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"We are not in the business of upsetting and alienating our donors and community"

By Intellectual Property Law, Esq.

Interesting sidebar on the Montclair Art Museum deaccessioning: the museum has "decided not to auction off [a] 104-year-old portrait of one of its founders after his descendants complained that the memory of the Montclair civic leader was being disrespected." The portrait was expected to bring $25,000-$35,000.

The remainder of the "aggressive" deaccessioning remains on, however:

"The museum, which has been struggling financially as a result of the recession, has come under fire for its plan to deaccession so many works. Critics have questioned the timing of the sale and the decision to invest the proceeds for use in the future. [Montclair director Lora] Urbanelli claims the museum's actions are within the ethical guidelines outlined by the Association of Art Museum Directors."

Full post as published by The Art Law Blog on May 16, 2009 (boomark / email).