Two paintings by titans of the British art world have been reunited in London after 187 years. Continue reading
Welsh Banksy owner worn out by tourist hordes
The owner of a garage in Wales on which a Banksy mural appeared just before Christmas said he is overwhelmed by the number of tourists who have descended on the site to view the artwork. Continue reading
Home for the holidays: Hope for return of stolen Caravaggio in time for Christmas
New evidence has emerged, which suggests a missing Nativity masterpiece by Caravaggio could soon be returning to Sicily. Theories abound as to the disappearance of ‘Nativity With Saints Lawrence and Francis’ (1609) from the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo in 1969. The latest version of the story was announced by Rosy Bindi, president of Italy’s parliamentary Antimafia Commission earlier this year. According to investigators, testimony from a member of Sicilian criminal organisation, Cosa Nostra, indicates the stolen masterpiece was taken to an art dealer in Switzerland who sold it off in pieces. They have followed this lead to eastern Europe and now believe they can recover the Nativity soon. Continue reading
Will proposed reforms to the export licensing system save more treasures for the nation?
In a bid to save more national art treasures from leaving the country, the UK government has announced plans to strengthen the export licensing system. Continue reading
Easter Island Mayor surprises by opposing return of stolen statue
Keep the statue you stole from us 150 years ago, the Mayor of Easter Island has told London’s British Museum. Continue reading
The Emperor Hiding in Plain Sight
It is nearly a year since we began following art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, in her quest to unearth the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill. In this eleventh instalment of our blog series a simple case of mistaken identity leads Silvia to discover a rare painting of a young Emperor Charles V, which Walpole never knew he possessed. Continue reading
Sotheby’s ordered to allow inspection of expert correspondence in ongoing case against Mark Weiss Limited
On Monday (26 November), the Court ordered Sotheby’s to allow inspection of its correspondence with experts, in a case concerning a painting described as by Frans Hals, but which experts later determined was a counterfeit. Continue reading
Goods mortgages – an explosion in art-lending? – Update
The Goods Mortgages Bill was introduced as a private member’s bill yesterday (29 November) by Lord Stevenson. Continue reading
Artist plans to whitewash a Banksy following half million pound sale
A month since a Banksy self-destructed after passing under the hammer at Sotheby’s, another work by the elusive street artist has sold for £561,000 (including buyer’s premium) to a buyer who has vowed to whitewash it. Continue reading
Jewish art dealer’s descendants refuse to buy back Nazi-looted portrait
“We want our looted work back. Full stop”, the descendant of Jewish art dealer and victim of Nazi spoliation, Paul Rosenberg, has told the New York Times. Continue reading
