Glad tidings we bring - it's the Cassone Christmas issue!

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We have been on holiday too! The January issue is in preparation. Meanwhile, do explore our archive - full of interesting things!

The appreciation of art is after all one of the greatest gifts one can have. Cassone tries to represent all aspects of the art world to the whole world in each issue, and this Christmas edition is no different. We are giving you an eclectic mix to take your mind away from the festive frenetic activity, which  seems to start earlier each year.

We have covered exhibitions here and in the USA that display a range of art, from old masters to exponents of Pop art – even the humble sink is celebrated. Our books reviewed vary from a Bloomsbury cook book to one on Robert Dudley and Elizabethan Art.

If the skies have been too grey and cold for too long, take a look at the review of Henry Matthew’s book on the Greco Roman Cities of Turkey. Wonderful buildings under very blue skies! Meanwhile Jenny Kingsley has visited another place we associate with lovely scenery, Cornwall. Jenny went to Penlee House, Gallery and Museum, in Penzance, which has a large collection of work by the early and later Newlyn artists.

Fifty-five paintings from the Scottish National Gallery are on a tour of the USA, starting with a selection of 10 works on show at The Frick, and these were seen by Victoria Keller. She tells us that the exhibition works well in the intimacy of the Frick's surroundings, but she would like to see what the other US venues make of the full complement of 55 works.  If you thought that paintings of kitchen sinks belonged to the EustonRoadSchooland the Kitchen Sinkartists in Britain during the 1930s,think again:in the Museum of Modern Art in New York Stephen Bury found the exhibition ‘Including the Sink. Robert Gober: The Heart is not a Metaphor’. Stephen says this exhibition ‘is brilliantly spaced and laid-out….’  This show is on until 18 January while The Frick exhibition is on until 1 February, so plenty of time to catch them if you are visiting New York this winter, or are lucky enough to live there.

Janet Tyson has been visiting London from the USA. She went to the Royal Academy to see the Allen Jones exhibition, which spans the entire career of this British Pop artist and is on until 25 January.

Julio Larraz is now recognized as one of the most important Latin American Artists of our time. Born in Cuba, when he went to the States he worked for ten years as a caricaturist before devoting himself solely to painting. He talks to Cassone about his art and life.

As this is  our Christmas edition we are including more book reviews than normal, as we know some of you are looking for presents and others for some holiday reading, so do look at all the books in our Art and Artists, Architecture and Design, and Photography and Media sections.

And don’t forget to come back to Cassone through the month for our Art News    updates.

May I take this opportunity on behalf of the editorial board, and Frances and myself, of wishing you a very Happy Christmas.

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Cassone – ca-soh-neh – the elaborately  decorated chest that a wealthy Italian bride of the Renaissance period used to hold her trousseau: a box of beautiful things.