Latest news with #MichaelDaley
The Guardian
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
That muscular back! Those fleshy breasts! The National Gallery's ‘fake' Rubens looks very real to me
Samson, a huge muscular hunk of a man, slumbers in the lap of his seducer Delilah, in a bedchamber sumptuously lit by candle. As Delilah looks down on the unconscious form of the great biblical hero, her accomplice is cutting the very tangled locks that hold his superhuman strength. Meanwhile, at the door, soldiers are waiting by torchlight. At the heart of it all is Samson's rippled naked back, nestled on the woman's pink silk skirts. Is this a painting by the Flemish baroque master Peter Paul Rubens? Hell, yes. The wonder is that anyone would ever think otherwise. And yet some do. Michael Daley and his campaigning group ArtWatch UK, and the art historian Euphrosyne Doxiadis (among others), are getting traction with their claims that the National Gallery owns a 'fake' or 'modern copy' and is covering up that reality. They appear to be talking about a different painting from the one I know. In an UnHerd article about her long struggle to disprove this painting's attribution to Rubens, Doxiadis reveals that, from the moment she first beheld it at the National Gallery in the 1980s, she rejected it – and still does – as 'a shoddy artefact, lacking the brilliance of my favourite European painter'. We've all got our own tastes, but I cannot recognise this description. Shoddy artefact? Samson and Delilah currently hangs in a gallery of other Rubens masterpieces and easily takes its place there – it commands the room, draws you in, and it repays detailed, repeated looking. I looked at it again only last week, as I have been looking at it for years, always finding new nuances. This lovely painting, however, has been confusing people since the National Gallery bought it in 1980 because it doesn't look like the cliche of a Rubens. Where are the swirly draperies, fiery skies and flouncy paintwork? But it doesn't look typical of him for a good reason: it is his passionate attempt to paint like someone else. When Rubens painted Samson and Delilah in 1609-10, he had recently returned to his home in Antwerp, Belgium, after an eight-year working holiday in Italy. While this was typical of north European artists in the dying years of the Renaissance, he stayed longer than most, studying the dead greats such as Leonardo, Michelangelo and Titian but also becoming obsessed with one living artist – Caravaggio, whose works were prominent in Rome and Florence. They never met because Caravaggio went on the run after killing a man in 1606, but unknown to him, he had an eloquent champion in Rubens. After Caravaggio's shockingly real, even godless painting The Death of the Virgin was rejected by a church in Rome, Rubens persuaded the Duke of Mantua to buy it and when his collection was sold to Charles I this radical Caravaggio came to Britain – before ending up in France after Charles was beheaded. Rubens also clearly copied Caravaggio's Medusa into his own works, more than once, including on Athena's shield in the National Gallery's Judgement of Paris. But Samson and Delilah is Rubens's most extravagant homage to Caravaggio, a painting in which he tries to fully understand this outlaw artist's lighting, sensual shocks, and even his creamy yet exact brushing, which means a much smoother, more consistent surface than you get with later, more expressive and 'painterly' Rubens canvases. The soldiers at the door, the old woman with the candle, the hair-cutting – though Caravaggio preferred to sever the whole head – are gloriously Caravaggio-like. The way that Rubens lingers on every shadowed furrow of that exposed male back is very like Caravaggio, too. It also resembles Rubens's powerfully erotic drawings of male nudes – including his enthusiastic portrayals of classical statuary. Yet only Rubens could have painted both this lavishly sexualised male body and, just inches away, dote on Delilah's breasts with that strip of linen setting off their fleshiness. This is more than voyeurism. Delilah is one of many powerful women who appear in Rubens paintings – so frequently, indeed, that it's another clue to his authorship. Even when he's imitating Caravaggio, Rubens can't help being himself. The light is his, the candle glow is buttery and warm, like a pancake in an Antwerp kitchen. That mixture of southern sensuality and northern homeliness is another Rubens trait. The quirkiness of this painting that gets some people's goat – its cocktail of Caravaggio-ism and Rubens's own carnal abandon – is actually a clue to its authenticity. What copyist would have been so subtle as to recreate this moment when Rubens takes on Caravaggio – especially in the earlier 20th century when Caravaggio was not rated as he is today? The window for such a faking is improbably narrow – between the 1950s when Caravaggio started to be rediscovered and 1980 when this was bought by the National Gallery. I've criticised the National Gallery plenty but it does not engage in cover-ups. In 2010, it put on an exhibition owning up to 'fakes' in its collection. That information is also on labels in its rehang: for example, the label for Giorgione's The Sunset reveals that Saint George and the dragon are a modern addition. It is not confessing anything about the Rubens because there's nothing to confess. Is Samson and Delilah a 'shoddy artefact' that a 20th-century copyist could have slapped together? No, it is a superb, seductive masterpiece about the power of desire, in which Rubens assimilates the vision of Caravaggio while remaining utterly himself.
