Art in Brief

Latest Episodes:

Inside the FBI Art Crime Team: From Undercover Agents to Founders of ALI Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Paris and Andrea sit down with former FBI Art Crime Team agents Ronnie Walker and Dave Bass.

They share incredible stories from their time undercover, including recovering a multi-million dollar stolen pair of ruby slippers and bringing one of America’s most infamous art forgers to justice.

Now out of the Bureau, Ronnie and Dave reveal how their experiences led them to co-found The Art Legacy Institute, and what’s next in their mission to protect artists and their work.

A big thanks to Eva Bella for guiding the research for this episode.

Connect with Ronnie and Dave Here:

For More Information:

Art Legacy Institute:

Alitheon:

https://alitheon.com/

AWS:

https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/?ams%23interactive-card-vertical%23pattern-data--2066256937.filter=%257B%2522filters%2522%253A%255B%255D%257D

Ruby Slippers Case:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/04/30/feature/the-case-of-dorothys-stolen-ruby-slippers/

Earl Washington Case:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/arts/earl-washington-woodblocks-art-fraud.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZE8.RkOq.-8-4beaBhG5o&smid=url-share

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The Debate Over Artist Royalties Jun 27, 2025

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In this episode, Paris and Andrea dive deep into a discussion on Artist Resale Rights. They talk about how these rights function differently across different countries, and why this issue remains such a hotly debated topic in the art world.

for more information check out this Center for Art Law article: https://itsartlaw.org/2019/07/01/its-not-that-easy-artist-resale-royalty-rights-and-the-art-act/

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Navigating Nazi-Era Looted Art with Raymond Dowd May 27, 2025

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Paris and Andrea sit down with Raymond Dowd, one of the foremost voices in art law and cultural and intellectual property.
Together, they speak with Raymond about his experiences working on cases involving Nazi-era looted art, with a particular focus on the case Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation.
They also explore the complexities of navigating conflicting international legal systems, as well as the postwar incentives that fueled the acquisition of stolen art.

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AI, Copyright, and Art May 13, 2025

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In this episode, Atreya Mathur sits down with the podcast to explain all things AI and copyright, specifically highlighting the case Thaler v Perlmutter.

Soon after our podcast with Atreya Mathur was recorded, the U.S. Copyright Office released a pre-publication of Part 3 of its Copyright and AI Report, focusing on the use of copyrighted works to train AI. Shortly after its release, Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights, was removed from office by the current administration. We hope to reconnect with Atreya soon to discuss the report, AI training, and fair use in light of these developments.

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Owning Frida Kahlo Apr 02, 2025

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Frida Kahlo’s face is everywhere—on tequila bottles, dolls, clothing, prepaid Mastercards, and beyond. But who actually owns the rights to her image? In this episode, we unravel the complexities of trademarking an artist’s likeness and how it has shaped, and sometimes distorted, Kahlo’s legacy. Can someone truly claim ownership over a person’s image after their death? And if so, under what terms? Tune in to explore the legal and ethical questions behind the commercialization of Frida Kahlo.

Read more about Frida Kahlo's cases on the Center for Art Law's website:

https://itsartlaw.org/center-for-art-law-summer-school-2025/

Link to the FKC's Website:

https://www.fridakahlocorporation.com/

*note: we incorrectly named Mara Romeo, Mara Kahlo

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Art and the Environment Mar 10, 2025

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This week in ART IN BRIEF, Paris and Andrea explore fascinating case studies and complex questions that arise when art meets the environment.
What happens when art and artists engage with the natural world? How have they been challenged by regulations and legal limitations over the years? Our new episode traces the hisotry of land art and legal battles that have shaped its evolution.
Don’t miss this deep dive into the legal and ethical complexities of art and the environment!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/over-the-river-when-art-and-law-make-landfall-tickets-1138440438999?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

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The Getty v Italy Feb 16, 2025

Show notes

What happens when the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Italian state find themselves in a decades long legal battle over a 2000 year old statue? Find out in this weeks episode!

For more information on the case: https://itsartlaw.org/2024/07/24/case-review-getty-v-italy-2024/

For more information on how the Getty Villa has been impacted by the LA fires: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/09/nx-s1-5252939/getty-villa-museum-threatened-by-wildfire-but-collection-remains-safe

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Welcome to Art in Brief Jan 27, 2025

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Hosts Paris Sistilli and Andrea Konigs sit down with Irina Tarsis and Atreya Mathur to introduce the Center for Art Law's new podcast, Art in Brief.

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