The Art and Crime Gazette

Over the past few months I have posted on the AW Blog about the increased interest in Art Crime educational programs by not only appraiser, but law enforcement officials, museum experts and collectors. The AW posts have included information about an update of the IFAR website (click HERE to read). Back in November I posted about a masters program from the Association for Research into Crimes Against Art in Italy (ARCA, click HERE to read), and later on a report that Scotland Yard was recruiting museum specialists to act as volunteer art constables (click HERE to read). Given the high dollar figures involved with international art crime and fraud, it is not surprising that more and more programs are appearing and interest is being paid to the various forms and levels of art crime.

Fellow appraiser Stephen Sweeting ASA, an appraiser from Canada recently sent me information on the Art Crime Gazette, which is a companion site fora graduate-level course on Art and Crime at Athabasca University. Stephen is involved in the program at the Athabasca University and recommended the site. Stephen states The man behind the website, who is the Prof for the course -- is a criminal clinical psychologist who has worked in both the States and Canada. His interdisciplinary perspective on the topic is unique and I think any personal property appraiser will find the site to be hugely interesting.

The Art and Crime Gazette contains information on art theft, fakes, frauds and forgeries, vandalism, art as a crime, and artists as criminals. As appraiser we always have to be on guard to to detect fakes and frauds. Additionally we certainly do not wish to inadvertently perpetuate any false or fraudulently fabricated pieces with a legitimate appraisal. Sites like the Art Crime Gazette, IFAR, and the FBI Art theft program are growing on the Internet to battle art theft. I actually had a painting stolen from my shop which was later recovered by the FBI (who also had the National Gallery analyze it), to read about the process and that post click HERE.

To visit the Art and Crime Gazette site, click HERE. As appraisers, it is worth the time to become familiar with these types of sites.