The Art of the Steal (2009)

Documentary that follows the struggle for control of Dr. Albert C. Barnes' 25 billion dollar collection of modern and post-impressionist art.

Director:

Don Argott

Stars:

Julian Bond, David D'Arcy, Richard Feigen

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Julian Bond	...	Himself - Chairman of the Board, NAACP
David D'Arcy	...	Himself - Correspondent, The Art Newspaper
Richard Feigen	...	Himself - World-Renowned Art Dealer (as Richard L. Feigen)
Richard H. Glanton	...	Himself - Former President, Barnes Foundation
Christopher Knight	...	Himself, Los Angeles Times
Ross L. Mitchell	...	Himself - Former Director of Education, Barnes Foundation
Irv Nahan	...	Himself - Former Teacher, Barnes Foundation
Harry Sefarbi	...	Himself - Artist & Former Teacher, Barnes Foundation
John F. Street	...	Himself - Mayor of Philadelphia (as John Street)
Nick Tinari	...	Himself - Attorney & Former Barnes Foundation Student
Robert Zaller	...	Himself - Professor of History & Politics, Drexel University (as Dr. Robert Zaller)

Storyline

Documentary that follows the struggle for control of Dr. Albert C. Barnes' 25 billion dollar collection of modern and post-impressionist art.

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Plot Keywords:

art | barnes foundation | 

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Taglines:

The true story of a multi-billion dollar art heist and how they got away with it.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

MAJ Productions Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Искусство воровства

Filming Locations:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$39,019, 28 February 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$541,027, 23 May 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

9.14 Pictures, Maj Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Dinner for Schmucks/Charlie St. Cloud/Get Low (2010)

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Soundtracks

Iron Man
Written by Ozzy Osbourne (as John Osbourne), Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward
Performed by The Bad Plus
Courtesy of Sony

User Reviews

Art Does As Art Is

Dr. Albert C.Barnes was one of the richest men in America in the late 19th century/early 20th century,after William Randolf Hurst,and others. He became as rich as he was by inventing a treatment for VD (now known as sexually transmitted diseases). With the money he earned,he started collecting art (mainly classical,but some modern art as well). To house all of that art,he started the Barnes Foundation. Albert Barnes also had his dark side:he held a burning grudge toward the city of Philadelphia,so much that he housed his art in a large building,in the guise of an art school,only allowing the students to view the works (mainly as an artistic level,and absolutely not for any kind of monetary reasoning). This did not sit well with the powers that be (in this case,the powerful Annenburg empire,whom Barnes detested with a passion,as well as Philadelphia's museum). After Barnes'death in 1951, the collection fell into the hands of various owners,each with a hidden agenda of their own (including,but not limited to Philadelphia's Lincoln University). The various talking heads that populate this film tell their own take on the who's,what's,when's,where's & why's all of this came to an ugly head,over a period of 50 plus years,until the Barnes collection did eventually find a permanent home in downtown Philadelphia. Don Argot directs & photographs this film,which some have called a one-sided argument for the ownership & control of art (as a business). Not rated by the MPAA,this film contains occasional outbursts of strong language,but is okay for older teenagers that are interested in art.