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
NSW government to spend $500m on criminal system as remand custodies skyrocket
Half-a-billion dollars will be splashed on NSW's beleaguered criminal justice system after tough new domestic violence bail laws resulted in a record number of people locked up on remand. The funding will include an additional $227m as part of the 2025-26 budget over five years for the Victims' Support Service, including strict monitoring for high-risk DV offenders as well as $50m for a victim-survivor hub. Sydney's main criminal courts, the Downing Centre and John Madison Tower in the CBD, will also be refurbished and upgraded as part of the package, including at least 15 new courtrooms to be located somewhere in the CBD. Premier Chris Minns said the package, which was announced on Monday, meant well-needed funding would go to making NSW safer and better protecting victim-survivors. 'We will deliver new courtrooms and a unique new hub allowing vulnerable victim-survivors to testify from a different location than their perpetrator. This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children.' Attorney-General Michael Daley said the courtroom upgrades and victim-survivor services were 'crucial to reduce courtroom trauma for child complainants and witnesses in sexual abuse cases' and increasing court capacity. 'The Government is also beefing up resources to support industrial manslaughter prosecutions to deter unsafe work practices. 'These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system.' Slated to be opened in 2027, the 'vulnerable persons court hub' will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via a video link, including in DV and family violence matters, reducing the trauma of being in the court complex. The hub joins more than $34m in funding for upgrades to the Downing Centre courthouse and the adjoining John Madison Tower, or JMT, including at least five new courtrooms and at least 10 virtual courtrooms. The NSW Office of Director of Public Prosecution will also receive a further $48.3m to fund additional solicitors, as well as funding for staff working in child sexual offence cases and to address demand on corrections services. The state government will spend an additional $100.5m on the state's correction system in light of new DV bail laws that resulted in a record spike of alleged offenders being behind bars on remand awaiting trial or sentence. At least half of the funding will go to frontline domestic, family, and sexual violence services, including almost $10m for the implementation of the strict new Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders for offenders. Other measures include five-year contracts for domestic and family violence support services, funding for a new common approach to offender risk assessments – a factor in sentencing – and a new DV and family violence workforce strategy. It comes amid the passage of controversial youth bail laws in NSW which divided members of the Labor caucus, and as crime in regional communities continues to make headlines, including violence and theft offences. Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan welcomed the government's announcement on Monday, stating that victim-survivors in the state were currently waiting up to two months for support from state services. Nonetheless, Ms Donovan said more was needed. 'We believe much of this represents the continuation of existing state and federal funding – not new investment,' she said. 'This is not enough. Victim-survivors deserve more than business as usual. 'Yes, we welcome the fulfilment of longer-term reforms such as five-year contracts, workforce development strategy implementation, and new data strategies. 'But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point – operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs.' Ms Donovan urged the state government to 'listen – really listen – to the voices of victim-survivors, and the frontline workers' and to adequately support services.
West Australian
01-06-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
NSW government to spend $500m on criminal system as remand custodies skyrocket
Half-a-billion dollars will be splashed on NSW's beleaguered criminal justice system after tough new domestic violence bail laws resulted in a record number of people locked up on remand. The funding will include an additional $227m as part of the 2025-26 budget over five years for the Victims' Support Service, including strict monitoring for high-risk DV offenders as well as $50m for a victim-survivor hub. Sydney's main criminal courts, the Downing Centre and John Madison Tower in the CBD, will also be refurbished and upgraded as part of the package, including at least 15 new courtrooms to be located somewhere in the CBD. Premier Chris Minns said the package, which was announced on Monday, meant well-needed funding would go to making NSW safer and better protecting victim-survivors. 'We will deliver new courtrooms and a unique new hub allowing vulnerable victim-survivors to testify from a different location than their perpetrator. This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children.' Attorney-General Michael Daley said the courtroom upgrades and victim-survivor services were 'crucial to reduce courtroom trauma for child complainants and witnesses in sexual abuse cases' and increasing court capacity. 'The Government is also beefing up resources to support industrial manslaughter prosecutions to deter unsafe work practices. 'These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system.' Slated to be opened in 2027, the 'vulnerable persons court hub' will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via a video link, including in DV and family violence matters, reducing the trauma of being in the court complex. The hub joins more than $34m in funding for upgrades to the Downing Centre courthouse and the adjoining John Madison Tower, or JMT, including at least five new courtrooms and at least 10 virtual courtrooms. The NSW Office of Director of Public Prosecution will also receive a further $48.3m to fund additional solicitors, as well as funding for staff working in child sexual offence cases and to address demand on corrections services. The state government will spend an additional $100.5m on the state's correction system in light of new DV bail laws that resulted in a record spike of alleged offenders being behind bars on remand awaiting trial or sentence. At least half of the funding will go to frontline domestic, family, and sexual violence services, including almost $10m for the implementation of the strict new Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders for offenders. Other measures include five-year contracts for domestic and family violence support services, funding for a new common approach to offender risk assessments – a factor in sentencing – and a new DV and family violence workforce strategy. It comes amid the passage of controversial youth bail laws in NSW which divided members of the Labor caucus, and as crime in regional communities continues to make headlines, including violence and theft offences. Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan welcomed the government's announcement on Monday, stating that victim-survivors in the state were currently waiting up to two months for support from state services. Nonetheless, Ms Donovan said more was needed. 'We believe much of this represents the continuation of existing state and federal funding – not new investment,' she said. 'This is not enough. Victim-survivors deserve more than business as usual. 'Yes, we welcome the fulfilment of longer-term reforms such as five-year contracts, workforce development strategy implementation, and new data strategies. 'But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point – operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs.' Ms Donovan urged the state government to 'listen – really listen – to the voices of victim-survivors, and the frontline workers' and to adequately support services.
