Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

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

The Feds Are Collecting Art Works From the Depression That Were Lost or Stolen

June 1, 2016 by Marion Maneker

Matthew Schwartz with 1934 Farmer
Matthew Schwartz with 1934 Farmer

Here’s an interesting story that reveals the GSA has been recovering 460 art works made for the Depression-era Works Progress Administration—and subsequently lost or stolen—worth $4.3m since 2001. Just in the period from April to September of 2015, 54 works valued at $500,000 were recovered. But every recovery causes someone to lose.

Here’s the account from ABC News:

The feds filed a lawsuit last week to lay claim to a painting that Cherry Hill art dealer Matthew Schwartz listed on eBay for $8,500 in October 2015.

Schwartz told the Courier-Post that he will argue that the U.S. General Services Administration has no right to the “1934 Farmer” painting that he purchased several years ago and carefully restored.

The GSA said that the painting was created more than 80 years ago by John Slavin, who was employed through a Depression Era program for artists.

Schwartz, who runs an online art dealership, said the only reason the GSA wants the oil-on-canvas painting of a man smoking a pipe is because he saved it.

“It’s my care for the painting that makes it desirable,” he said.

Sale of Depression-Era Painting Draws a Federal Lawsuit  (ABC News)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • New Orleans Is the Place for African ArtNew Orleans Is the Place for African Art
  • Where Does the "Public Trust" End?Where Does the "Public Trust" End?
  • How Much Does AAP Contribute to Sotheby’s Revenue?How Much Does AAP Contribute to Sotheby’s Revenue?
  • Will Picasso Feed the Market?Will Picasso Feed the Market?
  • Halsey Minor’s Unsold San Francisco Home Looted for $300,000 in Fine ArtHalsey Minor’s Unsold San Francisco Home Looted for $300,000 in Fine Art
  • The Grand Daddy of Digital DesignThe Grand Daddy of Digital Design

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

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

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Restituted Van Gogh Portrait from London Collection to Sell at Christie’s
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • Christie’s to Sell Its First Fully Digital Work of Art in Test of Emerging Market
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • Tracey Emin Neon Lights Up Sotheby's 'Contemporary Showcase' Pop-Up
  • Sotheby's Pulls in a $9m David Hockney for November
  • After Pandemic’s Rapid Change, Sotheby’s Has 8 Predictions for 2021
  • 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