Aussies' Vestal Virgin

From the Nazi Olympics (next post down) to Mars, the Greek god of war. How's that for continuity? But a Van Dyke beard on a Greek god? Come on! Jacques Blanchard's Mars and the Vestal Virgin is the latest purchase by The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia. This $2m oil painting was paid for with insurance funds plus a "substantial" contribution from the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales. Not a bad buy - better than a $50m Picasso -, but that beard....