A New Art Trafficking Report Commissioned by France’s Culture Ministry Says Its Museums Must Tighten Up Their Acquisitions Policies

Crime

A New Art Trafficking Report Commissioned by France’s Culture Ministry Says Its Museums Must Tighten Up Their Acquisitions Policies

The study calls for a concerted state effort to tackle the issue and advocates for a more unified, “collegial” approach to acquisitions.

By Devorah Lauter, Nov 23, 2022

Crime

Climate Activist Gets Jail Time for Gluing Himself to a Van Gogh at London’s Courtauld Gallery

The defendant's solicitor attempted to argue that her client's actions might have actually increased the painting's value. The judge, however, didn't buy it.

By Jo Lawson-Tancred, Nov 23, 2022

Crime

In a Heist Fit for a Movie, Thieves Broke Into a German Museum and Made Off With a Cache of Gold Coins Worth Several Million Euros

The heist is thought to have been carried out by professionals who cut off local phone and internet service.

By Jo Lawson-Tancred, Nov 23, 2022

Crime

After Their Art Was Stolen on Campus, Yale MFA Students Demand That the University Take Responsibility for the Damages

Yale currently does not take responsibility for any theft of student property.

By Sarah Cascone, Nov 22, 2022

Crime

Two American Expats, Whose Guatemala Home Turned Up More Than 1,200 Pre-Hispanic Artifacts, Face Charges of Smuggling

A raid of the couple's home uncovered archaeological objects, and significant works in jade and basalt.

By Sarah Cascone, Nov 17, 2022

Crime

Before Retreating From Kherson, Russian Troops Emptied One of Ukraine’s Top Museums of Nearly 15,000 Objects

They also targeted other cultural venues in the region in recent weeks.

By Taylor Dafoe, Nov 14, 2022

Crime

German Authorities Seized 30 Paintings, Including a $5 Million Chagall, From Sanctioned Russian Billionaire Alisher Usmanov

The oligarch is accused of violating sanctions, laundering money, and evading $553 million in taxes in Germany.

By Artnet News, Nov 9, 2022

Crime

An Early American Portrait Stolen From a Staten Island Museum Was Recovered When an Eagle-Eyed Collector Spotted It at Auction

When the painting turned up at a Bay Area auction, and an eagle-eyed folk art collector had a gut feeling he'd seen it before.

By Sarah Cascone, Nov 7, 2022

Crime

Disgraced Antiques Dealer Subhash Kapoor Was Handed a 10-Year Jail Sentence by an Indian Court for Dealing in Stolen Objects

U.S. authorities are also investigating Kapoor and have returned hundreds of objects worth millions to India.

By Eileen Kinsella, Nov 2, 2022

Crime

A Michigan Photography Dealer Allegedly Bilked Elderly Clients Out of More Than $1.6 Million by Pretending to Be in a Coma

Wendy Halsted Beard allegedly sold consigned artworks without notifying their owners, according to court documents.

By Taylor Dafoe, Oct 24, 2022

A Disgruntled Tourist Smashed Two 2,000-Year-Old Statues in the Vatican Because He Was Denied a Meeting With Pope Francis

The damaged objects from the Chiaramonti Museum were described as "minor works" and are now at a conservation laboratory.

By Vittoria Benzine, Oct 5, 2022

Crime