Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Quedlinburg Treasures – Quedlinburg Church and Meador Heirs
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/quedlinburg-treasures-2013-quedlinburg-church-and-meador-heirs
After the withdrawal of US troops from the medieval town of Quedlinburg in Nazi Germany, the “Quedlinburg Treasures” were found to be missing. This theft was perpetrated by US soldier Joe T. Meador. After his death, the manuscripts passed on to his brother and sister who attempted to sell them. Some manuscripts were purchased by West German entities, whereas the Church of Quedlinburg purchased the rest of the treasures pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Meador Heirs.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireCriminal offence/infraction pénaleJoe T. MeadorArtwork/oeuvre d’artGermany/AllemagneConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionJudicial claim/action en justiceSpoils of war/butins de guerreStatute of limitation/prescriptionNegotiation/négociationUnited States/États-UnisOwnership/propriétéSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelQuedlinburg Church2016/05/18 10:40:00 GMT+1DocumentFive Schiele Watercolors – Leopold Museum and Eva Zirkl
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/five-schiele-watercolors-leopold-museum-and-eva-zirkl
Karl Mayländer, a Jewish businessman and art collector, was deported from Austria to occupied Poland and later killed in the Holocaust. Before leaving, he left his art collection to his partner who later sold it. Five Schiele watercolors from his collection came into the possession of the Leopold Museum. Negotiations between the museum and Eva Zirkl, Mayländer’s heir, concluded with the return of two of the five watercolors to Zirkl.No publisherArtwork/oeuvre d’artSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelNegotiation/négociationAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocLeopold MuseumEva ZirklUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéKarl MayländerNazi looted art/spoliations naziesProcedural issue/limites procédurales2016/07/27 13:55:00 GMT+1DocumentBiccherna Panel – Anonymous Heirs and British Library
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/biccherna-panel-2013-anonymous-heirs-and-british-library
In 2013, the British Library was contacted by the heirs of A.S. Drey, a Munich firm whose assets were sold off by Nazis in 1936. The heirs requested the return of the “Biccherna Panel” and lodged a claim with the UK Spoliation Advisory Panel, which found in favour of the claimants. However, following negotiations, the heirs accepted compensation in lieu of return, allowing the Biccherna Panel to remain in the British Library.No publisherNazi looted art/spoliations naziesNegotiation/négociationDeaccessionFinancial compensation/indemnisationArtwork/oeuvre d’artSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelProcedural issue/limites procéduralesBritish LibraryOwnership/propriétéUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionConciliationUnited Kingdom/Royaume-UniSpoliation Advisory Panel (UK)2019/08/12 10:50:00 GMT+1DocumentWarehouse Fire – Gillian Ayres et al. and Momart
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/warehouse-fire-2013-gillian-ayres-et-al-and-momart
One of the most significant cases in Great Britain in the recent years concerns the Momart Warehouse Fire, where a warehouse owned by Momart burned down in 2004 causing the destruction of a great amount of artworks by renowned British artists (the Brit Art movement). Following the filing of a class action, Momart decided to mediate the case and to settle by a secret payout.No publisherGillian Ayres et al.Class action/plainte collectiveArtwork/oeuvre d’artBreach of contract/violation du contratMomartMediation/médiationFinancial compensation/indemnisationSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/04/04 14:00:00 GMT+1Document200 Paintings – Goudstikker Heirs and the Netherlands
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/200-paintings-2013-goudstikker-heirs-and-the-netherlands
The art collection of Jacques Goudstikker was acquired by the Nazi commander Hermann Göring under suspicious circumstances during the Second World War. A large part of the collection was recovered by the Allied Forces after the war and it was subsequently returned to the Netherlands where it was labelled “Dutch national property”. The first part of these items was bought back by Goudstikker’s wife under a settlement agreement of 1952. The Dutch Government returned the second part – 200 paintings – to Marei Von Saher (the only surviving heir of Jacques Goudstikker) in 2006 based on a recommendation of the Dutch Restitution Committee.No publisherNazi looted art/spoliations naziesNegotiation/négociationNetherlands/Pays-BasJudicial claim/action en justiceRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionJacques GoudstikkerOwnership/propriétéInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelConciliationRepurchase/rachat2013/04/08 14:25:00 GMT+1DocumentChasuble – Paraguay et Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel et François Machon
