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Category Archives: Collections

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Russian Art Embargo News: Chabad Negotiations Over Russian Library Fail, Renewed Request for Contempt Sought

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Collections, Foreign Sovereign Immunities, Restitution, World War II

After months of inactivity and intimations of a possible settlement, the Chabad plaintiffs seeking the return of the Schneerson library have had enough, and have renewed their request to the District Court to sanction the defendants who have not complied with prior orders to return the library.  A brief recap: various Russian state libraries have… Continue Reading

Ruminations on Connoisseurship, Forgery, Knoedler and Litigation in the News

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Collections, Connoisseurship, Forgery

We’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

Christie’s and Sotheby’s Sued over California Resale Rights

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Collections, Intellectual Property, Legislation

Christie’s and Sotheby’s were sued this week by several artists (including Chuck Close) as class action plaintiffs, alleging violations of California’s Resale Royalty Act.  The Resale Royalty Act is one of the few statutes in the United States recognizing artists’ rights to some of the proceeds of the sale of their works, even after the… Continue Reading

Barnes Foundation Case Dismissed, Relocation to Philadelphia Will Proceed

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Collections, Cy Pres, Standing, Trusts

To paraphrase the famous Saturday Night Live skit about General Francisco Franco: this just in: Museum members and supporters still cannot go to court to challenge the administration of the institution.  The Barnes Foundation has defeated the latest challenge to its right to move from its original home in Lower Merion outside of Philadelphia to… Continue Reading

The Art Law Report at Ellis Boston Antiques

By Nicholas O'Donnell on Posted in Collections, Connoisseurship, Customs

During 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