Pricing paintings by the square foot has some merit but it is hard to tell from this brief item in the NY Post what the real beef is between these two galleries. How would the profit be greater to the primary dealer by selling a smaller version of a work unless the materials were precious? Did the artist use only half his creativity? Here’s what the Post says:

David Benrimon Fine Art charged Hamilton Art Ltd. 500,000 euros for a 220-centimeter tall version of Igor Mitoraj’s “Sonno Gronde” in 2008, according to a suit filed yesterday. […] The firm’s Manhattan federal court filing — which seeks more than $1 million in damages — accuses Benrimon of intentionally commissioning the smaller piece so it could pocket a bigger profit.

Manhattan art dealer delivered ‘half statue’ to overseas customer: suit (NY Post)