Tempus fugit: If only I had an Apple…

November 29, 2023

By Irina Tarsis

Who does not like apples?! In November, Christie’s sold Paul Cézanne’s “Fruits et pot de gingembre,” just one of the paintings deaccessioned by the Swiss Museum Langmatt and the sale generated a healthy $38.9 million (hammer price and other fees included). If I had a Cézanne anything I would sell it too to help fund the Center for Art Law, and not because I don’t like his apples but because just like the Swiss Museum and so many other cultural organizations around the world, we need funds to keep our institution operating. Sadly, we have no multi-million dollar paintings to offer to the art market titans.

Instead, in November, our team launched a robust campaign to pick out highlights from our FY2023 Annual Report and to encourage our readers and followers to support the Center. After all,  Giving Tuesday is just one of the days nonprofits like the Center appeal to their individual donors for assistance. Fundraising is never easy, but we do try to make appealing. How did we do? So far, not even half a bushel.

Time flies and after the Giving Tuesday comes a Wednesday when giving is great too, followed by … and then…, you know. Soon enough it’s December and then the new year. Demeter willing we will make it through 2024 and into 2025 and continue with our efforts to advance the mission of the Center, mentor aspiring art attorneys and assist members of the visual art world (not just the market branch) with their questions about contracts, property rights, moral rights and so much more art law. Who knows, you might see art law going into Space in 2024. Oh wait, it’s already there.

So whether you like playing Board Games, or just visiting the Big Apple, when harvest round comes, remember: sharing is caring (or so I hear).

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As for the Lagmnatt’s deaccessioned paintings. Yes, they have plenty of art law connections. Not only is deaccessioning a red flag but so are the title disputes and claims related to Nazi-era looting. We cannot wait to dissect these topics again, and soon. On December 8th, we are speaking about the 25th Anniversary of the Washington Conference that gave us the Washington Principles but no map on how to reach “fair and just solutions.” Another thing we are still figuring out. Hope you will be joining us!

 

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