Recent Articles

Art Info Names "Most Colorful" Collectors to Watch

Daniel Schnapp
March 08, 2012 16:32

Just as the art fairs get into full swing in New York City, ArtInfo has named the "Most Colorful Collectors" in this article.  These collectors' antics make them interesting to watch - Jean Pizzoli, second on the list, for example, owns a clothing line he calls "Street Wear for...

26% Quarterly Profit Drop for Sotheby's

Daniel Schnapp
March 01, 2012 16:05

Bloomberg reports that Sotheby's (BID) saw 26% profit losses in the fourth quarter of 2011 as sales fell.  Net income fell to $71.5m from $96.2m last year.  This is especially interesting as fourth quarter 2010 was its most profitable since 2008. [This entry was drafted with the...

Art Market "World's Strongest Economy"?

Daniel Schnapp
February 29, 2012 17:37

According to this article, Abigail R. Esman thinks the global art market is the “world’s strongest economy.”  We're not sure that is exactly correct, but quoting the annual Artprice report, she states that art sales for 2011 were the highest in history.  Modern...

Sommelier Faces Prison Time for Art Theft

Daniel Schnapp
February 28, 2012 17:35

On February 7, Mark Lugo, a wine steward and now art thief, admitted to stealing a $350,000 Leger drawing in New York.  He has also been charged with stealing another five works by Mie Yim.  This article confirms that Lugo has been sentenced to one to three years in prison for his...

Rosales Authentication Mystery Under Investigation

Daniel Schnapp
February 22, 2012 17:33

The authenticities of over 20 art works released to the art market 17 years ago are in question, some even under investigation by the FBI.  Glafira Rosales, a little known art dealer from Long Island, sold the Rothkos, Pollocks, and works by other such Modernist masters to revered...

Valentine Settles Royalty Dispute for Over $150k

Daniel Schnapp
February 09, 2012 17:30

According to this article, art collector Dean Valentine has settled with and will pay artist Mark Grotjahn 5% of his proceeds for selling his artwork ($150,000 on the total sales of $3 million), plus some attorneys fees, in accordance with the California “resale royalty” law. ...

Avant-Garde in Saudi Arabia

Daniel Schnapp
January 30, 2012 17:22

A new exhibition in Jedda, Saudi Arabia is one more likely to be seen in art capitals like London, Venice, or Berlin.   The show, which features 40 pieces by 22 young, edgy artists is organized by Edge of Arabia, an independent art initiative.   According to this article, this could...

Art and Finance - Similar Markets?

Daniel Schnapp
January 29, 2012 17:19

In this article, Marc C. Taylor discusses the parallels and relationship between finance and Modern Art.  He finds that in both markets, concepts are becoming more abstract and trading faster paced. According to reliable estimates, in fact, the private art market reached 25 to 30 billion...

Art Dealer First to Go Public in German City in Three Years

Daniel Schnapp
January 03, 2012 17:14

On Jan 3, Weng Fine Art became the only company to go public in the once booming Krenfeld, Germany in almost 3 years.  According to this article, this art firm's success is not as surprising as it would appear - the North Rhine-Westphalia area where it is housed is one of the wealthiest in...

Most Controversial Art Issues of 2011

Daniel Schnapp
January 02, 2012 16:39

ArtInfo discusses the biggest controversies of the art world in 2011 in this article. Along with the protests of artist Ai Weiwei and collective Voina, the article also recounts issues of copyright, censorship, class tension between the art world elite and those whom they employ, and arts...