One of the most influential figures in the market of contemporary art dealer Larry Gagosian (Larry Gagosian), and the auction house Christie's have been embroiled in multimillion lawsuit concerning control over the market works by Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol). This is the judicial process initiated by, the English filmmaker, Joe Simon-Whelan (Joe Simon-Whelan), accuses the Warhol Foundation in an incorrect attribution of ownership of the self-portrait of the artist, presumably, created in 1964 in the famous studio The Factory. " Gagosian and the head of New York Office of Christie's Mary Baer (Maria Baer), as well as director of the gallery Haunch of Venison Barrett White (Barrett White) and the archivist of the Museum of Warhol Matt Urbiken (Matt Wrbican) received subpoenas to appear in court as witnesses.

It all began in 2001 when Simon-Whelan has decided to sell a self-portrait (hoping to rescue him about two million dollars). Knowing that no decent auction will not take the work of Warhol, without authentication from the Commission on the authentication of the Fund, the director sent him to them for examination. And he received an unexpected response: "Fake". Expert opinion did not satisfy the owner, and he decided to conduct its own investigation. In 2003, Simon Whelan, again came to the fund, bearing in her arms strong evidence: confirming the authenticity of a letter from a friend of Warhol by Paul Morrissey (Paul Morrissey) and the chief photographer "Factory" Billy Name (Billy Name), as well as transcripts from the Museum Warhol, the artist recalls how it was created by the product. But it is to convince professionals and could not, and the picture the second time got bright red stamp with the word DENIED («denied [the authenticity]"). Now the angry Englishman wants suing the Fund as much as 20 million dollars.

Simon-Whelan claims that the organization seeks to monopolize the market for Warhol. According to him, the Commission's experts are called many original works of fakes to create a deficit and "screwed" prices for works from the collection of which he sells in order to finance its numerous grants. Typically, expert does not say why they found the work of false. In the event of the Simon-Whelan, they stated that his self-portrait may not be original, because it is not written by hand and printed, and his linen canvas and not cotton. The Commission reserves the right to record a fake picture, which had itself has classified as genuine. She was also accused that it distorts their products stamped "Denied».

Briton said that the original self-portrait has been recognized even before he gave it to specialists of the Fund. In addition, the canvas once appeared at auction Christie's. According to lawyer Fund Nicholas Gravante Jr. (Nicholas Gravante Jr.), In the history of work has a darker episode: allegedly stolen from a house in Buckinghamshire.

On plaintiff Gravante Jr. speaks very sharply. He stated that the Fund is ready to pursue Simon-Whelan, "until the end of his life" if that would be ordered to pay court costs. "Whatever the outcome, [Simon-Whelan] is going to make money - he and a book on this argument says, and the movie takes off - says the lawyer. -" When we won the case, we have it from the ground we'll get - even when he runs away to London and hide in the cellar. This lawsuit was originally supplied in a fraudulent manner ».

As to the prosecution, then the defender Simon-Whelan, Brian Kerr (Brian Kerr) is quite confident that victory will be for them. It has already taken statements from the President of the Fund Joel Wachs (Joel Wachs) and Barrett White. Story of the last plaintiff was very pleased. Kerr denies "criminal history" paintings.

C Gagosyanom and Mary Baer agreed that while they will not take testimony. Representatives of both declined to comment.

name Andy Warhol (1928-1987) - one of the most important art market in the twentieth century. It is also highly rated, probably only works by Picasso and Monet. Last November, the picture "The father of pop art, titled" Eight Elvis "was sold for 100 million dollars. About the development of its market can be read here .

material prepared Yulia Maksimova, AI

Source: independent.co.uk , artinvestment.ru