France Proposes Establishment of a National Trust Akin to the UK's, Guggenheim Asher Associates Collapses: News Bits for July 16, 2025
In the world of high-end art advisory, a prominent name, Guggenheim Asher Associates (GAA), has found itself embroiled in a bitter legal dispute between its co-founders, Barbara Guggenheim and Abigail Asher. The dispute, which has been ongoing since August 2021, has resulted in 119 filings and has effectively led to the implosion of one of the art world's top advisories.
The roots of the disagreement can be traced back to 1987 when Asher was hired by Guggenheim. Quickly rising through the ranks, Asher took on administrative, recordkeeping, and financial responsibilities for the firm. By 1995, Guggenheim offered Asher a co-ownership stake, which Asher declined, instead requesting the company name be changed to include hers, resulting in Guggenheim Asher Associates, Inc.
The partners maintained an oral agreement to split revenue and expenses 50-50, with Guggenheim focusing on client development and Asher managing operations. This arrangement reportedly remained unchanged until 2024. However, financial allegations have since arisen, with Guggenheim claiming that she did not closely monitor Asher’s recordkeeping due to her trust in Asher and the firm’s consistent profitability. Asher, on the other hand, alleges Guggenheim owes her at least $1.5 million in commissions from sales involving works by artists such as George Condo, Gilbert Stuart, and Edward Hopper, as well as a $90,000 year-end draw from GAA for 2023.
The dispute has escalated into a “brutal legal battle,” with lawsuits filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The filings include explosive claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty from both sides. The public airing of financial grievances and accusations of misconduct has not only ended their professional relationship but also undermined the reputation and operational continuity of GAA.
The legal battle is ongoing, with both parties seeking significant financial remedies, and the future of the firm remains uncertain. As of mid-July 2025, the art world is closely watching how this prominent advisory’s legacy will be resolved through the courts. The case underscores the risks of informal partnership arrangements and the potential for personal disputes to destabilize even the most established professional enterprises.
Meanwhile, in the world of art, Christie's, the global leader in art and luxury, reported $2.1 billion in sales for the first half of 2025, matching the total from the same period last year. The renewed interest in pockets of 20th- and 21st-century art, as attributed by Alex Rotter, Global President of Christie's, may have contributed to this steady performance.
Elsewhere, a 350-piece art collection, featuring lithographs, linocuts, screen prints, etchings, and engravings, depicting locales such as Dover, Maidstone, Canterbury, and Sepham Heath, is heading to auction from the basement of County Hall in Kent, UK. The estimated value of the art collection is £45,700 ($61,000).
In other art-related news, a new platform called Ibraaz is set to open in London in October, focusing on art, culture, and ideas from the global majority. Furthermore, Marie Lavandier, president of France's Centre des Monuments Nationaux, signed a declaration of intent with the UK’s National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, and English Heritage.
The idea of creating a French National Trust was discussed during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the U.K. On July 9, 2025, French culture secretary Rachida Dati and U.K. culture minister Chris Bryant signed two cooperation agreements focused on film and heritage. Luxury sales contributed almost $500 million to Christie's total sales for the first half of 2025.
Artnet News has published a list of the best art books of all time, featuring titles such as Hold Still (2015) by Sally Mann, Margot and Rudolf Wittkower's Born Under Saturn (1963), and Isabelle Graw's High Price (2009). These books offer insights into the world of art, providing a rich resource for anyone interested in the subject.
As the legal battle between Guggenheim and Asher continues, the art world awaits its resolution, while Christie's and other art institutions continue to thrive, offering a diverse range of art and literature for enthusiasts worldwide.
- Guggenheim Asher Associates (GAA) transitioned from Guggenheim Associates to Guggenheim Asher Associates, Inc., reflecting Abigail Asher's growing responsibilities within the firm.
- Modern art pieces from artists like George Condo, Gilbert Stuart, and Edward Hopper are at the heart of Abigail Asher's financial claims against Barbara Guggenheim.
- The ongoing legal dispute between Guggenheim and Asher has raised concerns about the future of high-end art advisory partnerships and their informal arrangements.
- As the legal battle persists, the art world continues to evolve, with platforms like Ibraaz focusing on art, culture, and ideas from the global majority, and Christie's reporting steady sales in 20th- and 21st-century art.
- For those with a passion for art history, the list of essential art books published by Artnet News provides valuable insights into the art world and the stories of renowned artists.