Free Republic

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has refused to remove a 1938 painting by the artist known as Balthus that depicts a young girl in what some are saying is a sexually suggestive pose. The painting , entitled Thérèse Dreaming, shows the girl sitting on a chair leaning back with her underwear visible. The late Polish-French artist, born Balthasar Klossowski, is known for his erotically-charged images of pubescent girls.

Inside power lobbyist, philanthropist and contemporary art collector Tony Podesta’s Kalorama home. By Laura Wainman Podesta’s main design change for the house was to open up the floor plan and tear down the many compartmentalized rooms.The sliding glass windows were essential to give the house an indoor-outdoor atmosphere. The red sculpture over the kitchen was custom designed by German lighting designer Ingo Mauer and is a major focal point. (Photo by Joseph Allen) If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling through a museum with a slice of pizza and glass of wine in hand, you need to befriend superlobbyist Tony Podesta....