New European Art Resale Law Will Put London Dealers, Auction Houses At Disadvantage, Say Critics

“From New Year’s Day under European legislation the UK’s art dealers and auctioneers must pay the heirs or estates of artists deceased within 70 years up to 4% of the sale price of each work they sell for more than €1,000 (£840). With Picasso, Matisse, Bacon, Lowry and Sickert all in this category, critics of Europe’s imposition of Artist Resale Rights (ARR) claim the EU directive will put London at a competitive disadvantage with top art works going instead to rival markets in New York, Geneva and Hong Kong, where no such levy applies.”