Guy Wildenstein
Encyclopedia
Guy Wildenstein is a French
/American
businessman, art dealer
and racehorse
owner and breeder
.
, an art dealer, race horse owner and breeder in France. His family had to flee her country following the German occupation of France during World War II and make her way to the United States where Guy was born. He is a member of the Assembly of French Citizens Abroad
.
Among Wildenstein's art businesses is the Wildenstein & Company art gallery
at 19 East 64th St.
in Paris. These pieces had been registered as “disappeared” or “stolen” and included some art by Degas and Manet. In July 2011, Guy Wildenstein, spent 36 hours in French police custody, sleeping two nights in the suburban headquarters for a special art theft
squad outside Paris, where he was formally charged with concealing art that had been reported missing or stolen.
, criticised Guy Wildenstein in June 2011, after the Wildenstein Institute refused to allow the painting Bords de la Seine a Argenteuil
into the catalogue raisonné, despite the programme submitting documentary evidence to prove its authenticity. The programme's presenter Philip Mould
called for the Wildenstein Institute to be replaced by a committee of scholars for the purpose of adjudicating whether a painting is an original Monet or not.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
/American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, art dealer
Art dealer
An art dealer is a person or company that buys and sells works of art. Art dealers' professional associations serve to set high standards for accreditation or membership and to support art exhibitions and shows.-Role:...
and racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
owner and breeder
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
.
Early Life
Guy Wildenstein is the son of Daniel WildensteinDaniel Wildenstein
Daniel Leopold Wildenstein was a French art dealer and scholar, as well as a leading thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder....
, an art dealer, race horse owner and breeder in France. His family had to flee her country following the German occupation of France during World War II and make her way to the United States where Guy was born. He is a member of the Assembly of French Citizens Abroad
Assembly of French Citizens Abroad
The Assembly of French Citizens Abroad is the political body that represents French citizens living outside of France. The assembly advises the government on issues involving French nationals living outside France, as well as the role of France in overseas developments...
.
Career
After his father's death in 2001, Guy Wildenstein assumed managing control of the art business, leaving his brother Alec to concentrate mainly on the horse racing and breeding operations. Alec Wildenstein died in 2008 leaving Guy in charge of both businesses. The size of his share of the family fortune and trusts, estimated from $5 billion to $10 billion, was disputed by his stepmother, Silvia Wildenstein, in 2009.Among Wildenstein's art businesses is the Wildenstein & Company art gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
at 19 East 64th St.
Arrest
In January 2011, French police seized 30 artworks from the Wildenstein InstituteDaniel Wildenstein
Daniel Leopold Wildenstein was a French art dealer and scholar, as well as a leading thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder....
in Paris. These pieces had been registered as “disappeared” or “stolen” and included some art by Degas and Manet. In July 2011, Guy Wildenstein, spent 36 hours in French police custody, sleeping two nights in the suburban headquarters for a special art theft
Art theft
Art theft is usually for the purpose of resale or for ransom . Stolen art is sometimes used by criminals to secure loans.. One must realize that only a small percentage of stolen art is recovered. Estimates range from 5 to 10%. This means that little is known about the scope and characteristics of...
squad outside Paris, where he was formally charged with concealing art that had been reported missing or stolen.
Criticism
The BBC programme, Fake or Fortune?Fake or Fortune?
Fake or Fortune? is a 2011 BBC television series which examines the provenance of notable artworks. It is presented by journalist Fiona Bruce and art dealer and art historian Philip Mould.There are four episodes:...
, criticised Guy Wildenstein in June 2011, after the Wildenstein Institute refused to allow the painting Bords de la Seine a Argenteuil
Bords de la Seine a Argenteuil
' is an oil painting owned by Englishman David Joel. The painting is by Claude Monet and is a landscape depicting the River Seine at Argenteuil in France.It was featured on the BBC TV programme, Fake or Fortune?....
into the catalogue raisonné, despite the programme submitting documentary evidence to prove its authenticity. The programme's presenter Philip Mould
Philip Mould
Philip Mould OBE is an English art dealer and art historian, specialising in British portraits.-Biography:Mould has made a number of art discoveries, particularly in the works of Thomas Gainsborough, and Tudor portraiture...
called for the Wildenstein Institute to be replaced by a committee of scholars for the purpose of adjudicating whether a painting is an original Monet or not.