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Art and Law

Restitution Activist Mwazulu Diyabanza Was Arrested After He Tried to Remove an Indonesian Sculpture From the Louvre [UPDATED]

The Congolese activist says he is “afraid” after taking his fight to France's most beloved museum.

By Kate Brown, 1 day ago

Art and Law

As a Lawsuit Over the Nazi-Looted Guelph Treasure Goes to the Supreme Court, Congressional Leaders Blast Germany’s Attempt to Derail It

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in early December.

By Eileen Kinsella, 1 day ago

Art and Law

After Purdue Pharma Reached a $225 Million Settlement With US Authorities, the Met Says the Name of Its Sackler Wing Is ‘Under Review’

NYU has become the latest institution to remove the Sackler name—but more may follow.

By Sarah Cascone, Oct 23, 2020

Art and Law

Piet Mondrian’s Heirs Are Suing a German Museum for the Return of Four Paintings Worth Over $200 Million

The paintings were loaned to the Kunstmuseen Krefeld in 1929 and allegedly never returned.

By Sarah Cascone, Oct 22, 2020

Art and Law

A Law Firm Has Cleared the Director of the Detroit Institute of Arts of Ethics Violations—But Critics Are Still Crying Foul

A whistleblower agency called the findings the result of an "unserious investigation."

By Rachel Corbett & Zachary Small, Oct 15, 2020

Art and Law

Three Activists Who Tried to Remove a 19th-Century African Artwork From the Quai Branly Museum in Paris Have Been Convicted

Prosecutors initially sought a €150,000 fine and a prison sentence.

By Naomi Rea, Oct 14, 2020

Art and Law

What Rights Does a Model Have Over Her Own Image? + Other Artists’-Rights Questions, Answered

Who do home makeover shows always blur out the art on the walls? Why isn't Banksy allowed to trademark his work? We're here to help.

By Katarina Feder, Oct 13, 2020

Art and Law

Hong Kong Police Have Recovered a Mao Scroll That Was Stolen as Part of a $645 Million Art Heist—But It’s Been Cut in Half

Two men were also arrested this week in connection with the incident, which may be the most valuable art heist in the region's history.

By Taylor Dafoe, Oct 8, 2020

Art and Law

Cementing a $6.8 Million Win for Artists, the US Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Landmark Case Over the Destruction of Graffiti Mecca 5Pointz

Artists can now claim a major and final victory.

By Eileen Kinsella, Oct 7, 2020

Art and Law

After Years of Foot-Dragging, France’s National Assembly Just Approved the Restitution of Looted Artifacts to Benin and Senegal

Since France's groundbreaking report on restitution in 2018, the country has returned exactly zero objects to Africa.

By Taylor Dafoe, Oct 7, 2020

Art and Law

Activists Who Seized an African Statue From a Paris Museum Are Now on Trial. Their Argument: It Wasn’t Theft, It Was Political Protest

Prosecutors downgraded the fine to just €1,000 for the group's leader and €500 each for his associates.

By Kate Brown, Oct 1, 2020

Art and Law

A New Report on Transnational Crime Shows That the Business of Smuggling Cultural Property Is Not as Big as People Think

The World Customs Organization's illicit trade report shows cultural heritage crime pales in comparison to other risk categories.

By Ivan Macquisten, Sep 28, 2020

Art and Law

Artist Shantell Martin Ponders Legal Action After a Wine Brand Allegedly Stole Her Work for Its Label

Bodegas San Huberto appears to have directly copied a mural Martin created for a 2017 show at the Albright-Knox in Buffalo.

By Sarah Cascone, Sep 24, 2020

Art and Law

Police Are Searching for a Man Who Attacked a British Museum’s Benin Bronzes After He Failed to Appear in Court

Isaiah Ogundele is one of two men facing charges in Europe this month for dramatic protests against museums' colonial-era artifacts.

By Kate Brown, Sep 23, 2020

Art and Law

The FBI Has Arrested Two New York Antiquities Dealers for Falsifying Ownership Histories Using Dead Collectors’ Names

The owners of Fortuna Fine Art have been charged with falsifying documents.

By Eileen Kinsella, Sep 22, 2020

Restitution Activist Mwazulu Diyabanza Was Arrested After He Tried to Remove an Indonesian Sculpture From the Louvre [UPDATED]

As a Lawsuit Over the Nazi-Looted Guelph Treasure Goes to the Supreme Court, Congressional Leaders Blast Germany’s Attempt to Derail It

After Purdue Pharma Reached a $225 Million Settlement With US Authorities, the Met Says the Name of Its Sackler Wing Is ‘Under Review’

Piet Mondrian’s Heirs Are Suing a German Museum for the Return of Four Paintings Worth Over $200 Million

A Law Firm Has Cleared the Director of the Detroit Institute of Arts of Ethics Violations—But Critics Are Still Crying Foul

Three Activists Who Tried to Remove a 19th-Century African Artwork From the Quai Branly Museum in Paris Have Been Convicted

What Rights Does a Model Have Over Her Own Image? + Other Artists’-Rights Questions, Answered

Hong Kong Police Have Recovered a Mao Scroll That Was Stolen as Part of a $645 Million Art Heist—But It’s Been Cut in Half

Cementing a $6.8 Million Win for Artists, the US Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Landmark Case Over the Destruction of Graffiti Mecca 5Pointz

After Years of Foot-Dragging, France’s National Assembly Just Approved the Restitution of Looted Artifacts to Benin and Senegal

Activists Who Seized an African Statue From a Paris Museum Are Now on Trial. Their Argument: It Wasn’t Theft, It Was Political Protest

A New Report on Transnational Crime Shows That the Business of Smuggling Cultural Property Is Not as Big as People Think

Artist Shantell Martin Ponders Legal Action After a Wine Brand Allegedly Stole Her Work for Its Label

Police Are Searching for a Man Who Attacked a British Museum’s Benin Bronzes After He Failed to Appear in Court

The FBI Has Arrested Two New York Antiquities Dealers for Falsifying Ownership Histories Using Dead Collectors’ Names

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