First Artist’s Resale Right royalty payments received from Australia following historic agreement with the UK
© The estate of Roy de Maistre
DACS has received the first resale royalties from Australia for UK-based artists and estates, following the introduction of a new Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) agreement between the UK and Australia. This marks a major milestone in international recognition of artists’ rights and underscores the importance of fair payment when artworks are resold.
Roy de Maistre estate among first to benefit
Among the first to receive payments is the estate of Roy de Maistre, a pioneering Australian modernist who played an important role in the early career of Francis Bacon. De Maistre settled in London in 1930 and became known for his distinctive style influenced by European modernism and Cubism. Although he exhibited widely and his work was acquired by major institutions such as Tate Britain, he died in poverty in London on 1 March 1968.
Although once viewed as a leading figure in the bohemian avant-garde, his career later stalled, and he faded from public attention. The royalties now received by his estate mark a long overdue recognition of his artistic legacy.
This payment reflects the lasting impact of de Maistre’s work and the growing commitment to fair recognition worldwide. It’s a positive step towards a future where all artists are supported and acknowledged, wherever their work is sold
Representative of the Roy de Maistre estate
Rooted in fairness: Origins of ARR
The Artist’s Resale Right was first introduced in France over a century ago, inspired by the case of Jean-François Millet. After his painting The Angelus sold for a large sum following his death, there was public outcry that neither his widow nor children received anything. The French law—droit de suite—was created to ensure that artists and their families could share in the growing value of their work, even after it had left their hands.
How the UK-Australia agreement works
Thanks to the recent trade agreement between the UK and Australia, since 31 March 2024, artists and estates in both countries are now eligible to receive resale royalties when their work is sold in the other country. Australian artists can now benefit from ARR payments when their work is resold in the UK, and UK artists are eligible to receive royalties from resales in Australia.
DACS, the UK’s leading collecting society for ARR, has administered the right since its UK launch in 2006. It has since paid out over £137 million to more than 6,700 artists and estates. In 2024 alone, over £9 million was distributed, with nearly £3.5 million paid out already in the first five months of 2025.
As the UK prepares to celebrate 20 years of the Artist’s Resale Right in 2026, this new chapter with Australia shows the power of international cooperation in delivering lasting change. It reinforces the principle that artists should be fairly compensated for the cultural and economic value they create, wherever in the world their work may be sold.
