The Artist Estate: A Handbook for Artists, Executors, and Heirs

Andy Warhol memorably said that “death can really make you look like a star,” but death in itself is not a guarantee of the relevance of an artist. What is of crucial importance is the proper management structure for the posthumous preservation and development of an artist’s estate. The Artist Estate, a handbook written by Loretta Würtenberger, presents the possible legal frameworks and appropriate financing models available in this situation, as well as the proper handling of interest from the market, museums and academia. Würtenberger’s business, Fine Art Partners, has advised artists and artists’ estates for many years. Based on numerous international examples, the author explains the different alternatives for maintaining an artist’s estate and makes recommendations on how best to handle work, archives and ephemera following the death of an artist.