Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Deux 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+1PageCollection 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+1PageChrist 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+1PageChagall 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+1PageCase 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+1PageCanon Tables – Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and J. Paul Getty Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/canon-tables-2013-western-prelacy-of-the-armenian-apostolic-church-of-america-and-j-paul-getty-museum
The Canon Tables of the Zeyt’un Gospels were illegally separated from the manuscript sometime between 1915-1923. Having discovered that the Tables had been stolen and were held at the J. Paul Getty Museum in California, the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church engaged in a legal battle with the Getty regarding the restitution of the Tables. After five years, the two sides reached a settlement in 2015.No publisherEx gratia payment/versement à titre gracieuxSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueMediation/médiationArtwork/oeuvre d’artPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Ownership/propriétéDonationJ. Paul Getty MuseumJudicial claim/action en justiceWestern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of AmericaStatute of limitation/prescription2016/10/14 11:55:00 GMT+1PageBuste d’un jeune garçon – Héritiers Gentili di Giuseppe et Art Institute de Chicago
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/buste-d2019un-jeune-garcon-2013-heritiers-gentili-di-giuseppe-et-art-institute-de-chicago
En 1999, les héritiers de l’important collectionneur d’art de confession juive Federico Gentili di Giuseppe ont contacté l’Art Institute de Chicago afin d’obtenir la restitution d’un buste de Francesco Mochi (« Buste d’un jeune garçon »). Ce buste avait été vendu en France lors d’une vente par la suite annulée par les juges français car constitutive de spoliation.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArtwork/oeuvre d’artSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueDue diligenceJudicial claim/action en justiceRepurchase/rachatDonationStatute of limitation/prescriptionNegotiation/négociationFederico Gentili di GiuseppeNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéArt Institute de Chicago2014/03/07 16:30:00 GMT+1PageBanksy Mural – Bioresource, Inc. and 555 Nonprofit Studio/Gallery
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/banksy-mural-2013-bioresource-inc-and-555-nonprofit-studio-gallery
Artists from the 555 Nonprofit Studio/Gallery removed an endangered mural painting by the graffiti artist Banksy from a derelict site in Detroit. The owner of the site, Bioresource, Inc. subsequently filed suit with the Wayne County Circuit Court requesting the wall art’s restitution. The parties finally settled their dispute as the Company agreed to donate the mural to the Gallery, who paid the Company a symbolic amount.No publisherArtwork/oeuvre d’artDonationJudicial claim/action en justice555 Nonprofit Studio/GallerySettlement agreement/accord transactionnelSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueBioresource, Inc.Ownership/propriétéNegotiation/négociation2013/08/08 14:30:00 GMT+1PageAuschwitz Suitcase – Pierre Lévi Heirs and Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Oswiecim and Shoah Memorial Museum Paris
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/auschwitz-suitcase-2013-pierre-levi-heirs-and-auschwitz-birkenau-state-museum-oswiecim-and-shoah-memorial-museum-paris
After an initial unsuccessful attempt to negotiate the dispute regarding a suitcase between the heirs of the Holocaust victim Pierre Lévi and the Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum in Oswiecim, the heirs decided to file a restitution claim against the Museum. The parties eventually settled with the help of the Shoah Memorial Museum in Paris and agreed to a long-term loan of the suitcase at the Shoah Memorial Museum.No publisherNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationLoan/prêtSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelAuschwitz-Birkenau State Museum OswiecimPierre LéviShoah Memorial Museum Paris2013/02/03 11:50:00 GMT+1PageAncient Coins – Ancient Coin Collectors Guild v. United States
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-ancient-coins-2013-ancient-coin-collectors-guild-v-united-states
In an attempt to challenge import regulations in force in the United States (US), the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG) imported into the US 23 ancient coins, which were seized by customs officials. The case was litigated from 2007 to 2019, with courts consistently deciding in favour of the US Government and the import restrictions remaining in place.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceUnited States/États-UnisArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueIllicit importation/importation illiciteAncient Coin Collectors GuildIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702019/10/14 09:40:00 GMT+1PageAidonia Treasure – Greece and Ward Gallery
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/aidonia-treasure-2013-greece-and-ward-gallery
A collection of golden Mycenaean jewellery (the Aidonia Treasure) was acquired by the Ward Gallery of New York in early 1993. Before proceeding with the purchase the Gallery made enquiries in various Mediterranean States, including Greece, to find out whether the treasure was stolen. Greece responded in the negative, but it later sued the Gallery seeking restitution.No publisherOwnership/propriétéDonationWard GalleryJudicial claim/action en justiceDue diligenceNegotiation/négociationSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionGreece/Grèce2013/02/08 16:50:00 GMT+1Page3000 Archeological Objects – China and Two British Dealers
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/3000-archeological-objects-2013-china-and-two-british-dealers
On 10 February 1998, the Chinese government and two British dealers signed an out-of-court agreement that resolved the question of ownership of over 3000 archaeological objects. Most probably these were transferred to the United Kingdom through illegal excavation and trafficking.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteNegotiation/négociationJudicial claim/action en justiceBritish Dealers/marchands d'art anglaisArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionChina/ChineIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702017/01/16 11:10:00 GMT+1Page200 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+1Page89 Moche Archaeological Objects – Peru v. Johnson
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/89-moche-artifacts-2013-peru-v-johnson
After the discovery of the Moche site of Sipán (Peru) in the mid-eighties, many archaeological objects were looted and smuggled out of the country. In 1987, a smuggler who had been involved in the exportation of these objects to the United States contacted United States Customs agents and led to the eventual seizure of 89 Moche artifacts from Benjamin Johnson, a private collector. The government of Peru sued to retrieve the artifacts from Johnson. Peru’s claim was unsuccessful and the 89 archaeological objects remained in Johnson’s possession.No publisherOwnership/propriétéBenjamin JohnsonDonationJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIllicit importation/importation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciairePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteAntiquity/antiquitésIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPeru/Pérou2016/08/03 16:35:00 GMT+1Page25 Objets d’art précolombien – Lempertz c. Etat de Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/25-objets-d2019art-precolombien-2013-lempertz-c-etat-de-rhenanie-du-nord-westphalie
La maison de vente aux enchères Lempertz met en vente des objets d’art précolombien. A la demande du Mexique, qui estime que 25 de ces biens appartiennent à son patrimoine culturel, l’Etat de Rhénanie-du-Nord Westphalie rend une ordonnance de saisie conservatoire en vue du retour de 25 biens au Mexique. Saisis par Lempertz, les tribunaux allemands jugent que faute d’effet rétroactif de la Convention UNESCO de 1970 et de sa loi allemande d’application, les conditions pour un retour ne sont pas réunies. Les objets sont transférés à leurs acquéreurs.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireEtat de Rhénanie-du-Nord-WestphalieIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justicePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970LempertzIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteRequest denied/rejet de la demande2018/05/28 10:35:00 GMT+1Page