Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Guelph Treasure – Alan Philipp, Gerald G. Stiebel and Jed R. Leiber v. Germany and Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-guelph-treasure-2013-alan-philipp-gerald-g-stiebel-and-jed-r-leiber-v-germany-and-prussian-cultural-heritage-foundation-1
A collection of medieval ecclesiastical art is claimed by the heirs of three Jewish dealers, who allege that the collection was sold under duress during the Nazi era. After an unsuccessful conciliation in front of Germany’s Advisory Commission, the claim is being litigated before the courts of the United States. On 3 February 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favour of Germany on the interpretation of the expropriation exception in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOngoing dispute/litige en coursGermany/AllemagneConciliationArtwork/oeuvre d’artState immunity/immunité des EtatsExpropriationInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelGerald G. StiebelJudicial claim/action en justiceAlan PhilippJed R. LeiberJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsPrussian Cultural Heritage FoundationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociation2021/06/28 10:20:00 GMT+1DocumentGravures Dja Dja Wurrung – Musée de Melbourne c. Dja Dja Wurrung
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/gravures-dja-dja-wurrung-2013-musee-de-melbourne-c-dja-dja-wurrung
Au printemps 2004, le Musée de Melbourne organise une exposition d’œuvres sur écorces aborigènes. Parmi les biens présentés figurent deux anciennes gravures sur écorces prêtées par le British Museum et les Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. La tribu australienne Dja Dja Wurrung bloque le retour de ces objets en Angleterre. Après des négociations et une médiation infructueuses avec les représentants Dja Dja Wurrung, le Musée de Melbourne intente une action judiciaire.No publisherMediation/médiationDja Dja WurrungDeaccessionJudicial claim/action en justiceRequest denied/rejet de la demandeBreach of contract/violation du contratPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Judicial decision/décision judiciaireOwnership/propriétéMelbourne Museum/Musée de MelbourneNegotiation/négociationColonialism/colonialisme2017/11/16 12:50:00 GMT+1DocumentFresques de Casenoves – Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de la Ville de Genève et la France
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/fresques-de-casenoves-2013-musee-d2019art-et-d2019histoire-de-la-ville-de-geneve-et-ministere-de-la-culture-francais
Le 1er juillet 1997, le Musée d’art et d’histoire de la Ville de Genève et l'Etat français, representé par son Ministère de la culture, ont signé un accord portant sur le prêt de deux fragments des fresques de Casenoves (Christ en Majesté et Adoration des Mages). Le 19 mars 2003, le Conseil administratif de la Ville de Genève a décidé de transformer ce prêt en donation.
No publisherOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociationDonationJudicial claim/action en justiceArtwork/oeuvre d’artLoan/prêtPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Abegg Foundation/Fondation AbeggSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelFranceJudicial decision/décision judiciaireMusée d'Art et d'Histoire de GenèveJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionInalienability/inaliénabilité2013/02/20 11:55:00 GMT+1DocumentFour Old Master Drawings – Feldmann Heirs and the British Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-4-old-master-drawings-2013-feldmann-heirs-and-the-british-museum
In May of 2002, the British Museum was confronted with a restitution claim by the heirs of the Second World War victim, Arthur Feldmann, regarding four Old Master drawings. The Commission of Looted Art Europe, who represented the claimant, and the British Museum, jointly sought guidance from the Spoliation Advisory Panel. After deferral of the Attorney General, the High Court held that under the British Museum Act the Museum could not restitute an object in order to meet a moral obligation without an Act of Parliament. Eventually, the British Museum followed the recommendation of the Spoliation Advisory Panel and compensated the family with an ex gratia payment.No publisherDeaccessionArtwork/oeuvre d’artInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelEx gratia payment/versement à titre gracieuxJudicial claim/action en justiceArthur FeldmannNegotiation/négociationSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelBritish Museum2012/11/12 15:45:00 GMT+1DocumentFive Italian Paintings – Gentili di Giuseppe Heirs v. Musée du Louvre and France
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/five-italian-paintings-2013-gentili-di-giuseppe-heirs-v-musee-du-louvre-and-france
