The Art of Crime

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Latest Episodes:

The Devil Wears Rothko (Crimes of Old New York) Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Today, we're joined by acclaimed author and filmmaker Barry Avrich to talk about one of the most colossal art fraud cases in New York history. It all started when a woman named Glafira Rosales walked into the storied Knoedler Gallery with a painting she claimed to have been created by Mark Rothko. The ensuing fiasco ended in catastrophe for the gallery.

The Devil Wears Rothko by Barry Avrich is out June 24, 2025, and you can pre-order a copy today.

If you'd like to support The Art of Crime, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Shooting Andy Warhol: Valerie Solanas (Re-Release) Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

This week, I'm re-releasing one of my all-time favorite episodes of The Art of Crime, "Shooting Andy Warhol: Valerie Solanas." It originally aired ac ouple years back, during seasons 2 of the podcast, Assassins. It looks at how playwright, writer, and all-around hellraiser Valerie Solanas shot and nearly killed Andy Warhol in 1968.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Theft and the Met (Crimes of Old New York) Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Today, we're joined by the fabulous Amanda Matta, host of the Art of History podcast, to talk about theft and New York's Metropolitan Museum. On the one hand, the Met has acquired a good chunk of its collection by dubious means, including the purchase of looted objects. On the other hand, the museum itself has become the target of thieves, leading to some of New York's most astounding art heists.

Make sure to check out Art of History and follow Amanda on social media. If you're interested in royal history, you should definitely check out her work since she made a name for herself as TikTok's number one royal commentator.

If you'd like to support The Art of Crime, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Show notes available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

Wig Heist! (Crimes of Old New York) Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

One Monday morning in 1958, Nina Lawson, Mistress of Wigs at the Metropolitan Opera, came into work to discover that someone had stolen thirty thousand dollars' worth of wigs from the Met. The theft made national headlines, and the FBI joined the hunt for the culprits.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Meteoric Rise of Audrey Munson (Crimes of Old New York) Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Today, I'm thrilled to share an episode of a wonderful podcast, ArtMuse. This is part one of a two-part episode about Audrey Munson, sometimes referred to as "America's first supermodel." She inspired more than a dozen prominent statues throughout New York. After reaching the height of her fame, she got roped into one of the early twentieth century's most sensational homicide trials, right up there with the trial of Harry Thaw for the murder of Stanford White.

You can learn more about ArtMuse here: https://www.artmusepodcast.com/.

If you'd like to suppor The Art of Crime, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

To Catch a Book Thief (Crimes of Old New York) Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In 1931, a trio of thieves stole a rare book by Edgar Allan Poe worth more than half a million dollars from the New York Public Library. To bring them to justice, the library called in G. William Bergquist, an investigator who specialized in recovering stolen books.

Mae West Goes to Jail (Crimes of Old New York) Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

In 1927, blond-haired bombshell and future movie star Mae West performed the lead role in a play about a prostitute titled SEX. The risqué production launched her to stardom on Broadway. There was just one problem--it also launched her straight into a jail cell.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

A Gentleman and a Thief (Crimes of Old New York) Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In the Roaring Twenties, Arthur Barry stole millions of dollars' worth of jewels from some of New York's wealthiest residents. Today, we talk about the cat burglar's audacious capers with best-selling author Dean Jobb, whose new biography of Barry is titled A Gentleman and a Thief. For more about Jobb's writing, visit his website at https://www.deanjobb.com/.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Murder at Madison Square Garden (Crimes of Old New York) Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

In 1901, Broadway chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit met Stanford White, the fabulously wealthy and influential architect who designed Madison Square Garden. They formed a relationship that ended in murder six years later, right in the middle of a crowded performance at Madison Square Garden.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Child Musicians of Crosby Street (Crimes of Old New York) Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

In the 1860s and '70s, hundreds--maybe thousands--of Italian children migrated to New York to make money as street musicians. They worked for bosses known as padroni, living in squalor and suffering abuse at the hands of their employers. In 1873, the plight of these little street performers unleashed outrage in New York and neighboring states, which prompted the federal government to take action.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

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