The Art Law Report Providing timely updates and commentary on legal issues in the museum and visual arts communities

Category Archives: Connoisseurship

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Art Law Day at NYU Next Friday, November 9, 2012

Posted in Appraisal, Connoisseurship, Events

Although this week’s Restitution and Repatriation conference at DePaul was washed out by Hurricane Sandy, another terrific event is on the horizon next week.  “Art Law Day” at New York University, hosted by the Appraisers Association of America, will be held on November 9, 2012 at NYU’s Kimmel Center.  The condensed schedule  from the event’s… Continue Reading

“Flea Market Renoir” May Have Been Stolen Decades Ago, Confusion Abounds

Posted in Collections, Connoisseurship, Forgery, Standing

What was the feel-good, ersatz Antiques-Roadshow story of the summer may soon be one of the most prominent art law issues in the country.  A painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir entitled “Paysage Bords de Seine” that was purchased at a flea market in 2010 for $7 and authenticated this year as genuine may turn out to… Continue Reading

Ruminations on Connoisseurship, Forgery, Knoedler and Litigation in the News

Posted in Collections, Connoisseurship, Forgery

We’ve been following a number of prominent stories for several weeks now and thinking about what they mean in the crossover between art and the law.  It’s fair to say that a theme is starting to develop, namely, that after the Beltracchi forgery trial in Cologne, the Warhol Foundation’s decision to close its doors to… Continue Reading

Beltracchi and Forgers Sentenced in Cologne

Posted in Connoisseurship, Forgery

The forgery trial in Cologne ended yesterday with the sentencing of Wolfgang Beltracchi and his co-defendants for their now-infamous forgeries and sale of the fictional “Werner Jäger” collection-the name of his wife’s grandfather. Beltracchi was sentenced to 6 years, consistent with the deal struck last month with prosecutors, the other defendants (including his wife) to… Continue Reading

Confession in German Forgery Trial

Posted in Connoisseurship, Forgery, Intellectual Property, Restitution

On the heels of yesterday’s interruption and pressure from the presiding judge to accept a six-year sentence, the accused leader of a forgery ring in Germany apparently confessed today to 14 forgeries.  It’s been reported that he said that he enjoyed fooling collectors and experts.  It is anticipated that the other defendants will receive similar… Continue Reading

German Forgery Trial Update-Deal Offered?

Posted in Connoisseurship, Forgery, Intellectual Property, Restitution

We have been following with interest the trial in Cologne, Germany of four accused forgers.  The trial began at the beginning of the month.  Wolfgang Beltracchi, 60, is accused of organizing a scam that defrauded art collectors out of millions of dollars.  Comedian, actor, and writer Steve Martin is among the most high-profile victims.  The… Continue Reading