In 1998, the heirs of the renowned Jewish art collector Federico Gentili di Giuseppe sued the Louvre Museum seeking the restitution of five paintings. These paintings, which were part of Federico Gentili di Giuseppe’s collection, were bought at auction by Herman Göring in 1941 and transferred to the Musée du Louvre at the end of the Second World War. No publisherUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionFederico Gentili di GiuseppeNegotiation/négociationStatute of limitation/prescriptionArtwork/oeuvre d’artMusée du LouvreOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceFranceNazi looted art/spoliations naziesJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2013/02/03 11:20:00 GMT+1DocumentEtruscan Black-Figured Kalpis – Italy and Toledo Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/etruscan-black-figured-kalpis-2013-italy-and-toledo-museum-of-art
After an extensive investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations, the Toledo Museum of Art returned in 2013 an Etruscan black-figure kalpis to Italy. The kalpis was found to be smuggled out of Italy after an illegal excavation prior to 1981, then sold to the Toledo Museum of Art in 1982 by Gianfranco and Ursula Becchina, who had earlier purchased it from the art smuggler Giacomo Medici. No publisherU.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementUnited States/États-UnisItaly/ItalieNegotiation/négociationCriminal offence/infraction pénaleToledo Museum of ArtGianfranco and Ursula BecchinaUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteIllicit importation/importation illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Archaeological object/objet archéologique2017/10/10 11:40:00 GMT+1DocumentElmali Hoard – Turkey and OKS Partners
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/elmali-hoard-2013-turkey-and-oks-partners
In 1999, OKS Partners, a consortium comprised of, among others, the American businessman William Koch, returned to Turkey nearly 1700 ancient coins. The coins were part of the Elmali Hoard, a precious and rare collection of ancient coins, also called the “Hoard of the Century,” that had been illegally excavated and smuggled out of Turkey in 1984. No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNegotiation/négociationArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueStatute of limitation/prescriptionOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceOKS PartnersPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit excavation/fouille illiciteTurkey/Turquie2013/10/18 10:55:00 GMT+1DocumentEgyptian Archaeological Objects – United States v. Frederick Schultz
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/egyptian-archaeological-objects-2013-us-v-schultz
On 16 July 2001, Frederick Schultz, a New York antiquities dealer, was indicted on one count of conspiring to receive stolen Egyptian antiquities in violation of the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA). Under the NSPA, it is a crime to deal in property that has been “stolen, unlawfully converted or taken, knowing the same to be stolen”.No publisherPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Frederick SchultzEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerCriminal offence/infraction pénaleUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteIllicit importation/importation illiciteUnited States/États-UnisJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueEgypt/Egypte2013/02/15 18:10:00 GMT+1DocumentDie Grosse Seestrasse in Wannsee – X. v. Switzerland
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/die-grosse-seestrasse-in-wannsee-2013-x-v-switzerland
The painting “Die Grosse Seestrasse in Wannsee” was bought in 1948 by François de Diesbach. After de Diesbach’s death, the painting was forgotten within the Swiss embassy. When the Swiss embassy decided to donate the painting to the Liebermann Villa, a distant relative of de Diesbach seized a Swiss court and claimed ownership over the painting. The High Court of the Canton of Bern ultimately held that the Swiss Confederation had acquired ownership over the painting.No publisherOwnership/propriétéLoan/prêtJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationSwitzerland/SuisseLiebermann VillaNazi looted art/spoliations naziesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970DonationChoice of law/droit applicableState immunity/immunité des EtatsProcedural issue/limites procéduralesConditional restitution/restitution sous condition2019/10/01 15:30:00 GMT+1DocumentDeux tableaux de Toulouse-Lautrec – Koerfer c. Goldschmidt
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/deux-tableaux-de-toulouse-lautrec-2013-koerfer-c-goldschmidt-1
En 1940, Jakob Goldschmidt, banquier juif et grand collectionneur d’art se voit retirer la nationalité allemande par le régime nazi qui s’approprie, par la suite, son patrimoine. Deux de ses tableaux du peintre Toulouse-Lautrec sont alors vendus aux enchères publiques et acquises par Jakob Koerfer qui en fait cadeau à sa femme, résidant en Suisse. Au décès de cette dernière, les tableaux sont dévolus aux enfants du couple. En 1956, Alfred Erwin Goldschmidt ouvre contre Jakob Koerfer et ses enfants une action en restitution des tableaux litigieux. Sa demande est rejetée en dernière instance par le Tribunal fédéral selon lequel les héritiers Koerfer sont, d’après le droit suisse, valablement devenus propriétaires des tableaux litigieux.
