Here is a fascinating story about some behind-the-scenes dealings at the upper level of the art world.  According to the article: Panama Papers suggest Joe Lewis bought famous Ganz collection before record-breaking Christie’s sale, netting millions.  This sale took place … More…

Another update on the battle between Pelham Europe Ltd. and Larry Gagosian over a very valuable sculpture by Pablo Picasso.  Like most things, it is all about the money.  For more, click HERE.    

The Rathkeale Rovers’ “shopping spree” may have come to an end (I say may, because there are still some members at large).  14 of them were arrested, found guilty and have now been sentenced to periods ranging from 15 months to 6 years … More…

We read a lot about looted paintings that are returned to their rightful owners.  What about all the paintings whose provenance cannot be verified?  What happens to them?  Here is Eve Kahn’s story, in The New York Times, of one … More…

The recent conference “Negotiating Art: Dealers and Museums 1855-2015” at the National Gallery (April 1 and 2) must have been very interesting.  Ben Luke’s article in The Art Newspaper gives a brief overview and is definitely worth reading — click … More…

Source: Newsletter Archives – we have just released Volume 184 of our Comments on the Art Market.  Included are our Upcoming Exhibitions, our Blog’s face-lift, Stocks, Tales from the Dark Side, Dupre Catalogue Raisonne, Really! and The Art Market.    

I guess some of the parties involved wish this was an April Fool’s joke! One buyer agreed to pay $47.4M; but before final payment was made, another offered $106M.  Now the Manhattan District Attorney’s office is investigating possible criminal misconduct … More…