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/chasuble-2013-paraguay-et-musee-d2019ethnographie-de-neuchatel-et-francois-machon
En 1889, le Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel (MEN) reçoit en don une chasuble probablement spoliée au Paraguay pendant la guerre de la Triple Alliance (1864-1870). En 1926, le médecin neuchâtelois François Machon, alors Consul du Paraguay à Lausanne, propose au MEN le retour de la chasuble en échange du don de sa collection ethnographique, ce que le MEN accepte.No publisherNegotiation/négociationDonationPrivate person/personne privéeSpoils of war/butins de guerreBreach of contract/violation du contratSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelMusée d’ethnographie de NeuchâtelAntiquity/antiquitésAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocIndigenous object/objet autochtoneDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueParaguay2013/04/08 16:30:00 GMT+1DocumentTête du roi Badu Bonsu II – Ghana et Pays-Bas
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/tete-du-roi-badu-bonsu-ii-2013-ghana-et-pays-bas
En 1838, Badu Bonsu II, roi des Ahanta du Ghana, est condamné à mort par les autorités coloniales néerlandaises. Il sera pendu et décapité. Sa tête sera transportée aux Pays-Bas. Par la suite, un accord de restitution de cette tête sera signé à La Haye entre les gouvernements néerlandais et ghanéen ainsi qu’un représentant de la tribu Ahanta.No publisherDeaccessionGhanaSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsNetherlands/Pays-BasHuman remains/restes humainsDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueColonialism/colonialismeAhanta tribe/tribu AhantaNegotiation/négociationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéInalienability/inaliénabilité2017/03/20 14:35:00 GMT+1DocumentG’psgolox Totem Pole – Haisla and Sweden and the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/g2019psgolox-totem-pole-2013-haisla-and-sweden-and-museum-of-ethnography
In 1927, a totem pole belonging to the Haisla tribe in Canada was stolen and brought to the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography. In 1991, the tribe discovered the location of their totem pole, known as the G’psgolox totem pole, and requested that it be returned. After fifteen years of negotiations, the G’psgolox totem pole was formally returned to the tribe in 2006. No publisherIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCopy/copieNegotiation/négociationHaislaPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Criminal offence/infraction pénaleSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelStockholm Museum of EthnographyAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocSweden/Suède2017/10/10 14:45:00 GMT+1DocumentBuste de Diane – Pologne et Auktionshaus im Kinsky
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/buste-de-diane-2013-pologne-et-auktionshaus-im-kinsky
En juin 2015, le Ministère de la culture polonais apprend qu’un buste de Diane, spolié durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et disparu depuis, va prochainement être vendu à Vienne par la maison de vente Auktionshaus im Kinsky. Le Ministère contacte alors la société Art Recovery International. Avec l’aide de cette dernière et de l’Ambassadeur ainsi que du Consul général de Pologne en Autriche, le buste est restitué à la Pologne le 18 décembre 2015.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArt Recovery InternationalAuktionshaus im KinskyAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocMediation/médiationDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artNazi looted art/spoliations naziesDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePoland/Pologne2017/12/11 17:35:00 GMT+1DocumentFoxes – Grawi Heirs v. City of Düsseldorf
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/foxes-2013-grawi-heirs-v-city-of-dusseldorf-1
Kurt Grawi, a Jewish businessman, was persecuted by the Nazi regime. Before fleeing Germany, he managed to transport the painting "Foxes" to the USA, where he sold it in 1940 to secure a living for himself and his family in exile. In view of the close connection between the persecution and the sale of the painting, the German Advisory Commission recommended the restitution of the "Foxes" to the Grawi heirs. The painting was returned in January 2022.No publisherArtwork/oeuvre d’artKurt GrawiInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelCity of DüsseldorfMediation/médiationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNegotiation/négociationGrawi HeirsNazi looted art/spoliations naziesSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2023/04/12 16:10:00 GMT+1DocumentBlumengarten – Deutsch Heirs and Moderna Museet Stockholm