Perth Now
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Bold plan to make Aussie state ‘safer'
Half-a-billion dollars will be splashed on NSW's beleaguered criminal justice system after tough new domestic violence bail laws resulted in a record number of people locked up on remand. The funding will include an additional $227m as part of the 2025-26 budget over five years for the Victims' Support Service, including strict monitoring for high-risk DV offenders as well as $50m for a victim-survivor hub. Sydney's main criminal courts, the Downing Centre and John Madison Tower in the CBD, will also be refurbished and upgraded as part of the package, including at least 15 new courtrooms to be located somewhere in the CBD. Premier Chris Minns said the package, which was announced on Monday, meant well-needed funding would go to making NSW safer and better protecting victim-survivors. 'We will deliver new courtrooms and a unique new hub allowing vulnerable victim-survivors to testify from a different location than their perpetrator. This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children.' Attorney-General Michael Daley said the courtroom upgrades and victim-survivor services were 'crucial to reduce courtroom trauma for child complainants and witnesses in sexual abuse cases' and increasing court capacity. 'The Government is also beefing up resources to support industrial manslaughter prosecutions to deter unsafe work practices. Premier Chris Minns said the plan was about making NSW safer. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia 'These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system.' Slated to be opened in 2027, the 'vulnerable persons court hub' will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via a video link, including in DV and family violence matters, reducing the trauma of being in the court complex. The hub joins more than $34m in funding for upgrades to the Downing Centre courthouse and the adjoining John Madison Tower, or JMT, including at least five new courtrooms and at least 10 virtual courtrooms. The NSW Office of Director of Public Prosecution will also receive a further $48.3m to fund additional solicitors, as well as funding for staff working in child sexual offence cases and to address demand on corrections services. The funding will include an additional $227m as part of the 2025-26 budget over five years for the Victims' Support Service, including strict monitoring for high-risk DV offenders as well as $50m for a victim-survivor hub. NewsWire Credit: NCA NewsWire The state government will spend an additional $100.5m on the state's correction system in light of new DV bail laws that resulted in a record spike of alleged offenders being behind bars on remand awaiting trial or sentence. At least half of the funding will go to frontline domestic, family, and sexual violence services, including almost $10m for the implementation of the strict new Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders for offenders. Other measures include five-year contracts for domestic and family violence support services, funding for a new common approach to offender risk assessments – a factor in sentencing – and a new DV and family violence workforce strategy. Attorney-General Michael Daley said the courtroom upgrades were 'crucial'. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia It comes amid the passage of controversial youth bail laws in NSW which divided members of the Labor caucus, and as crime in regional communities continues to make headlines, including violence and theft offences. Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan welcomed the government's announcement on Monday, stating that victim-survivors in the state were currently waiting up to two months for support from state services. Nonetheless, Ms Donovan said more was needed. 'We believe much of this represents the continuation of existing state and federal funding – not new investment,' she said. 'This is not enough. Victim-survivors deserve more than business as usual. 'Yes, we welcome the fulfilment of longer-term reforms such as five-year contracts, workforce development strategy implementation, and new data strategies. 'But they don't address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point – operating on outdated funding models that don't come close to covering today's costs.' Ms Donovan urged the state government to 'listen – really listen – to the voices of victim-survivors, and the frontline workers' and to adequately support services.
