US Medical Giant Finds Forgeries in their Collection
A recent court case has exposed a sneaky “bait-and-switch” scandal, bringing to light the risks of conservation. According to the case, Abbott Laboratories, the US medical giant, came to learn that at least two, and probably many more, works from … More…
Comments on the Art Market – Volume 219
In this issue we cover our upcoming exhibition I Observe (opens on March 9th at the gallery), Natasha Gural’s article on our recent sale of an important woke by Bakhuyzen, the Charleston Show, Stocks, How To Safely Navigate The Art … More…
How To Safely Navigate The Art Market: A Painting’s Title
In November, I discussed Title as it relates to legal ownership. Now I will delve into the name of a work or its Title. While artists are often very creative, some are not always fastidious about creating interesting and unique … More…
Boring Old Bouguereau Makes for a Surprising New MAM Exhibition
William A. Bouguereau is loved by all who enjoy 19th-century French Academic art, and hated by many who don’t. I have always been impressed by his ability to capture the human form so perfectly, and have had the pleasure of … More…
Authenticity Doubts Still Linger Over The Most Expensive Painting Ever Sold At Auction
There are still many who doubt the authenticity of Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi. Matthew Landrus, a research fellow at Oxford University’s Wolfson College, believes it was painted by Bernardino Luini, one of da Vinci’s studio assistants. Now we have conflicting … More…
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Looks For New President
Don Bacigalupi is stepping down as president of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. While the museum searches for his replacement, John W. McCarter, Jr. will assume the role. Lucas’s museum, a $1 billion project, is scheduled to open in … More…
Don’t Mess With The IRS
New York art dealer Mary Boone was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for filing false tax returns. According to The NY Times article, “…Ms. Boone had reported false business losses, used business funds to pay for more than … More…
Rare 19th Century Landscape By Van Gogh Relative, Hague School Founder Bakhuyzen Enchants Collector
Natasha Gural’s coverage, on Forbes.com, of our discovery of a rare winter skating scene by the 19th-century Dutch artist Hendrik van de Sande Bakhuyzen (1795 – 1860). Included is a brief biography of the artist that discusses the Bakhyzen and Van … More…
The 19th Century at Sotheby’s – A Winning Hand
Sotheby’s bet big on their recent 19th-century sale and they came up with a winning hand. While viewing the sale, I was a little concerned since they more than doubled the amount of work offered in recent sales, broke it … More…
The Pre-Raphaelites Come To America
Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts & Crafts Movement, featuring approximately 145 works drawn from the collection of the City of Birmingham, UK, will be on view at the Vero Beach Museum of Art from February 9 through May … More…
Comments on the Art Market – Volume 218
We are pleased to present Volume 218 of our Comments on the Art Market. In this issue, we cover our upcoming shows in Palm Beach and Naples, In the News, Stocks, Tales from the Dark Side, Really, How To Safely … More…
The Old Masters Take Center Stage At Sotheby’s
On Wednesday the 30th, Sotheby’s held a day and evening sale offering a selection of Old Master paintings, drawings, and sculptures. In an interesting PR twist, Sotheby’s brought in former pop-star and contemporary art collector Victoria Beckham, who is said … More…
Bargain-Basement Bacon
One and J Gallery (South Korea) is alleging that Christie’s has done, what can best be described as, a “bargain-basement sale” of a Francis Bacon. According to the court documents, One and J consigned an unnamed Francis Bacon painting to … More…
Bataclan Banksy Bagged
A mural, attributed to Banksy, was stolen in a swift overnight heist from the exterior of the Bataclan theater in Paris. According to reports, the work, which was painted on an outside door in 2018, depicts a veiled figure. The … More…
How To Safely Navigate The Art Market: The Catalogue Raisonné
Since I touched on expertise last month, I thought it would be appropriate to follow-up with an article about Catalogue Raisonnés (C.R.). I have used this term many times in my career, and occasionally, someone stops me asking what exactly … More…
One Report Claims The Art Market Is Growing And Millennials Are Active
Natasha Gural (Forbes.com) gives a nice summary of the lengthy Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. The report claims that the worldwide art market rose by 6% last year to an estimated $67.4 billion — that is an impressive number! … More…