LA Museums' Ties to Art Looting and Forgery Revealed in New Book

Los Angeles, CA – A forthcoming book, Artifacts to Art: Collecting Ancient America in Midcentury L.A., reveals the role of a prominent Los Angeles gallery in the illegal trade of pre-Hispanic artifacts and the sale of forgeries to museums and collectors. The book, authored by Andrew D. Turner, Mary E. Miller, and Khristaan D. Villela, is set to be published in 2026 by the Getty Research Institute.

The Stendahl Art Galleries, a key player in the mid-20th century art scene, is at the center of the investigation. The gallery facilitated the looting, smuggling, and sale of ancient Mesoamerican artifacts to Los Angeles museums and private collectors. The book draws from the gallery's archive, now housed at the Getty Research Institute, to expose the gallery's questionable practices and the market forces that drove the demand for these artifacts.

The book details how the gallery's activities led to the acquisition of forgeries by prominent institutions. For instance, the Minneapolis Institute of Art purchased a fake 'King Chak Mool' sculpture in 1947, which was later discovered to be a forgery. The sculpture, initially valued at $10,000, was exhibited in Europe from 1958 to 1960 and became a significant piece in the museum's collection before its true origins were revealed.

Artifacts to Art also explores the shift in perception of pre-Hispanic artifacts from anthropological items to art objects suitable for museum collections and private patronage. This shift, along with the involvement of Hollywood actors and international museums, created a market for these objects. The book presents five years of research into the Stendahl Art Galleries' archive, providing a comprehensive look at the gallery's dealings and the broader context of the art market during that period.

The book is expected to shed light on why a significant amount of ancient Central and South American cultural heritage is preserved in Los Angeles museums. It also aims to answer questions about the city's role in the illicit trade of cultural artifacts and the ethical implications of such practices.

**Context/Background:** The revelation of the Stendahl Art Galleries' involvement in the illegal trade of pre-Hispanic artifacts and the sale of forgeries to museums and collectors highlights the complex and often unethical practices within the art world. This story underscores the importance of rigorous provenance research and ethical considerations in the acquisition and display of cultural artifacts. It also raises questions about the responsibility of museums and collectors in preserving cultural heritage and the need for transparency in the art market.