Review of The Art of the Steal (2010) by Erno K — 25 Aug 2010

Boy am I glad I don't give a shit about art, because then this film would probably really piss me off. Even now my spider sense of justice is tingling irritably.

Okay, raise your hand if you thought that $30 billion worth of irreplaceable Impressionist art would really be safe from exploitation after the owner's death, his last will and testament be damned. It is fascinating to watch something gradually and inevitably corrupting before my very eyes, as more and more politicians get involved to further their own agendas. The timeline was very well constructed in the film to allow that, even though the entire shenanigans take over 80 years.

My only gripe with the documentary is that it's a bit convoluted to follow. There are all these players introduced left and right, and I was quickly overwhelmed trying to piece it all together. Too goddamn many old, white politicians. I got the big picture though, and that was as depressing as ever. Money and power win over idealistic dreams every fucking time.

I'm thinking Barnes should have burned the whole collection before his death. You can't even trust a legal document when enough money is at stake. I'm glad someone told this story, however insignificant it might be to everyone else than art lovers.