Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Two 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+1PageKennewick Man – Bonnichsen v. United States
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/kennewick-man-2013-bonnichsen-v-united-states
The skeleton of a 9,000 year old man was discovered on Federal territory near the city of Kennewick, Washington. Authorities decided to grant the request of five American Indian tribes, and transferred the remains to those tribes for burial. Several scientists, including Robson Bonnichsen, opposed the return and filed suit in the District Court of Oregon. Finding that evidence was not sufficient to link the remains to any present-day American Indian tribe, the District Court vacated the authority’s decision and ordered further examination of the remains. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the order on appeal.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeOwnership/propriétéPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Judicial claim/action en justicePrivate person/personne privéeJudicial decision/décision judiciaireUnited States/États-UnisHuman remains/restes humains2013/07/29 13:35:00 GMT+1Page14 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+1PagePortrait of a Young Peasant – Beyeler v. Italy
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/portrait-of-a-young-peasant-2013-beyeler-v-italy
In its judgment of 5 January 2000, the European Court of Human Rights held that the Italian State violated Mr. Beyeler’s right to peaceful enjoyment of his possessions while using its pre-emption right over the Van Gogh painting “Portrait of a Young Peasant”. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArtwork/oeuvre d’artItaly/ItalieExpropriationJudicial claim/action en justiceFinancial compensation/indemnisationOwnership/propriétéErnst Beyeler2013/06/13 14:05:00 GMT+1PageJardin à Auvers – Agent judiciare du Trésor c. Walter
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/jardin-a-auvers-2013-agent-judiciare-du-tresor-c-walter
Dans son arrêt du 20 février 1996, la Cour de Cassation de la France a condamné l’Etat français à indemniser le propriétaire d’un tableau dont l’exportation avait été refusée pour cause de classement d’office. No publisherAgent judiciaire du TrésorOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceFinancial compensation/indemnisationJacques WalterArtwork/oeuvre d’artFranceJudicial decision/décision judiciaireExpropriation2013/05/15 11:50:00 GMT+1PageTroy Gold – Turkey and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/troy-gold-2013-turkey-and-the-university-of-pennsylvania-museum-of-archaeology-and-anthropology
In September 2012, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology decided to loan indefinitely to Turkey a collection of antique jewelry that the Museum had acquired in 1966. The collection was probably illicitly excavated in Troy, a city in Northwest Turkey. In return, Turkey agreed to provide the Museum important loans and further collaboration in the field of archaeology.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiquePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleUniversity of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and AnthropologyOwnership/propriétéTurkey/TurquieLoan/prêt2013/05/14 11:50:00 GMT+1PageOrpheus Mosaic – Turkey and Dallas Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/orpheus-mosaic-2013-turkey-and-dallas-museum-of-art
In December 2012, the Dallas Museum of Art returned to Turkey a fragment of a Roman mosaic. In addition, the parties concluded a comprehensive art exchange program.No publisherUnconstrained initiative/initiative spontanéeSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueDallas Museum of ArtNegotiation/négociationCultural cooperation/coopération culturellePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéTurkey/Turquie2013/05/11 17:30:00 GMT+1PageMosaïques de Kanakaria – Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus et Chypre c. Goldberg
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/mosaiques-de-kanakaria-2013-autocephalous-greek-orthodox-church-of-cyprus-et-chypre-c-goldberg
Quatre mosaïques sont volées dans l’Eglise chypriote du village de Lythrankomi. Une dizaine d’années plus tard, elles sont achetées par Goldberg, une commerçante d’art américaine. L’Eglise chypriote finit par apprendre le lieu où se trouvent les mosaïques et la personne en possession de celles-ci. Peu après, l’Eglise chypriote et la République de Chypre introduisent une action en justice auprès des tribunaux de l’Etat de l’Indiana aux Etats-Unis. No publisherCyprus/ChypreOwnership/propriétéJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionStatute of limitation/prescriptionAutocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of CyprusPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Choice of law/droit applicableDue diligenceAntiquity/antiquitésGoldberg2013/04/25 19:45:00 GMT+1PageKanakaria Mosaics – Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus and Cyprus v. Goldberg
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/kanakaria-mosaics-2013-autocephalous-greek-orthodox-church-of-cyprus-and-cyprus-v-goldberg
Four mosaics were stolen from the Cypriot Church of the Panagia Kanakaria in Lythrankomi, following the Turkish military intervention in Cyprus of 1974. Afterwards, they were purchased by an American art dealer, Peg Goldberg. In 1989, the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus traced the mosaics to Indiana and filed a judicial claim to obtain restitution.No publisherOwnership/propriétéCyprus/ChypreJudicial claim/action en justiceDue diligenceStatute of limitation/prescriptionJudicial decision/décision judiciairePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of CyprusAntiquity/antiquitésUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionGoldbergChoice of law/droit applicable2013/04/25 16:10:00 GMT+1PageInakayal Human Remains – Argentina, Museo de La Plata and Tehuelche People
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/inakayal-human-remains-2013-argentina-museo-de-la-plata-and-tehuelche-people
Inakayal was a leader of the Tehuelche people, a native tribe of Patagonia (Argentina). In 1884, he was captured by the Argentinian army. After his death in 1888 his remains became part of the collection of the Museo de La Plata.No publisherOwnership/propriétéHuman remains/restes humainsDeaccessionUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionTehuelche PeopleDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Argentina/ArgentineMuseo de La Plata2013/04/25 09:45:00 GMT+1PageMurals of Teotihuacán – Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and National Institute of Anthropology and History
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-murals-of-teotihuacan-2013-fine-arts-museums-of-san-francisco-and-national-institute-of-anthropology-and-history
In 1978, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco became the owner of a number of murals from the world-famous Aztec site of Teotihuacán (Mexico). The Mexican Government failed in its attempts to obtain the return of these wall paintings through a court action in the United States.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOwnership/propriétéCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleMexico/MexiqueCo-ownership/co-propriétéEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justicePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationFine Arts Museums of San FranciscoIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteUnited States/États-UnisNational Institute of Anthropology and HistorySettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/04/23 09:55:00 GMT+1PageQuatre momies – Chili et Personne privée
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/quatre-momies-2013-chili-et-personne-privee
Le 20 janvier 2011, un particulier restitue quatre momies vieilles de 4000 à 6000 ans au Chili. Des représentants du Chili, des responsables du Musée d’Ethnographie de la Ville de Genève et le Service spécialisé de l’Office fédéral de la culture ont joué un rôle déterminant dans cette affaire.No publisherOwnership/propriétéPrivate person/personne privéeMusée d’ethnographie de la Ville de GenèveHuman remains/restes humainsNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Unconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocChile/Chili2013/04/12 14:30:00 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+1PageGreat Zimbabwe Bird – Zimbabwe and Prussia Cultural Heritage Foundation, Germany
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/great-zimbabwe-bird-2013-zimbabwe-and-prussia-cultural-heritage-foundation-germany
The lower half of a stone bird discovered in Zimbabwe under dubious circumstances was bought by the Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin around 1907. During the Second World War, the stone was removed by the Russian Army. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it was returned to the Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin. In 2000, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation – which managed the collection of this museum – under the pressure of the German federal government finally returned the fragment of the stone bird to Zimbabwe under the terms of a permanent loan.No publisherColonialism/colonialismeNegotiation/négociationAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocZimbabweOwnership/propriétéGermany/AllemagnePrussia Cultural Heritage FoundationIndigenous object/objet autochtoneDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteLoan/prêt2013/04/05 11:50:00 GMT+1Page