An eBay seller listed a giclée print of Kees van Dongen's painting "Femme Fatale" (ca. 1905), claiming it once hung above Jeffrey Epstein's desk in his Upper East Side townhouse. The listing, titled "Documented by Federal Prosecutors," sought $50,000 and reached $25,000 in bidding before eBay removed it for violating its policies. The print had previously sold at Millea Bros. Auctioneers for $275. The New York Post first reported the listing, which referenced federal documentation of Epstein's art collection.
This story matters because it highlights the persistent public fascination with Jeffrey Epstein's possessions and the morbid market for artifacts linked to infamous figures. The listing's reference to federal prosecutors and media coverage (Artnet, NY Post) underscores how Epstein's art collection—including a van Dongen painting sold at Christie's for $5.94 million—continues to generate controversy and commercial interest. The removal by eBay also raises questions about policies regarding sales of items associated with convicted criminals.