Roy Lichtenstein, “Thinking Nude 289,” 1994, edition of 40, relief print on Rives BFK.
I’m in the middle of An Object of Beauty, Steve Martin’s entertaining new novel about the Upper East Side art world’s auctions, fabulously wealthy collectors, and their dealers’ unregulated, extremely lucrative (and perhaps illegal) business practices. This recent news story (via AFP) reminds me that the corner of the art world depicted in Martin’s breezy novel may be far from the scrappy, cash-poor art world I know, but it isn’t simply a figment of his imagination.
Police in New York have asked for public assistance in tracking a half a dozen paintings by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein that were stolen from an apartment in November. A police statement made public Friday said the burglary took place between November 24 and 28 when an unknown suspect broke through a hallway wall into the apartment and removed artwork, watches and other jewelry.
The artwork includes “Superman”, “The Truck” and “Camouflage” by Andy Warhol as well as Lichtenstein’s “Moonscape” and “Thinking Nude.” “Live Cat,” a painting by British artist Carl Fudge, was also among the stolen objects. Police have not revealed the name of the collection’s owner, but local media reports said it belonged to New York art collector Robert Romanoff. The value of the stolen objects is estimated to be around 750,000 dollars.
I guess I should read Lindsey Pollock’s blog Art Market Views more regularly for news of the UES art world.
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