Museum allowed to auction Norman Rockwell art
Sotheby’s can go forward with next week’s auction of art from the Berkshire Museum, including a Norman Rockwell painting worth as much as $30 million, over protest by the late artist’s sons that their father donated them to remain on permanent display.
A Massachusetts state judge ruled last week that the two paintings Rockwell gave to the Pittsfield-based museum, as well as works by Albert Bierstadt, Alexander Calder and Frederic Church, can go on the auction block Monday. The art is valued at as much as $68 million, Sotheby’s has estimated.
Rockwell’s sons and artist Tom Patti sued to halt the sale, arguing the paintings, known as “Blacksmith Boy — Heel and Toe” from 1940 and “Shuffleton’s Barbershop” from 1950, could be purchased by a private collector, never to be seen again.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and former and current museum members also joined the effort to stop the sale. The state argued that a sale not only vi- olated general museum ethics, but that the trustees chose an “exorbitant” revitalization plan and upgrades that could cost $60 million.
Judge John Agostini rejected their arguments, concluding that neither Rockwell’s sons, the state of Massachusetts, nor former and current museum members had standing to sue to halt the sale.
While the museum’s decision generated debate about the rights and responsibilities of museums to sell off works — called “deacession” — Ag- ostini said the sale would help boost the museum’s financial outlook, which he said is “otherwise bleak.”
Sotheby’s said in a statement it is “very pleased that the court reaffirmed that the board of trustees acted in good faith and fulfilled its fiduciary duties.”
“We are looking forward to successful auctions beginning next week that will ensure a bright future for the Berkshire Museum in support of the community of Pittsfield and Western Massachusetts.”