The outside of the Art Institute
The Art Institute Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
The outside of the Art Institute
The Art Institute Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

A collection of South Asian art, donated by the late arts patron Marilynn Alsdorf — once referred to as “the queen of the Chicago arts scene” — is causing problems for the Art Institute of Chicago and raising questions about origin and ownership.

A new investigation from ProPublica and Crain’s Chicago Business has found evidence that at least several pieces in the large collection were stolen and exported illegally.

Reset sits down with the journalists behind this investigation and an expert on illegal antiquities for a deeper look at how museums are dealing with stolen artifacts.

GUESTS: Elyssa Cherney, Crain’s Chicago Business reporter

Steve Mills, deputy Midwest editor for ProPublica

Erin Thompson, art crime professor at the City University of New York

The outside of the Art Institute
The Art Institute Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
The outside of the Art Institute
The Art Institute Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

A collection of South Asian art, donated by the late arts patron Marilynn Alsdorf — once referred to as “the queen of the Chicago arts scene” — is causing problems for the Art Institute of Chicago and raising questions about origin and ownership.

A new investigation from ProPublica and Crain’s Chicago Business has found evidence that at least several pieces in the large collection were stolen and exported illegally.

Reset sits down with the journalists behind this investigation and an expert on illegal antiquities for a deeper look at how museums are dealing with stolen artifacts.

GUESTS: Elyssa Cherney, Crain’s Chicago Business reporter

Steve Mills, deputy Midwest editor for ProPublica

Erin Thompson, art crime professor at the City University of New York