Brooklyn Museum to Sell 12 Works
September 16 2020
Picture: Brooklyn Museum
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The NY Times have published an article regarding the Brooklyn Museum's intention to sell 12 works of art to raise funds for the care of its collection. This includes works by Cranach, Courbet, Corot and Donato de' Bardi (pictured).
The article suggests that the sale has been made easier due to an announcement in April this year from the Association of Museum Directors that it would not penalize museums that "use the proceeds from deaccessioned art to pay for expenses associated with the direct care of collections.” The article claims this change has been attributed to the COVID19 pandemic. The association has previously only condoned deaccessioning as a route to raise funds for new acquisitions. It seems that the Brooklyn Museum, who have seemingly long faced financial difficulties, are using this change in rules as an opportunity to find some stability.
The museum hopes to eventually raise $40m to establish a fund allowing them to spend $2m a year for the collection's care. The works will be sold through the auction house Christie's later this year.
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Selling the family silver to keep the house is not a new phenomenon. Let's hope this isn't the start of a more widespread trend.
