U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Rebooted

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 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)

Newly Discovered Vermeer Works

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 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/)

A New Van Gogh Biopic

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.

said his talent agent, Guy Guyerson.

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.

he said, Prince Harry also went on to state that he is similarly and also that his paintings He raised concerns about still having both his ears, but he feels that with sufficient acting prowess, he can overcome that hurdle.

he asked Oprah.

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/)