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Courtesy The Art of the Steal
The Art of the Steal
The Art of the Steal is an elaborate game of Clue—only instead of figuring out who murdered whom, with what weapon, in which room; the mysteries are who destroyed one man’s beatific vision, with what tactics, in which jurisdiction?
The film opens with these words: “In 1922 Albert C. Barnes, M.D., created The Barnes Foundation in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, five miles from the center of Philadelphia. The Foundation houses the most important collection of Post Impressionist and Early-Modern art in the world.”
Followed by a direct quote from Barnes: “The Barnes Foundation would attack the enemies of intelligence and imagination in art, whether or not those enemies are protected by financial power or social prestige.”
Thus, the stage is set for a tragic culture/money war.
Barnes came from a working class background and supported his college education in the boxing ring. The tough scholar manifested a beatific vision—a gracefully, elegantly, and intelligently displayed collection of fine art in a beautiful building, surrounded by beautiful landscaping, housing a school for artists. Although he used his considerable resources to protect his vision from encroachment and theft, his legal prowess and financial legacies were unable to protect this vision. The enemies won.
Directed and shot by Don Argott, the film tells several stories: Barnes’ biography focusing on his relationship with art; the history of his 25 billion dollar collection and the Foundation he established to protect and nurture his vision.
We follow Barnes' life-long battles with the government, leadership, and elite of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the final battle to save his Foundation and vision—the building, grounds, school, as well as the social, intellectual, and reverent environment he cultivated.
The Art of the Steal is a rich, expertly produced documentary with high production values which tells a surprisingly harrowing story. It has brought national and international attention to a tragic injustice.