The Economist on the Art Loss Register

The Economist has a very article on the Art Loss Register. It recounts how at the recent Versace’s sale at Sotheby's a portrait (see image) by late 18th century artist Johann Zoffany came under scrutiny as a potentially stolen peice of art. According to the Economist Sotheby's was promting the sale and the painting when its ownership and title were called into question. The painting was pulled from the sale after Sotehby's was contacted by the Art Loss Register who was contacted by the owners of the painting, whcih had been stolen from their colletion 30 years earlier.

The Art Loss Register is a fee based organization, charging for searches and listings. It is not inexpensive to use, but it is a tool appraisers should be aware of, especially when working with high value items.

The Economist reports The ALR’s work is well known to Sotheby’s, which was involved in starting the business in 1991. When they learned that ALR staff believed that this was indeed a stolen painting, it was immediately withdrawn from the sale.

Had the Zoffany been stolen since 1991, it would have appeared in the ALR’s database. Their staff scour auctioneers’ catalogues and are confident that they would have identified the painting and alerted the saleroom. Sotheby’s had toyed with putting the portrait in a sale of English paintings; had they done so, the Evening Standard would likely not have mentioned it. Fortunately for the Zoffany’s rightful owners, the Versace family insisted that Gianni’s collection receive a single, comprehensive sale, with consequent high publicity.

To read the Economist piece click HERE. To visit the ALR website, click HERE.