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

Monthly Archives: April 2014

Proposed Amendment to New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Would Protect Authenticators

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Appraisal, Authentication

It was first reported at the Appraisers Association of America’s Art Law Day in November, 2013 that the New York City Bar Association’s Art Law Committee had drafted a proposed revision to New York’s Art and Cultural Affairs Law to address the rights of authenticators.  That proposal, publicized a month later, has now become an… Continue Reading

Detroit Institute of Arts Grand Bargain Not Done Yet, Creditors Claim to Have Purchaser Willing to Pay Nearly $2 Billion for Entire Collection

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Deaccession, Detroit Bankruptcy

Since reports last month that a grand bargain had been struck to provide an infusion of cash to the Detroit bankruptcy in exchange for conveying the artwork at the Detroit Institute of Arts back to the museum itself, it has been largely accepted that the deal would succeed.  The deal would contribute $366 million from… Continue Reading

The Gurlitt Deal—Prosecutor Gives Collection Back, Agreement Leaves Questions About Process and Transparency

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Gurlitt Collection, Restitution, World War II

The Augsburg prosecutor for the State of Bavaria announced today that in connection with Monday’s agreement with Cornelius Gurlitt, the 1,280 works of art seized from Gurlitt’s apartment in 2012 have been “returned” to Gurlitt.  Though it does not appear that the objects have physically changed locations, the state officially lifted the seizure, and now… Continue Reading

Breakthrough? Gurlitt Signs Agreement with Germany For Continued Research and Commits to Return of Art

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Gurlitt Collection, Restitution

Whether Austrian Trove is Included So Far Unmentioned In Reports of Agreement On the heels of last night’s “60 Minutes” treatment of the Gurlitt saga (which featured Willi Korte and Ingeborg Berggreen-Merkel, two participants at January’s Ersessene Kunst-Der Fall Gurlitt at which I also spoke), news has come today that Cornelius Gurlitt has signed an agreement… Continue Reading

Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act Passes House Judiciary Committee on Voice Vote

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act, Foreign Sovereign Immunities, Immunity from Seizure Act, Restitution, World War II

Just a week after it was introduced by Steve Chabot (R-OH), the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act (HR 4292) was marked for hearing today.  Three members spoke in favor, a voice vote was taken, and bill was referred favorably to the full House. Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) began the hearing with a statement. … Continue Reading