Foto: Brian Smith
The decision was handed down by New York Supreme Court Justice Joel Cohen, recognizing that the artwork belonged to British Jewish antiques dealer Oskar Stettiner. According to his findings, the painting was illegally seized during World War II, and the owner never voluntarily gave it up.
The proceedings lasted more than a decade, writes Artlyst. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 by Stettiner’s grandson Philip Maestracci with the support of Mondex, a company engaged in the return of lost cultural property. Representatives of the plaintiff said that the decision was an important victory after long attempts to restore historical justice.
Prior to the verdict, the painting was in the possession of the International Art Center – a structure associated with the famous family of art dealers Nahmad. The painting was purchased by them at an auction in 1996. The defense argued that there was no convincing evidence that it was the same work that belonged to Stettiner. However, the court found these arguments untenable, pointing to the lack of alternative proof of ownership.
The story of the painting is typical of many works of art looted during the Nazi occupation. Stettiner left Paris in 1939, leaving part of the collection in his gallery. The property was subsequently confiscated and sold. After the war, a French court recognized his right to the painting, but by then its whereabouts were already unknown.
The case was further complicated by the Panama Papers disclosed in 2016, which indicated the Nahmad family’s connection to the offshore company that owned the work. This led to new investigations and the seizure of the painting by the Swiss authorities.
Despite the fact that the court did not see the personal fault of the current owners in the purchase, it did not affect the final decision. The canvas, which is estimated to be worth more than 25 million dollars, must be returned to the heirs of the rightful owner.
