The Tamesis
Two leading art collectors, Steve Tisch and Jean Pigozzi, are named in the latest batch of documents released by the Justice Department as part of the Epstein Dossier Transparency Act. Additions have been made to the Department of Justice’s repository of documents over the past few days, with the latest update occurring on Saturday, January 31st.
The documents, mostly in the form of emails sent around 2013, appear to show convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein connecting Tisch, a film producer and New York Giants co-owner, with multiple women. The news was first reported in sporty.
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In an April 2013 email chain with the subject line “Ukrainian Girl,” Tish asked Epstein if he knew any information about his “assistant’s friend” with whom he had recently had lunch. Epstein responded that he “would have all the information,” and Tisch later said, “Is it the professionals or the civilians?” Epstein responded at one point: “Civilians, but Russians, rarely tell the whole truth, but it’s funny.”
In another set of emails from May 1, 2013, Tisch and Epstein corresponded about a meeting that evening. At one point, Tisch wrote, “Am I going to get in ‘trouble?'” Epstein responded, “Can I invite the Russians?” [redacted] Can we meet if you want? Tisch wrote back: “Is she interesting?” ” Epstein wrote later in the chain, “She said she would be free in 1030 and you could see her and you could come over first. “
In a series of emails between May 15 and 16, 2013, Tisch asked a woman, whose name has been withheld, if she would be interested in meeting in Boston. Tisch did not receive a reply and forwarded the letter to Epstein, who responded: “She is traveling. Not sure when she will return to Florida. She is a microbiology major and still in college, so I doubt she will be able to travel within the week, but we will see. You should also make it clear that you will arrange airfare for her.” Tisch later wrote back, “Never heard back from her/Oh well…”
In a series of emails in 2017, Tish wrote to Epstein asking how he was doing and wishing Epstein “a great summer.” Epstein responded, “Come visit.” Other documents state that Tish invited Epstein to Giants games and other mealtime meetings.
In a statement issued to sporty Speaking about his relationship with Epstein, Tish said: “We had a brief relationship, we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments. I did not accept any of his invitations and have never been to his island. As we all know now, he is a horrible person and I deeply regret being associated with him.”
Tisch is also a major collector of contemporary art and has appeared in art newsList of the top 200 collectors from 2016 to 2024. A 2016 new york times The article revealed that he created a 4,5000-square-foot private museum in the backyard of his Los Angeles home to house his collection. Michael Govan, director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, of which Tish serves as a trustee, planned the original hanging. In 2011, he also donated funds to help LACMA acquire Christian Marclay’s 24-hour video work clock (2010).
Pigozzi’s ties to Epstein are now revealed through a 2009 email circulated online between Epstein and publicist Peggy Siegel, in which Siegel wrote, “Just left Ghislaine’s townhouse…after a movie party. Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos were also there…Jean Pigozzi, director Mira Nair…etc.”
Correspondence between Epstein and Pigozzi also occurred in 2013 and included emails in which Pigozzi asked Epstein if he planned to visit southern France that summer, as well as emails discussing the appearance of different women. In the latter email, Pigozzi wrote, “I like red hair. Looks fun and smart.” Epstein replied, “German Jew.” Pigozzi then replied, “I like her/no breasts. Small question/Does Leon like her?” (Pigozzi appears to be referring to art collector Leon Black, whose relationship with Epstein has been well-documented.)
In another email chain, Pigozzi responded to an email from Epstein in which he sent an image (which is not reproduced in the file): “Looking great/can’t see any girls???”
The documents also include a 2010 email chain between Pigozzi and “Gmax,” likely Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021. “Gmax” asked Pigozzi whether he plans to sell his properties in Panama and France, adding “if so, the price. There are potential interested parties”; Pigozzi asked for a phone call before writing, saying that the French property covers 22.5 acres and “must exceed 300 million euros”, while for the Panama property, his asking price will be “more than 150 million US dollars for just 270 acres of the island.”
Pigozzi told on the phone art news He did not recall any correspondence between him and Epstein regarding the “redhead.” Regarding the prices of his properties in Panama and France, he said he had no interest in selling at the time, adding “I gave him some ridiculous prices.”
Speaking about his relationship with Epstein, Pigozzi said: “I never had anything to do with him or the girls. Zero. Nothing. I regret getting to know him and Ghislaine as well.”
pigozzi told art news He finds his work in the art world more interesting than “these silly emails. I don’t find it that fascinating.” Pigozzi is a major collector of African art, specializing in photography from the continent. He first started collecting in 1989 after seeing the influential “Magicians de la Terre” exhibition at the Center Pompidou.
In the decades since, he has amassed thousands of works by more than 160 artists from 22 sub-Saharan African countries, according to the collection’s website. The collection is currently located in Geneva but has no permanent exhibition space, but he told art news He is currently building a space in Cannes.
In 2019, Pigozzi donated 45 works of African contemporary art to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The gift includes works by Seydou Keïta, Romuald Hazoumè, Bodys Isek Kingelez, Moké, Chéri Samba, Ambroise Ngaimoko/Studio 3Z and Frédéric Bruly Bouabré. At the time, MoMA called the donation “transformative” because it would establish the museum as “a unique institutional leader in contemporary African art.”
Pigozzi’s collection includes dozens of Keita’s photographs, many of which are currently on display at the Brooklyn Museum in a survey of the late photographer’s work. The exhibition’s acknowledgments include a special acknowledgment of Jean Pigozzi’s collection of African art.
