By Jennie Nadel
U.S. v. Mary Boone, No. 1:18-CR000634 (S.D.N.Y. filed May 9, 2019).
In May 2019, New York art dealer Mary Boone was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail for two counts of tax fraud.[1] This was not her first encounter with the law in her nearly 50-year-long career in the art world. Let her story be a lesson for other gallerists and art dealers.
Boone began her career at Bykert Gallery New York in 1970 as a secretary, with a background in fine arts and art history. She soon set out on her own and opened her first gallery space in 1977 in SoHo. At the time, she sold works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel, and Ross Bleckner. In 1982, New York Magazine heralded Boone as “The New Queen of the Art Scene.” Later, in 1996, her gallery moved to Midtown and she opened a second location in Chelsea.
Time to upgrade?
Thank you for your continued interest in our work. Support our efforts and become a premium member to enjoy unlimited access to the Center's articles and archived events!Already a premium member? Sign in
Or, become a premium member for unlimited access