th annual Free Reading Festival for public school students on Sunday.

Running from May 10 to 14 in Riyadh, the festival will bring together more than 100 schools, over 1,550 students, and a number of educators and teachers.

It aims to foster a love of reading and learning, expand students’ literary, scientific, and cultural horizons, and encourage teachers to promote independent reading. It will also provide a platform to showcase student talents and strengthen Arabic language skills.

Through initiatives like this festival, the King Abdulaziz Public Library promotes reading through diverse programs and a wide range of books that foster pride in the Kingdom’s heritage.

Culture

Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
TT
TT

Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa, north of Qassim Region, stands as one of the oldest traditional weekly markets, enduring through changing times while maintaining its role as a vibrant economic and cultural hub.

The market draws a growing number of visitors from across Qassim and beyond, supported by the governorate’s strategic location.

During a field tour, the Saudi Press Agency observed lively activity throughout the market, with stalls displaying a diverse range of products. These include agricultural goods such as almonds and dried figs; animal products like ghee and milk, for which the region is renowned; as well as handicrafts and natural items such as henna and sidr.

Visitors noted that the market has retained its authentic character, continuing to serve as a vital source of income for small vendors and families working in the cottage industry, reinforcing its role as a key platform for preserving traditional culture while supporting the local rural economy.

Culture

Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
TT
TT

Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA

Al-Nasb Heritage District in Abha is one of the most prominent living examples of traditional architecture in Aseer Region, preserving its long history and architectural details that embody people’s connection to their local environment and document the social and cultural patterns that have shaped the identity of the place across generations.

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition, where mud and stone buildings stand side by side in visual harmony. They were built using local materials such as stone, clay, and juniper trunks, while the narrow alleyways and closely set buildings give the district a cohesive social character that reflects the spirit of past communities in the region and the close relationship between people and place.

The Heritage Commission has revived the district through an integrated restoration and rehabilitation project aimed at preserving its original elements and enhancing its sustainability, as part of national efforts to protect urban heritage and highlight it as a cultural and tourism asset, SPA reported.

The site is also distinguished by its natural setting, as the district overlooks the banks of Abha Valley and surrounding farms, giving it a distinctive visual and aesthetic dimension. Its narrow passageways and closely set buildings illustrate a traditional urban pattern that strengthens ties among residents and captures the nature of social life in that era.

The district is now a growing destination for culture and tourism in Abha, attracting visitors and heritage enthusiasts who come to explore the details of authentic architecture and learn about the traditional ways of life that have shaped Aseer Region’s identity across generations. The project helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving archaeological sites as a key pillar in forming national memory.

The project is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to protect and effectively manage cultural heritage, in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, which gives special attention to the cultural sector. It seeks to turn heritage sites into vibrant spaces that support cultural tourism and sustainable development while reconnecting society with its historical roots.