Museum Association Questions Denver Art Deal

“Two committees of the Association of Art Museum Directors are looking into ethical issues surrounding the Denver Art Museum’s April purchase of an 1892 painting by famed American painter Thomas Eakins. To fund the acquisition, the museum struck an unorthodox deal with billionaire Denver collector Philip Anschutz. In return for a financial donation, he received 50 percent ownership in the painting as well as 50 percent ownership in a major work already in the institution’s collection.”