Throughout art history disputes have arisen over the works of artists after they have died: who owns what works, who inherits, who owns copyright and related merchandising rights, and whether artists' wishes must be respected when they ask for their works to be kept together as a collection. These pieces examine some celebrated wrangles that have arisen over the decades: the Rothko Estate (1976); the legacy of Charles Tunnicliffe, the ornithological artist (1984); the Warhol Foundation (1994); the Dali Estate (2001); and Bacon's legacy (2002).

Consistent themes/issues emerge for artists who care what will happen to their works after death. For example, making a will and taking independent expert advice before doing so; choosing executors - especially ones who have nothing to gain from the Estate; ensuring that unsold works and personal archive material are carefully catalogued well before death; and taking particular care to decide on the possible merchandising of their images during the 70 years of their copyright remaining after their death.