A very savvy art trader, from a long line of private dealers, once said that a clear sign a work was for sale was one when a collector showed him around the house and would stop in front of particularly good piece. Without being asked, the collector would praise the picture and then add, 'Of course, I would never sell it.'

That story comes to mind after reading Bloomberg's nice piece promoting Emmanuel Di Donna's show inaugurating his new gallery on Madison Avenue in New York. The show features works that are not for sale from several private collections, including a Clyfford Still painting, 1945-R, owned by Len Riggio:

“We look at it long term,” Riggio said. “I can tell you right now that my piece is not for sale.”