On the Right

UPCOMING art auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s are hugely noticed in the New York Times. Two Picassos are especially prominent. The first is labeled Dora Maar with Cat, and it is expected to fetch $50 million. The second, called Repose, is even uglier, and is expected to go for about $20 million.

The display raises several questions, the first of them being, Why would anyone wish to own these Picassos? There is only a single answer to that, which is, “Because they are so valuable.” Imagine a situation in which you woke to find in the mail a package containing Dora Maar. It is yours, with a single condition attached: You are not permitted to sell it. What would you do?

About the Author

William F. Buckley Jr.

William F. Buckley Jr. founded National Review magazine in 1955.

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UPCOMING art auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s are hugely noticed in the New York Times. Two Picassos are especially prominent. The first is labeled Dora Maar with Cat, and it is expected to fetch $50 million. The second, called Repose, is even uglier, and is expected to go for about $20 million.

The display raises several questions, the first of them being, Why would anyone wish to own these Picassos? There is only a single answer to that, which is, “Because they are so valuable.” Imagine a situation in which you woke to find in the mail a package containing Dora Maar. It is yours, with a single condition attached: You are not permitted to sell it. What would you do?