Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

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

‘Picasso Privileges’ Fade at LA Times

July 12, 2018 by Marion Maneker

The Los Angeles Times takes the case of its corporate art collection, once an integral part of the powerful paper’s identity, in general, and this set of Picasso lithographs, particular, to chart the fortunes of the paper over the last few years.

Works by 20th century artists Picasso, Rufino Tamayo, Helen Frankenthaler, Milton Avery, Richard Diebenkorn, Isamu Noguchi, Ellsworth Kelly, Saul Steinberg, Claes Oldenburg and many others were put on display in 1973 with the opening of the Times Mirror Building, which adjoined the existing newspaper headquarters. […] Corporate dining rooms were named after artists — Picasso, Tamayo and Steinberg — whose works hung in them. The five Picasso lithographs were from a 29-piece set of his artwork that had been on display.“ The Picasso Room was exclusive — you had to be an officer in the corporation, a high-up editor to go there,” said Roger Smith, who joined the newspaper in 1977, later became national editor and left in 2013. “I don’t think I got Picasso privileges until the 1990s. It was, ‘Oh wow, I’ve kind of arrived.’”

As print and the media’s fortunes waned and the paper was sold from owner to owner, valuable assets that were not central to the corporate mission, like the art collection, were sold. These Picasso prints are not particularly valuable. But they once had a pride of place and, as the story tells us, disappeared from a prominent conference room some time along the way.

Five Picassos went missing from the L.A. Times. What happened to them? (Los Angeles Times)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Bonhams Contemporary = $7mBonhams Contemporary = $7m
  • Pin-Up or Shut UpPin-Up or Shut Up
  • Can Joan Mitchell and Arshile Gorky Give 12% Fund Returns?Can Joan Mitchell and Arshile Gorky Give 12% Fund Returns?
  • Maastricht Adds More DealersMaastricht Adds More Dealers
  • Giorgio de Chirico, Man Ray Works Could Break Records in Sotheby’s SaleGiorgio de Chirico, Man Ray Works Could Break Records in Sotheby’s Sale
  • Jack Hamilton Bush (with a Little Help from Andy Williams) Explodes to $1.5m in Sales During Christie’s First OpenJack Hamilton Bush (with a Little Help from Andy Williams) Explodes to $1.5m in Sales During Christie’s First Open

Filed Under: Collectors

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
 

Loading Comments...