Milton Esterow returns to journalism with a long recap of the now 25-year legal wrangle over the estate of Peggy Guggenheim. The latest flare-up of law suits began in 2013 and seems to have been provoked entirely by resentment over the inclusion of another family’s works among Guggenheim’s.

The growing trend toward private museums seems to be building upon a fixation with “donor intent” over the needs and value of the art and artists. Here’s how Esterow characterizes Guggenheim and her influence:Continue Reading