July 17, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
The newest member of the board of directors at the Frick Collection, in New York, is vice chairman at Sotheby’s auction house, and the writer Lee Rosenbaum raises concerns about the appointment in her CultureGrrl
blog.
“Museums need to participate in the market as acquirers and sometimes as sellers, yet they must maintain their proper position of being a scholarly step removed from the commercial fray,” Ms. Rosenbaum writes.
The Sotheby’s official, George Wachter, specializes in old master paintings, which are central in the Frick’s collection. Ms. Rosenbaum says the appointment constitutes a conflict of interest -– one that has to be “vigilantly” monitored.
But, Ms. Rosenbaum also adds that a person such as Mr. Wachter would bring useful expertise to the oversight of the museum.
The Frick’s appointment of Mr. Wachter may prove more of a boost to Sotheby’s image than the Frick’s, Ms. Rosenbaum says.
Ms. Rosenbaum’s blog item does not include a response from the Frick about the appointment and any concerns of a conflict of interest.
However, a Frick spokeswoman, Heidi Rosenau, tells the Chronicle: “We are mindful of the potential for conflicts of interest in running an organization. As a result, our policies set forth procedures to address a conflict of interest and to ensure that all decisions are made in the best interests of the Frick Collection.”
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