Artist Nick Cave’s Controversial Upstate New York Artwork Has Found a New Home at the Brooklyn Museum

Law & Politics

Artist Nick Cave’s Controversial Upstate New York Artwork Has Found a New Home at the Brooklyn Museum

The public artwork has been attacked by the mayor of a small town where it was installed.

By Taylor Dafoe, Jan 15, 2021

Law & Politics

A Drawing Believed to Be the Final Nazi-Looted Artwork in the Gurlitt Collection Has Been Returned to Its Rightful Owners

The provenance of some 1,000 artworks from the notorious collection still remain unknown.

By Sarah Cascone, Jan 13, 2021

Law & Politics

Street Artist Futura Is Suing the North Face Clothing Company for Allegedly Stealing His Signature Motif for a Line of Outerwear

“The North Face seems like they care a lot about being cool,” says the artist’s lawyer. “This is probably the most uncool thing they have ever done.”

By Taylor Dafoe, Jan 13, 2021

Law & Politics

Mwazulu Diyabanza, the Robin Hood of Restitution Activism, Has Been Fined for Removing a Congolese Funerary Statue From a Dutch Museum

Diyabanza was banned from entering museums, but is allowed to meet with museum directors.

By Kate Brown, Jan 12, 2021

Law & Politics

Members of the Art-Dealing Wildenstein Family Will Go on Trial for Tax Fraud—Again—After France’s High Court Throws Out Prior Rulings

This will mark the third time the case has gone to trial.

By Eileen Kinsella, Jan 6, 2021

Law & Politics

In a Win for UK Antiquities Dealers, Britain Will Abandon the EU’s Strict Regulations on Importing Cultural Heritage Now That It’s Finalized Brexit

The regulations were conceived as a way to curb the illegal trafficking of cultural goods.

By Taylor Dafoe, Jan 6, 2021

Law & Politics

Lawmakers Are Cracking Down on the ‘Unregulated’ US Art Market. Here’s How a New Anti-Money Laundering Law Will Affect Dealers

The new regulations target antiquities dealers, but could soon apply across the art market.

By Eileen Kinsella, Jan 6, 2021

Law & Politics

As the Fate of Many Confederate Memorials Remains Undecided, Richmond’s Robert E. Lee Statue Heads to a Virginia Museum

The controversial sculpture will likely go on view in a larger exhibition about the evolution of Confederate memorialization.

By Taylor Dafoe, Dec 23, 2020

Law & Politics

After Decades of Lobbying, Congress Has Approved the Creation of New Smithsonian Museums for American Latinos and Women’s History

Legislation for the new Smithsonian museums was included in the 5,500-page omnibus spending bill passed last night.

By Taylor Dafoe, Dec 22, 2020

Law & Politics

Sotheby’s Pushes to Dismiss the New York Attorney General’s Lawsuit Over Its Alleged Role in Helping a Collector Evade Taxes

The house argued its staffer was simply "poorly trained."

By Eileen Kinsella, Dec 22, 2020

Law & Politics

Australia Promised Arts Organizations $60 Million in Relief Six Months Ago. Many Say They Haven’t Received a Cent

Arts organizations now worry they'll have to wait until 2021.

By Artnet News, Dec 21, 2020

Law & Politics

Restitution Activist Mwazulu Diyabanza Must Pay the Louvre €5,000 for Taking an Artwork From a Display Case

Diyabanza has undertaken similar actions at museums across Europe.

By Kate Brown, Dec 18, 2020

Law & Politics

Phillips Has the Right to Cancel a $5 Million Agreement With Art Dealer Joseph Nahmad Amid Pandemic Upheaval, Judge Rules

The judge said the situation unequivocally qualifies as "force majeure."

By Eileen Kinsella, Dec 17, 2020

Law & Politics

In a Surprise Ruling, a Dutch Court Said the Stedelijk Can Keep a Kandinsky That a Jewish Family Says Was Sold Under Duress in 1940

The controversial decision upholds a ruling made in 2018.

By Kate Brown, Dec 16, 2020

Law & Politics

German Police Have Nabbed One of Two Fugitive Twins Suspected of Taking Part in a Massive Museum Heist in Dresden

The suspect's twin brother is still on the lam.

By Naomi Rea, Dec 15, 2020