The Age
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
A coroner couldn't tell Danielle how her son died. Then she lost her daughter
Genetic testing is not a mandatory component of coronial investigations into unexplained deaths in any Australian state or territory, and each jurisdiction has its own triggers for including it. For instance, when there is some indication that a gene mutation may have contributed to a death, such as a family history of genetic conditions. This was despite nearly 90 per cent of couples at risk of having a child with a genetic condition having no prior family history of the disorder. The barriers to genetic testing Several state coroners offices and attorneys-general, including in NSW and Victoria, suggested that obtaining consent from next of kin was the main barrier to implementing routine genetic testing. None are updating current guidelines to mandate genetic testing under these circumstances. NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said a coroner can order genetic testing based on advice from NSW Health Forensic Medicine, and the government was 'always considering ways the coronial process can be improved to provide answers to grieving families'. Loading A spokesperson from the Victorian government said coroners can request the testing 'where it is considered relevant'. Coroners Project co-founder Rachael Casella said even when there is an indication that a genetic condition is at play in a death, instead of conducting genetic testing on the deceased, the coroner or forensic pathologist will often recommend that the family pursue genetic testing for themselves. This requires navigating a complex system, potentially at a personal financial cost. She said placing the burden on grieving families to know about and seek genetic testing is wrong. 'If you're talking to a grieving family, most of the time they're not going to think to go and do genetic testing. They don't know whom to contact … Are there costs involved? Is English their second language?' said Casella, whose daughter Mackenzie died of the genetic condition spinal muscular atrophy at seven months old and is the namesake of federally funded Mackenzie's Mission, a genetic carrier screening trial for would-be parents. Professor Gina Ravenscroft, an expert in rare disease genetics at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and University of Western Australia, said restricting genetic testing to cases with a family history of genetic conditions was outdated and parents who consent to autopsies are likely to agree to genetic testing because they want to know what killed their loved one. 'I don't see that genetics is that different from any other test we do to try and find out what the cause of death is in an infant or a young person.' Loading Professor Jodie Ingles, head of clinical genomics at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, said the cost of genetic testing was likely a deterrent because Medicare does not subsidise it. Forensic pathologists – who order the genetic tests – were also grappling with a backlog of autopsy reports amid a national shortage of the specialists. Kate and Tim Newman lost their two daughters, Olivia and Mia, to heart failure caused by a PPA2 gene mutation before their second birthdays. It was only after Mia died that doctors at the Children's Hospital in Brisbane suggested they test her DNA and a sample kept from Olivia's autopsy. Their experience makes it difficult for them to understand why consent and a lack of resources would be barriers to genetic testing, considering the tens of thousands of dollars it cost the healthcare system and the couple to test and treat their daughters over several distressing months, Kate Newman said. Consenting to the removal of Olivia's brain seemed a far more traumatic request for Newman than if she'd been asked for her consent to do genetic testing, though she said she was never asked. 'To think that there are blockages in terms of funding for genetic tests is crazy … they took my kid's brain out and sent it to America to try and test for certain things, and we didn't need to go through any of that if they'd just done a blood test and got DNA results,' she said. Guilt, false accusations and the relief of a diagnosis Finding answers helped the Greens and Newmans with the overwhelming guilt attached to the sudden and unexplained deaths of multiple children. 'I was addicted to googling rabbit holes, reading every article, medical journal, anything I could get my hands on,' Danielle Green said. 'I just held so much guilt. Did I not take gastro seriously enough? Did I allow him to get dehydrated? Was he showing symptoms of this months prior?' Carola Vinuesa, a professor in immunology and genetics at the Francis Crick Institute in London, who was part of a team that analysed Kathleen Folbigg's DNA for genetic mutations, said having a diagnosis can also stop parents being wrongly accused of harming their children, especially when there is more than one child death in the family. 'Every post-mortem in a child should have a genetic test,' Vinuesa said. Loading Newman said she was questioned by detectives and child protection service officers after Mia's death. 'We were saying goodbye to Mia, we had her in the hospital room, and we got pulled out by a detective and child services,' Newman said, becoming upset as she retells the story. 'They're protecting the children, but I must say that was really tough to be questioned. I remember he said 'Children don't just die' and I took great offence to that. 'I hate to think that there's anyone else out there who's lost a child and doesn't have answers. The guilt that they may feel, not having known, and the potential that it could happen again.' There are some signs of progress towards better integrating genetic testing. WA's Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, foreshadowed updating the state's model of care for unexpected deaths in young people, and South Australian Women's and Children's Health Network is leading a national genetic autopsy study using genomic sequencing to better understand the causes of pregnancy loss. The Coroners Project is supported by several organisations, including Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Red Nose Australia, Australian Genomics and Mito Foundation.
