Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts

by John Henry Merryman, Stephen K. Urice, Simon J. Frankel

Overview

Since its first publication in 1979, Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts has been the foundational text in the field of art law. This thoroughly reorganized and updated sixth edition takes a fresh look at primary materials and commentary from previous editions, extending the book's analysis with significant changes in format and content to reflect changes in the field. The book has multiple uses and audiences: a text for courses in law schools and graduate programs, a reference work for lawyers and museum professionals, and a lively read - filled with engaging legal stories and colorful anecdotes featuring the broad cast of characters in the art world. Complementing their own observations, the authors include excerpts from judicial opinions, scholarly and popular articles, international treaties, and statutory law. Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts offers a cornucopia of examples, questions, issues, and lessons for students, artists, dealers, collectors, attorneys, and any reader curious about today's complex world of the visual arts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107038011
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/29/2025
Edition description:	6th Revised ed.
Pages:	1198
Product dimensions:	7.13(w) x 10.24(h) x 1.97(d)

About the Author

John Henry Merryman (1920–2015) was an esteemed Stanford Law School Professor and founder of the field now known as Art Law. Professor Merryman first taught Art Law at Stanford in the early 1970s and wrote widely on artists' rights and cultural property issues before his death in 2015.

Stephen K. Urice is Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law. A former archaeologist and attorney, he earned a Ph.D. in art history and J.D. at Harvard University. Professor Urice writes and lectures internationally on art, museum, and cultural property law.

Simon J. Frankel is a Judge on the Superior Court of California in San Francisco and teaches Art and the Law at Stanford Law School. He has spoken and published widely on issues concerning art and law. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law in San Francisco for twenty-eight years.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. The Artist and the Art Market; 3. Artists' Rights in the Works They Create; 4. The Art Collector and the Art Market; 5. Title and Authenticity; 6. Taxes, Death, and Divorce – and Art; 7. Art and Armed Conflict; 8. Antiquities and the Trade in Cultural Property; 9. Museums; 10. Art, Freedom of Expression, and the Government.

Editorial Reviews

‘This new edition is a monumental contribution to the field of art law. Authoritative, comprehensive, fascinating, and rich, this long-awaited revision to a classic text is essential reading for specialists and newcomers alike.’ Amy Adler, Emily Kempin Professor of Law, New York University School of Law

‘A tour de force! Professor Urice and Judge Frankel handle a broad range of complex topics with elegance, clarity and scholarly rigor, making Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts required reading in the rapidly evolving field of art law.’ Stephen W. Clark, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, J. Paul Getty Trust

‘This new edition of Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts updates the foundational text in the field by the legendary John Henry Merryman with key cases and thought-provoking articles and questions. An indispensable resource for anyone interested in art and law.’ Sharon H. Cott, Senior Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

‘John Henry Merryman’s pioneering scholarship defined the field of Art Law, and this new edition of Law, Ethics, and the Visual Arts carries his legacy forward with remarkable depth and clarity. Thoughtfully reimagined by Stephen Urice and Simon Frankel, it remains an essential resource for navigating the legal and ethical complexities of today’s art world.’ George Triantis, Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean, Stanford Law School

‘This new edition is an insightful, engaging, comprehensive, and remarkably accessible dive into the world of art law. It is a true treasure and a wonderful resource for professors, students, professionals, and anyone else curious about the field.’ Adine K. Varah, General Counsel, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

From the Publisher