Not long after spending $7m to defend the Warhol Authentication Board against a lawsuit from the dissatisfied owners of a disputed Warhol self portrait, the foundation has decided to get out of the authentication business. The Foundation continues to publish the Warhol catalogues raisonné which is only up to 1974 currently:
The Board of Directors of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. announced today that the Foundation will dissolve the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc. in early 2012. The Foundation’s decision to dissolve the Authentication Board was informed by a strategic review of the Foundation’s core programs and reflects the Foundation’s intent to maximize its grant-making and other charitable activities in support of the visual arts.
The Directors further expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the exemplary work and expertise provided by members of the Authentication Board over the past 16 years. The Authentication Board will honor all requests for review received prior to October 19, 2011; but will no longer accept requests for review after that date.
