Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Die 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+1Page La Bergère – Meyer Heirs and Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/la-bergere-2013-meyer-heirs-and-fred-jones-jr-museum-of-art
Raoul Meyer’s art collection, which included Camille Pissarro’s painting “La bergère rentrant des moutons”, was looted by Nazi troops during the occupation of France in early 1940s. Decades later, Meyer’s daughter and heir, Léone Meyer, discovered the painting at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, and initiated a lawsuit in the United States seeking its return. After a three-year litigation, the two sides reached a settlement in 2016. The latter was denounced by Ms. Meyer. Eventually, the lawsuit was dropped and ownership of the painting was transferred to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelRaoul MeyerArtwork/oeuvre d’artSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueFred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of OklahomaConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionDue diligenceJudicial claim/action en justiceDonationProcedural issue/limites procéduralesCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéShared custody/co-possessionLoan/prêt2017/01/16 12:55:00 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+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+1PageBélier Malien – France, Jacques Chirac et Mali
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/belier-malien-2013-france-jacques-chirac-et-mali
En novembre 1996, le Président de la République Française Jacques Chirac reçoit en cadeau un quadrupède en terre cuite aux formes massives et stylisées. L’objet, qui provenait d’un site pillé au Mali, sera restitué sous forme de don après négociations en janvier 1998.No publisherMaliOwnership/propriétéDonationNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Symbolic gesture/geste symboliqueIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteFranceAntiquity/antiquitésIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteJacques ChiracAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatique2015/12/14 14:35:00 GMT+1PageLe Grand Pont – Weinmann Heirs and Yale University Art Gallery
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/le-grand-pont-2013-weinmann-heirs-and-yale-university-art-gallery
The painting “Le Grand Pont”, by Gustave Courbet, was owned by Josephine Weinmann and her family, but after they were forced to flee Germany from Nazi persecution, the painting was purchased by Herbert Schaefer, a Nazi militant. When Schaefer later loaned the painting to the Yale University Art Gallery, Weinmann’s heirs sued for its return. No publisherOwnership/propriétéLoan/prêtArtwork/oeuvre d’artJosephine WeinmannNegotiation/négociationYale UniversityNazi looted art/spoliations naziesMax SilberbergSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueDonationDue diligenceSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelProcedural issue/limites procédurales2015/10/27 14:45:00 GMT+1PageHopi Masks – Hopi Tribe v. Néret-Minet and Estimations & Ventes aux Enchères
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/hopi-masks-2013-hopi-tribe-v-neret-minet-and-estimations-ventes-aux-encheres
Between 2013 and 2014, dozens of Hopi’s sacred objects were sold at auctions in Paris despite strong protests and legal actions launched by the Hopi tribe. These actions were unsuccessful because French judicial authorities denied legal standing to the Hopis and considered that the sales did not violate French law.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeNéret-Minet, Tessier and SarrouIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteHopi TribeSale/venteJudicial claim/action en justiceInalienability/inaliénabilitéEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerEstimations & Ventes aux EnchèresDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueDonationPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Ownership/propriétéRepurchase/rachatProcedural issue/limites procéduralesJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2015/08/07 11:35:00 GMT+1Page30 Vigango – Denver Museum of Nature and Science et Kenya
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/30-vigango-2013-denver-museum-of-nature-and-science-et-kenya
Le 19 février 2014, le Denver Museum of Nature and Science a remis 30 vigango – statues de bois gravées à la mémoire des ancêtres des Mijikenda – au gouvernement kenyan.No publisherCriminal offence/infraction pénaleIndigenous object/objet autochtoneUnconstrained initiative/initiative spontanéeDonationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970KenyaDenver Museum of Nature and ScienceOwnership/propriété2014/04/17 09:05:00 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+1PageTwo Bronze Animal Heads – China and Pierre Bergé
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/two-bronze-animal-heads-2013-china-and-pierre-berge
In February of 2009, Christie’s offered at auction two 18th-century bronze fountainheads – a rabbit and a rat – owned by the estate of Yves Saint Laurent and his longtime-partner Pierre Bergé. Stolen from the Old Summer Palace by British and French forces during the Second Opium War in 1860, the two heads’ sale provoked controversial international debate, inspiring a Chinese national to bid upon the bronzes at auction and refuse payment. In June of 2013, François-Henri Pinault, owner of Christie’s, returned to China the fountainheads in an effort to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between France and China.No publisherAntiquity/antiquitésAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsPierre BergéSpoils of war/butins de guerreChina/ChineDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueDonationFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriété2013/08/09 10:50:00 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+1PageWaurà Indians Collection – Museum der Kulturen Basel, Penteado Coelho Heirs and Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia Universidade de São Paulo, Waurà Indians
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/waura-indians-collection-2013-museum-der-kulturen-basel-penteado-coelho-heirs-and-museu-de-arqueologia-e-etnologia-universidade-de-sao-paulo-waura-indians
Vera Penteado Coelho, a Brazilian ethnologist, bequeathed to the Museum der Kulturen Basel her collection of Waurà cultural objects. Following opposition from the Waurà Indians and the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia Universidade de São Paulo, the Basel Museum entered into negotiations to allow the collection to remain in Brazil. Eight years later, in 2008, the collection was donated to the São Paulo Museum. No publisherWaurà Indians/Indiens WauràIndigenous object/objet autochtoneLegacy/legsMuseu de Arqueologia e Etnologia Universidad de São PauloVera Penteado CoelhoMuseum der Kulturen BaselDonationNegotiation/négociationCultural cooperation/coopération culturellePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Settlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/04/16 13:55:00 GMT+1PageChasuble – 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+1PageFresques 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+1PageCollection Varenne – Héritiers Varenne et Ville de Genève
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/collection-varenne-2013-heritiers-varenne-et-ville-de-geneve
En 2008, un accord est conclu entre la Ville de Genève et les héritiers Varenne portant sur la collection « Varenne ». La Ville de Genève renonce à la donation « Varenne » initiale en échange notamment de CHF 30.000.000.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Procedural issue/limites procéduralesNegotiation/négociationArtwork/oeuvre d’artDonationHéritiers VarenneFinancial compensation/indemnisationMusée d'Art et d'Histoire de GenèveJudicial decision/décision judiciaireLegacy/legs2013/02/20 10:55:00 GMT+1Page