Anatomy of an Art Fraud
— Sharon Flescher
Detailed discussion, with many images, of Ely Sakhai’s elaborate, multi-year art-fraud scheme
Should the U.S. Grant China’s Request for an Art-Import Ban? Pros and Cons
— Sharon Flescher
Discussion of the issues surrounding the debate as to whether the U.S. should honor China’s request to restrict Chinese imports under the Convention on the Cultural Property Implementation Act (1983). Flescher introduces a special Journal section on the request, including the following 8 articles, 3 pro and 5 con.
Statements to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee: An Archaeologists View
— Robert W. Bagley
Bagley, an archaeologist, argues in favor of China’s request, citing, in particular, an ancient tuned set of bronze bells as the type of object the law would protect.
A Legal View
— Patty Gerstenblith
Gerstenblith, an attorney and President of the Lawyers Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation, argues in favor of China’s request.
An Advocates View
— Cindy Ho
Ho, a founder of SAFE (Saving Antiquities for Everyone), argues in favor of China’s request.
The Museum Director’s View
— Katherine Lee Reid
Reid, a Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, argues against China’s request and explains why it would be a blow to museums in the U.S.
The Museum Director’s View
— Marc F. Wilson
Wilson, Director of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, argues against China’s request and discusses the active domestic market in China for the artworks in question.
The Museum Director’s View
— James Cuno
Cuno, Director of the Art Institute of Chicago, argues against China’s request, illustrating why he finds it unreasonable and too broad.
The Museum Director’s View
— Emily J. Sano
Sano, Director of the Asian Art Museum, argues against the request and discusses the number and type of objects that come to the U.S. in relation to the current market for them in China. She also discusses the looting situation.
A Dealer’s View
— James J. Lally
Lally, an art dealer specializing in Chinese art, argues against China’s request and discusses the market for Chinese objects in China, the U.S., and elsewhere.
News and Updates: Christies Wins Appeal Against Thomson
— Sharon Flescher
A dispute over the authenticity and dating of two urns settled in British appeals court in favor of Christie’s of London. The court said that Christie’s did not have a “duty of care” to inform the buyer of the potential difference in worth.
News and Updates: Settlement Over Picasso’s Woman in White
— Sharon Flescher
Discusses the settlement of a World War II ownership dispute between Marilynn Alsdorf, a Chicago collector, and Thomas Bennigson, claimant, over a Picasso painting.
News and Updates: Britain Explores Ways to Permit Return of Nazi-Looted Works in Museums
— Sharon Flescher
The British Museum Act of 1963, which restricts deaccessioning, may be amended to allow exception for works looted during the World War II period.
News and Updates: Italian Trial of Getty Curator Postponed
— Sharon Flescher
The trial of Marion True, Curator of antiquities at the Getty Museum, has been postponed until November 2005. Ms. True is charged with conspiracy to trade in stolen objects.
In Memoriam—Stephen E. Weil
— Franklin Feldman
Tribute to Stephen E. Weil, a member of IFAR’s Law Council and former member of IFAR’s Board of Directors, written by the chair of IFAR’s Law Advisory Council.
Stolen Art Alert
Thefts include: Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Tête de fillette (stolen from auction house in Paris March 2005); Jean-Francois Millet, Portrait of an Anonymous Man (stolen from Museé des Beaux-Arts, Reims, December 2004); Parmigianino, The Holy Family (stolen with other paintings from Santo Spirito in Sassia hospital, Rome, before May 2004).