No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artSwitzerland/SuisseGermany/AllemagneJakob KoerferJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesJakob GoldschmidChoice of law/droit applicableNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriété2022/01/25 19:30:59 GMT+1DocumentDeux cavaliers sur la plage – Héritiers Friedmann, Kunstmuseum de Berne, République fédérale d’Allemagne et Etat libre de Bavière
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/deux-cavaliers-sur-la-plage-2013-heritiers-friedmann-kunstmuseum-de-berne-republique-federale-d2019allemagne-et-etat-libre-de-baviere
En 1942, le marchand d’art Hildebrand Gurlitt reçoit le tableau Deux cavaliers sur la plage de Max Liebermann qui a été spolié au collectionneur juif David Friedmann. Il meurt en 1956 et son fils Cornelius hérite de sa riche collection d’œuvres. La collection est découverte par hasard en 2012 et conservée secrètement par les autorités allemandes afin de déterminer l’origine des objets. No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelGermany/AllemagneState immunity/immunité des EtatsEtat libre de BavièreOwnership/propriétéCornelius GurlittBreach of contract/violation du contratArtwork/oeuvre d’artUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionDavid TorenJudicial claim/action en justiceNazi looted art/spoliations naziesLegacy/legsDavid FriedmannKunstmuseum de Berne2017/09/25 11:55:00 GMT+1DocumentCollection japonaise de Netsuke – Winkworth c. Christie’s
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/collection-japonaise-de-netsuke-2013winkworth-c-christie2019s
Une collection de Netsuke est dérobée en Angleterre, vendue à un collectionneur de bonne foi en Italie et finalement proposée aux enchères en Angleterre. William Winkworth, le propriétaire originaire, reconnaît les objets sur le catalogue de la maison de vente aux enchères Christie’s et agit en justice à Londres afin de voir reconnaître sa propriété sur les biens.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeJudicial decision/décision judiciaireCriminal offence/infraction pénaleOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artItaly/ItalieJudicial claim/action en justicePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970William WinkworthChoice of law/droit applicableChristie’sRoyaume-Uni/United Kingdom2014/02/03 18:35:00 GMT+1DocumentChrist Carrying the Cross Dragged by a Rascal – Gentili di Giuseppe Heirs v. Italy
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/christ-carrying-the-cross-dragged-by-a-rascal-2013-united-states-v-painting
In 1941, the painting “Christ Carrying the Cross Dragged by a Rascal” by Girolamo Romanino was confiscated by Nazi-controlled French authorities from Federico Gentili di Giuseppe – an Italian of Jewish descent living in Paris – and then sold at auction.
No publisherBrera Art GalleryOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionItaly/ItalieDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueNazi looted art/spoliations naziesFederico Gentili di GiuseppeState immunity/immunité des EtatsExpropriationUnited States/États-UnisAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hoc2015/08/11 14:25:00 GMT+1DocumentChagall Gouache – Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Lubell
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-chagall-gouache-2013-solomon-r-guggenheim-foundation-and-lubell
In 1993, the Guggenheim Foundation, Mrs. Rachel Lubell, and other interested parties reached a settlement regarding a Marc Chagall painting that had been stolen from the Museum and purchased by Mrs. Lubell almost thirty years prior. Though a trial court had originally held the Guggenheim’s suit seeking recovery was time-barred, the Appellate Division reversed the lower court’s decision and clarified New York’s “demand and refusal” rule. On remand, the parties settled just one day after the new trial began.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelRepurchase/rachatRachel and Jules LubellUnited States/États-UnisNegotiation/négociationThe Solomon R. Guggenheim FoundationStatute of limitation/prescriptionDue diligencePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Ownership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceArtwork/oeuvre d’artFinancial compensation/indemnisationJudicial decision/décision judiciaireTort /acte illiciteProcedural issue/limites procédurales2013/08/27 15:25:00 GMT+1DocumentCase Cranach Diptych – Goudstikker Heirs and Norton Simon Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-cranach-diptych-2013-goudstikker-heirs-and-norton-simon-museum-1
The Cranach diptych “Adam and Eve” was presumably part of Jacques Goudstikker’s collection looted by the Nazis during the Second World War. For several years, Goudstikker’s sole heir, Marei von Saher, and the Norton Simon Museum in California have led unsuccessful negotiations regarding the heir’s restitution claim. Notwithstanding the support received by the State of California and by several organizations, Marei von Saher’s claims in replevin were dismissed by both the District Court for the Central District of California and by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Supreme Court of the United States denied the heir’s petition for writ of certiorari.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artNorton Simon FoundationAct of StateJudicial claim/action en justiceStatute of limitation/prescriptionNegotiation/négociationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéJacques Goudstikker2021/08/17 10:20:00 GMT+1Document