Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
89 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+1PageFive 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+1PageQuedlinburg 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+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+1PageMercedes Shipwreck – Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. v. Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/mercedes-shipwreck-2013-odyssey-marine-exploration-inc-v-unidentified-shipwrecked-vessel
In 2007, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. found a shipwreck of the Spanish Royal Navy Frigate Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, loaded with many tonnes of coins. Odyssey filed an in rem action in the United States federal court to get legal title to the shipwreck and the coins, but the court found that they did not have the jurisdiction to decide the case according to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. As a result, the Mercedes and its cargo were given over to the custody of Spain.No publisherAct of StateOwnership/propriétéJudicial decision/décision judiciairePeru/PérouJudicial claim/action en justiceState immunity/immunité des EtatsRequest denied/rejet de la demandeAnti-seizure legislation/garantie de restitutionArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueSpain/EspagneUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionColonialism/colonialismeOdyssey Marine ExplorationJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionUnited States/États-UnisPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702015/12/08 15:30:00 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+1PageMadonna and Child with Wild Roses – Gross-Eisenstadt Heirs and Utrecht City Council
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/madonna-and-child-with-wild-roses-2013-gross-eisenstadt-heirs-and-utrecht-city-council
German-Jewish businessman Richard Semmel had an extensive art collection which he was forced to sell after fleeing Jewish persecution in Germany. Among this collection was the painting “Madonna and Child with Wild Roses” by Jan van Scorel.No publisherUtrecht City CouncilOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artRequest denied/rejet de la demandeNazi looted art/spoliations naziesCentraal MuseumSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelRichard SemmelGross-Eisenstadt Heirs2015/10/14 14:45:00 GMT+1PageTwo Souza paintings – Kurtha v. Marks
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/two-souza-paintings-2013-kurtha-v-marks
In 1982, Dr Aziz Kurtha purchased two paintings from the Indian artist Francis Souza. They were stolen years later and their ownership changed a number of times, before Michael Marks purchased them on 10 January 2006. No publisherJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocArtwork/oeuvre d’artMichael MarksFrancis Newton SouzaAziz KurthaUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Judicial decision/décision judiciaireOwnership/propriété2015/10/08 02:15:00 GMT+1PageYoung Couple in a Landscape – Feldmann Heirs and British Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/young-couple-in-a-landscape-2013-feldmann-heirs-and-british-museum
Czech-Jewish Arthur Feldmann’s collection of drawings, including “Young Couple in a Landscape”, was illegally seized and liquidated by the Gestapo in 1939. The painting was later acquired by the collector Edmund Schilling in the 1960s, who donated it to the British Museum in 1997. Uri Peled, Feldmann’s grandson, made a claim to the drawing a few years later.No publisherDeaccessionSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArtwork/oeuvre d’artEx gratia payment/versement à titre gracieuxDue diligenceArthur FeldmannNegotiation/négociationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéBritish Museum2015/10/07 12:05:00 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+1PageLebanese Archives – Lebanon and University of Geneva
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/lebanese-archives-2013-lebanon-and-university-of-geneva
In 2010, the University of Geneva sent to Lebanon the archives concerning the excavations conducted at Byblos, an archaeological site located in the northern part of Beirut, by the French archaeologist Maurice Dunand. The University had acquired the archives from Dunand in 1984.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelMaurice DunandLebanon/LibanConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionDue diligenceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchivesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéUniversity of GenevaNegotiation/négociation2015/08/10 09:10:00 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+1PageKa Nefer Nefer Mask – United States v. Mask of Ka Nefer Nefer
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/ka-nefer-nefer-mask-2013-united-states-v-mask-of-ka-nefer-nefer
On July 28, 2014, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request of the United States Government to take further legal action regarding the St. Louis Art Museum’s ownership of the 3200 year old Egyptian Ka Nefer Nefer funerary mask. No publisherOwnership/propriétéSt. Louis Art MuseumJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleNegotiation/négociationRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueIllicit importation/importation illiciteUnited States/États-UnisEgypt/EgypteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702015/07/17 11:45:00 GMT+1PageChrist and the Samaritan Woman at the Well – Gross-Eisenstädt Heirs and Museum de Fundatie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/christ-and-the-samaritan-woman-2013-gross-eisenstadt-heirs-and-museum-de-fundatie
In 1933, Jewish businessman and art collector Richard Semmel was forced to leave Berlin and sell parts of his art collection for economic survival. Among the works was the Italian painting Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well, which was bought by Dirk Hannema, a Dutch museums director. Since 1964, the painting has been in the Museum de Fundatie, which Hannema founded and to which he donated the painting. No publisherSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueNegotiation/négociationRequest denied/rejet de la demandeInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelGross-Eisenstädt HeirsArtwork/oeuvre d’artOwnership/propriétéRichard SemmelNazi looted art/spoliations naziesMuseum de FundatieLegacy/legs2015/03/03 18:35:00 GMT+1PageThe Night Café Painting – Morozov Heirs v. Yale University
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/the-night-cafe-painting-2013-morozov-heirs-v-yale-university
In 1908, Ivan Morozov, a Russian art collector, purchased Van Gogh’s painting “The Night Café”. The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution led to the nationalization of private property, and as such Morozov’s art collection was confiscated and subsequently sold. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireIvan MorozovRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artExpropriationAct of StateDue diligenceJudicial claim/action en justiceYale UniversityPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Procedural issue/limites procéduralesOwnership/propriété2015/02/25 10:55:00 GMT+1Page