Sotheby’s has been quietly writing to English councils, providing free valuations of their prime 5 artworks, in keeping with the Financial Times—a generous-sounding transfer that critics say smells like a prelude to a public-sector fireplace sale.
In a letter despatched by the public sale home’s Tax, Heritage and UK Museums division, the pitch was framed as obligation-free. However connected had been case research of previous gross sales. The subtext? “Ever take into consideration how a lot that Lowry gathering mud in storage is likely to be value?”
The provide comes as native councils, already stretched skinny, face brutal choices—lower providers, elevate taxes, or promote property. Some have already gone bankrupt. Enter Sotheby’s, which can also be going through its personal squeeze after a greater than 25% dip in global sales last year.
Critics aren’t mincing phrases. Maurice Davis of Cultural Associates Oxford referred to as the transfer an try and “tempt them into excited about what property they might strip.” Sir Mark Jones, former director of the V&A and interim director of the British Museum, was much more blunt: “Sotheby’s should be relatively determined.”
Cultural leaders warn that promoting council-owned artwork may alienate donors and intestine public collections constructed over generations. “Public collections are on the coronary heart of a profitable neighborhood,” stated Simon Wallis, director of the Hepworth Wakefield. Offloading works to cowl shortfalls, he warned, solves nothing long-term—and completely diminishes the general public belief.
Councils together with Leeds, Derby, and Kirklees had been contacted. Some ignored the provide. Others, like Horsham, left the door ajar. And so they’d be clever to recollect: when Northampton flogged a prized Egyptian statue for £15.8mn in 2014, it misplaced its Arts Council accreditation—and the general public funding that got here with it.
Sotheby’s advised the FT it’s solely providing providers like insurance coverage valuations and says museums weren’t contacted instantly. Nonetheless, in a local weather the place each councils and public sale homes are feeling the pinch, it’s exhausting to not learn between the brushstrokes.
