Finland seizes Russian museums' artworks at the border

[Sherman A1]

Finnish Customs have seized artworks bound for Russia at the Vaalimaa border crossing.

Sami Rakshit, the director of the Customs' board's Enforcement Department, said that the artworks were worth some 42 million euros, according to insurance valuations.

According to Customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the items fall under the sanctions the European Union has brought in against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Rakshit said the shipments include paintings as well as sculptures and are part of the movement of items between museums in Russia and Europe, and they are being held in temporary storage in the capital city region.

He declined to name museums that might have items currently in Customs' custody, after reports in Russian media that the Hermitage in St Petersburg had items confiscated at the Finnish border.


https://yle.fi/news/3-12393341

[Backseat Driver]

1. Thank you, Finland!

This article sent me on a hunt for what might have been held. Instead, I found this site with articles under various headings including this whole menu heading covering what may be impacting the fine art world with regard to this round of sanctions and especially in light of something I saw recently in an ICIJ's email newsletter about moneylaundering via the art world's buy/sell histories, past and current. Other's are behind the NYT paywall or their own. Other sites may have picked up something similar/same as one scrolls down browser offerings:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/keywords/russia-ukraine-crisis-2022

I don't subscribe but get a free email update/newsletter here: https://www.icij.org/

[Sherman A1]

2. Thanks for sharing this information

Much appreciated!

[Escurumbele]

5. Money Laundering in art is a constant. All you have to do is go to Miami when the "Miami Art Basel"

is on. You cannot believe the crap that sells for over $100,000.00

I am an artist, and I don't consider myself better than anyone, but when I see that a banana taped to a wall sells for $120,000.00 then you know it is money laundering, or when you see a small canvas Gessoed grey, with a thin white line painted from top to bottom on the left side of the canvas, and then the number 2 painted in soft pink selling for $100,000.00 that is another clue.

Art presents the best opportunities for money launderers, it is easy to buy and no one cares.

[Escurumbele]

3. Sami Rakshit should replace the "t" with a "d", sounds better...But yes, thank you, the more the

better.

I still think that none of it worries Putin, he is a billionaire who doesn't suffer with any of those sanctions, and he doesn't care if Russian citizens suffer either. His mind is only on what Putin wants, someone needs to take him out from power. He may also be like his pupil, who doesn't care about art unless it is a portrait of him.

[flying_wahini]

4. Why do I get the feeling that these are probably conciliatory gifts for the Oligarchs in Russia?

Naw, they wouldn’t do that, would they?

[KS Toronado]

6. It's Karma Russia

Try and steal a peaceful country and you reap what you sow.

[James48]

7. Finland, if you are listening...

NATO just invited you to apply.

And you better take advantage of that opportunity QUICK, before Russia decides otherwise for you.