Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

A judge ruled that the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Foundation can continue to fight for ownership of two Picasso paintings. Julius Schoeps, a University of Potsdam professor, has claimed that his family should own the paintings since "Boy Leading a Horse" and "Le Moulin de la Galette" were sold during the Nazi reign in Germany by his relative, a German Jewish banker.  read more »

Thomas Krens, the director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation for almost 20 years, will step down from his position, taking a cue from his board, according to the New York Times. Mr. Krens has been quarrelling with the Foundation since its biggest benefactor, the Cleveland philanthropist Peter B. Lewis, resigned three years ago, arguing that Mr. Krens was spending too much money and should focus more on the foundation’s New York flagship museum rather than on funneling resources into developing international Guggenheim satellites. “This is something that Tom and the board decided together,” Jennifer Stockman, the board’s president, told the New York Times. She characterized Mr. Krens’s new position as Senior Advisor for International Affairs as a “natural transition.” She added, “The museum is in a strong position to move on.”  read more »

Restitution strikes again! The Museum of Modern Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation are currently in court battling a German scholar who claims their Picasso paintings were rightfully owned by his Jewish great uncle, who was persecuted in Nazi Germany.

The Associated Press reports:  read more »

Artsjournal.com reports that Guggenheim director Thomas Krens has put his 4,500-square-foot downtown loft on the market for $5.5 million.

And they entertain speculation Mr. Krens is leaving the Guggenheim, pointing to rumors in Artland that he is on the way out at the Guggenheim, and Vicky Ward's recent Vanity Fair account of the Guggenheim saga.  read more »

Note those Gehry-designed chairs! Also, some serious reporting: "According to the Gugg's IRS Form 990 tax filings, the Krens-directed Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation has carried a a $1.5 million interest-free housing loan to Krens on their books since at least FY 2001."