Art Outlook: 18 December

Some of the stories and discussions we’ve spotted online this week

Tougher art and antiques trade regulations for Germany

Culture minister Monika Grütters has called for better regulation of the art and antiquities industries in Germany. Speaking at a conference last week, she suggested a range of possible measures, from introducing tighter restrictions on the sale and export of antiquities, to combing national collections for Nazi-looted art.

Nine stolen artworks recovered in L.A.

Over six years ago, 12 valuable works of art were stolen from a collector’s home in Encino. Six years and an undercover operation later, nine of them have been tracked down. Raul Espinoza was detained in L.A. after trying to sell the works, which are valued at some $10 million collectively, for $700,000 cash.

India and Pakistan share a pavilion in Venice

At next year’s Venice Biennale, India and Pakistan will share a pavilion to present ‘My East is Your West’ at the Palazzo Benzon. Organised by the Gujral Foundation, the exhibition will feature work by Shilpa Gupta (based in Mumbai) and Rashid Rana from Lahore.

Saatchi takes his former gallery director to court

Charles Saatchi has taken his former right-hand woman Rebecca Wilson to court, accusing her of trading on his name after a row over a sponsorship fee, reports The Telegraph.

Is there more than one Mona Lisa?

She certainly looks familiar…but is the ‘Early Mona Lisa’ really an authentic younger version of the Louvre’s leading lady? The painting, so named because of its striking resemblance to Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous work, is currently on show in Singapore. Its owners claim it was painted by none other than Leonardo himself, but others are more sceptical…