The Art Law Podcast

On this month's podcast we discuss the role of science in fine art. Specifically, what can science tell us about a work of art's origin and authenticity? Can science help us discover fakes and forgeries undetected by traditional connoisseur style observation? We are joined by the famous art scientist Jamie Martin to discuss these issues, recount famous forgery scandals, and delve into his techniqu...

Katie and Steve give listeners an update on the Berkshire Museum deaccessioning controversy. The Massachusetts Attorney General and the Museum have reached an agreement, pending approval by the Supreme Judicial Court, permitting sales of up to $55 million with the famous Norman Rockwell painting  Shuffleton's Barbershop going to an undisclosed museum. The Rockwell sons have dropped out of the liti...

In our first full-length episode, we discuss the Berkshire Museum's controversial decision to sell off 40 works of iconic art from its permanent collection to raise funds to rebrand itself as a science and natural history museum, and build a large endowment. Only after the regional museum had signed an agreement with Sotheby's auction house to deaccession these works, did the museum announce its p...

In our introductory episode we introduce ourselves and discuss the podcast's theme of exploring topics where art intersects with and interferes with the law, and vice versa. We preview upcoming episodes, including our first full length episode on when and how museums may sell art from their collections (known as deaccessioning) and the public outcry these decisions have.  Other episodes will explo...