What seemed designed to shock is a work of art that has provoked admiration and above all astonishment at its beauty and originality.

Thus although it "provoked formal admiration... it was quietly abandoned in favour of simple consolidation."

Locally Thong Man, as Gottschalk came to be known, provoked both admiration and disgust.

On Wall Street, the Salomon Brothers culture long provoked admiration and dread.

"But rising early is staunch and meritorious, provoking only admiration from the capable, or aloof distaste from those who are slugabeds."

He seems to have provoked resentment and admiration in equal measure.

His deals provoke admiration, anger and envy.

His entry into oceanography, for which he has no training, has provoked both admiration and resentment.

I understand why bees provoke admiration and respect from those who work with them and why beekeeping is growing in popularity - bees are great.

In part, the new interest was no doubt triggered by the recent discovery in France of two spectacular painted caves that provoked much admiration and publicity.