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
Category Archives: Connoisseurship
Subscribe to Connoisseurship RSS Feed“Flea Market Renoir” May Have Been Stolen Decades Ago, Confusion Abounds
Posted in Collections, Connoisseurship, Forgery, StandingWhat 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, ForgeryWe’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, ForgeryThe 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
The Art Law Report at Ellis Boston Antiques
Posted in Collections, Connoisseurship, CustomsDuring the upcoming Ellis Boston Antiques Show, I will be on a panel on Friday night, October 21, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. entitled “Essentials for the New Collector” about collecting antiques and fine art in today’s market. I will be joined by PBS “Antiques Roadshow” appraiser Colleene Fesko and John Fiske, Editor of New England… Continue Reading
Confession in German Forgery Trial
Posted in Connoisseurship, Forgery, Intellectual Property, RestitutionOn 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, RestitutionWe 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