Ryan O’Neal and the University of Texas are engaged in a lawsuit over a painting of Farrah Fawcett created by Andy Warhol which could be worth $30 million. Farrah’s will left her entire art collection, including another portrait of her by Warhol, to the University of Texas. Mr. O’Neal claims that the painting was given to him by Warhol and that he had taken it to Farrah’s house in 1998 after they broke up because his then girlfriend did not like it in the bedroom.
Several points:
1. It is generally in poor taste to hang a portrait of an ex in the bedroom while involved with someone else. Kudos to Mr. O’Neal for removing it.
2. When taking a piece of art to an ex, one might want to reclaim it in the 11 intervening years instead of waiting until the ex dies.
3. Apparently the University of Texas is not satisfied with a $7.2 billion endowment and is willing to fight for more.