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/blumengarten-2013-deutsch-heirs-and-moderna-museet-stockholm
The heirs of Holocaust victims Otto Nathan Deutsch made several requests to the Moderna Museet Stockholm for the restitution of the painting “Blumengarten (Utenwarf)” (1917) by Emil NoldeNo publisherNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artLoan/prêtSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelModerna Museet StockholmAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocSale/venteOtto Nathan DeutschInalienability/inaliénabilité2013/01/29 16:30:00 GMT+1DocumentWasco Sally Bag – American dealer and Paul Cary and the Yakama Nation Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/wasco-sally-bag-2013-american-dealer-and-paul-cary-and-the-yakama-nation-museum
In 2007, Paul Cary acquired a Wasco Sally bag, an object from the Native American group, the Yakama Nation, from an American dealer. When Paul Cary learned that the bag was stolen from the Yakama Nation Museum, he returned it to the dealer and informed the museum. Subsequent negotiations initiated between the museum and the dealer would have remained unfruitful, if it was not for the involvement of Paul Cary. He offered the dealer financial compensation for half of his losses should he return the bag to the museum. Moreover, he would attempt to obtain the financing of the second half from the Yakama tribe. The parties agreed.No publisherIndigenous object/objet autochtoneAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocPrivate person/personne privéeYakama Nation MuseumConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionPaul CaryFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/01/31 13:50:00 GMT+1DocumentTête égyptienne fragmentaire – Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel et Service des antiquités de l’Egypte
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/tete-egyptienne-fragmentaire-2013-musee-d2019ethnographie-de-neuchatel-et-service-des-antiquites-de-l2019egypte
En 1926, l’archéologue Gustave Jéquier, collaborateur du Musée ethnographique de Neuchâtel, obtient en négociant avec le Service des antiquités d’Egypte, divers objets égyptiens précieux en échange d’une tête monumentale fragmentaire découverte et ramenée d’Egypte la même année. Cette tête est alors retournée au Musée égyptien du Caire.No publisherEgyptian Museum Cairo/Musée égyptien du CaireExchange/échangeArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueColonialism/colonialismeNegotiation/négociationIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteEgyptian Ministry of State of Antiquities/Service des antiquités de l'EgypteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelMusée d'ethnographie Neuchâtel2013/04/11 10:45:00 GMT+1Document14 Archaeological Objects – Italy and Cleveland Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/14-antiquities-2013-italy-and-cleveland-museum-of-art
On 19 November 2008, the Italian Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities and the Cleveland Museum of Art signed an agreement concerning 14 archaeological objects in the museum’s collection. This agreement provides for the return to Italy of the artworks in exchange for loans of “a similar number of works of equal aesthetic and historical significance”.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleNegotiation/négociationDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueLoan/prêtDue diligenceIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteItaly/ItalieCleveland Museum of ArtProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702013/07/11 13:35:00 GMT+1DocumentFoxes – Grawi Heirs v. City of Düsseldorf
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/foxes-2013-grawi-heirs-v-city-of-dusseldorf-1
Kurt Grawi, a Jewish businessman, was persecuted by the Nazi regime. Before fleeing Germany, he managed to transport the painting "Foxes" to the USA, where he sold it in 1940 to secure a living for himself and his family in exile. In view of the close connection between the persecution and the sale of the painting, the German Advisory Commission recommended the restitution of the "Foxes" to the Grawi heirs. The painting was returned in January 2022.No publisherArtwork/oeuvre d’artKurt GrawiInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelCity of DüsseldorfMediation/médiationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNegotiation/négociationGrawi HeirsNazi looted art/spoliations naziesSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2023/04/12 16:10:00 GMT+1Document