Gloria in Excelsis $4.3 mil

Two more multi-million-dollar paintings from the Nasher Collection, a Hans Hofmann (above) and a Jean Dubuffet exceeded their expected sale prices Wednesday, driving the total take to almost $45 million so far. The Nashers are being auctioned by Sotheby’s to benefit the endowment of the Nasher Sculpture Center in the downtown Dallas Arts District. Pre-auction predictions had the 140-some modern pieces bringing in between $30 and $40 million, and there are still four more on the block next week.

The sale is one of the three most blogged-about recent North Texas arts stories (not counting the Tony Romo-Jessica Simpson imbroglio, and it doesn’t really count so no links). The other two involve bands, Dallas’ Old 97’s and the Toadies of Fort Worth, who are both suddenly everywhere. The latest of their activities is a mysterious new Toadies video and live performances by the 97’s at the Richards Group and near where they used to live.