Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Caro Would Have Been Protected in the US

March 17, 2011 by Marion Maneker

Daniel Grant follows up on the failed Anthony Caro sale where the owner of a sculpture restored it without regard to the artists wishes:

It is rare that the owner of valuable and important artworks intentionally alter them, but it does happen. “People, by and large, are very careful with important works of art, because these things have value” said Gilbert Edelson, administrative vice-president of the Art Dealers Association of America. “If they don’t like something, they sell rather than intentionally destroy it.” Capobianco noted that England doesn’t have a law that prohibits collectors from making alterations in artworks, or to penalize collectors who do, although the United States does – the 1990 Visual Artists Rights Act. A key example of the problem that Congress was addressing in the law took place in 1960 when a collector sought to purchase a red-painted welded-steel sculpture by David Smith from a dealer. The collector liked the sculpture but not the color. To accommodate the buyer, the dealer sent the sculpture to a foundry where the paint was stripped off. The artist was furious and sought to buy his work back, but the collector refused, informing Smith that the work looked much better now. The artist publicly “disowned” the sculpture but had no legal recourse to enforce his claims. (VARA offers that as a right.)

Sculpture that Anthony Caro “Disowned” Fails to Sell at Auction (Huffington Post)

 

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Steve Martin Comments on Fake CampendonkSteve Martin Comments on Fake Campendonk
  • Sotheby’s to Sell Bacon Pope Not Seen for 40 Years
  • Sotheby’s Imp-Mod Day Sale = £20mSotheby’s Imp-Mod Day Sale = £20m
  • Qataris v Gagosian Enters Discovery PhaseQataris v Gagosian Enters Discovery Phase
  • Impressionism's Path Across the WorldImpressionism's Path Across the World
  • Paintings for Pitchers–A Bold IdeaPaintings for Pitchers–A Bold Idea

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor