Art as a Commodity

Art is a commodity, despite the delusions, self and other deceptions to the contrary of aesthetes, museum directors, art historians, art teachers and even artists and art dealers themselves. There are few artists who, given the choice, would prefer absinthe and life in a garret to the fame and fortune that critical acclaim bestows. It has always been that way.

Because art is a commodity, it has just as much been the subject of disputation and litigation, as a cargo of corn or a used car. This has been so even in cases of art much less portable than a fine canvas, which can be taken from its stretcher, rolled up, inserted in a cardboard cylinder, and whisked across a border in a suitcase. The Elgin Marbles are a case in point. Value was given for them (whether to the lawful owner or otherwise is debatable) at the time, and their removal from Athens was a public spectacle. Centuries later, Greece maintains its claim to them, conveniently overlooking the fact that had they remained…