Art, Antiques & Collectibles

Brody Wilkinson’s Business Group represents art dealers, artists, appraisers, auction houses, estates and trusts, foundations, galleries, museums and private collectors in a broad spectrum of legal issues specific to the art and antiques world. Given the firm’s equally strong business and trusts & estates practices, we are well-suited to handle many of the multi-faceted and sophisticated legal needs that arise concerning works of art and antiques.

We advise clients in a variety of transactional matters ranging from artwork purchase and sales agreements; to gallery and studio leases; commission agreements; auction contracts; grant financing; and artist-dealer disputes. In addition, we collaborate with attorneys from our Trust & Estates Group to assist clients in connection with the formation of foundations; charitable giving; tax structuring; estate and tax planning; and probate litigation. Clients benefit from the firm’s ability to provide a full complement of art-related services.

Representative matters include:

Representation of the estate of a prominent antique dealer in connection with the negotiation of auction contracts with two major international auction houses. This was a joint auction of an important collection of Americana. The collector was also a museum consultant and published numerous books on the early American artifacts and is credited for establishing certain categories of early American folk art.

Negotiation and documentation of a part gift/part sale transaction of a renowned collection of Americana art to the Deerfield Museum.

Closing of state grant financing to the Barnum Museum for use in connection with a facility upgrade to maintain the preservation integrity of the Museum.

Preparation of a design license agreement for an award winning fabric manufacturer whose products are featured in numerous interior design magazines.

Establishment and funding of an important study collection by a world renowned American sculptor, painter, draftsman and printmaker at the University of Chicago’s David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art; and resolution of tax and valuation issues before the Art Advisory Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service.

Negotiation and documentation of literary agent and publishing agreements for a two-time Newbury Honor Award winning author of childrens’ books and lecturers.

Creation and ongoing representation of a limited liability company formed to market and promote the art of a twentieth century modern artist who produced social realist, abstract, expressionist and transcendental art. His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums.

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