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…