Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Bélier 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+1DocumentDurga Idol – India and Germany
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/durga-idol-2013-india-and-germany
In the 1990s, a 10th century idol representing the Indian Goddess Durga was reported as stolen from a temple in Tengpora, Pulwana in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The idol was found at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart in 2012. After presenting the evidence of its provenance, the idol was returned to India on “ethical grounds”.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociationSubhash KapoorCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionGermany/AllemagneArtwork/oeuvre d’artIndia/IndeDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illicite2016/10/05 11:55:00 GMT+1DocumentCanon 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+1Document3000 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+1Document 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+1DocumentPoster Collection – Sachs Heirs v. Foundation German Historical Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/poster-collection-2013-sachs-heirs-v-foundation-german-historical-museum
Hans Sachs began collecting posters from the end of the nineteenth century. This collection was considered lost as a result of its seizure by the Nazis in 1937. In 2005, Peter Sachs, as Hans Sachs’ son and sole heir, located his father’s collection at the German Historical Museum and demanded its restitution. A judgment of the German Federal Court of Justice made possible the return of the poster collection to Peter Sachs.No publisherUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionJudicial claim/action en justiceConciliationHans SachsFoundation German Historical MuseumProcedural issue/limites procéduralesArchivesJudicial decision/décision judiciaireNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociation2017/01/24 15:55:00 GMT+1DocumentPortrait of a Youth – Reichel Heirs v. Sarah Blodgett Dunbar
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/portrait-of-a-youth-2013-reichel-heirs-v-sarah-blodgett-dunbar
In the mid-2000s, Claudia Seger-Thomschitz, one of the heirs of Oskar Reichel, attempted to recover the painting “Portrait of a Youth” from Sarah Blodgett Dunbar on the grounds that it had been lost as a result of Nazi persecution. The 2010 appeal decision of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals settled the case in favour of Sarah Blodgett Dunbar.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artOskar ReichelDue diligenceSarah Blodgett DunbarJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesStatute of limitation/prescriptionNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriété2017/05/11 09:55:00 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+1DocumentMorgantina Goddess Statue – Italy and J. Paul Getty Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/morgantina-goddess-statue-2013-italy-and-j-paul-getty-museum
An ancient statue of a goddess, which was likely illegally excavated in the late 1970s in Italy, was purchased by the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1988 for a record-setting US$18 million. That same year, Italian authorities began an investigation at the conclusion of which the Getty Museum agreed to consider returning the statue to Italy.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionNegotiation/négociationStatute of limitation/prescriptionArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueCriminal offence/infraction pénaleIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteItaly/ItalieJ. Paul Getty MuseumSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702017/10/06 10:40:00 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+1DocumentVallée de la Stour – Héritiers Jaffé et La Chaux-de-Fonds
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/vallee-de-la-stour-2013-heritiers-jaffe-et-la-chaux-de-fonds
En 2006, la Ville de La Chaux-de-Fonds reçoit une demande de restitution pour le tableau « La Vallée de la Stour » de John Constable exposé au Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds. Le requérant représente les ayants droit héritiers de John et Anna Jaffé, dont les biens, y compris ce tableau, ont été spoliés par les Nazis durant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Après avoir d’abord refusé, la Ville accepte de restituer le tableau à l’automne 2017 suite à une procédure de conciliation judiciaire. Le Tableau est restitué aux héritiers le 12 mars 2018.No publisherHéritiers JunodConciliationArtwork/oeuvre d’artJohn et Anna JafféMusée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-FondsSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionLa Chaux-de-FondsStatute of limitation/prescriptionFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéInalienability/inaliénabilité2017/11/21 15:25:00 GMT+1DocumentSumpflegende – Héritiers Lissitzky-Küppers et Ville de Munich
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/sumpflegende-2013-heritiers-lissitzky-kuppers-et-ville-de-munich
Après 25 ans de litige juridique et de négociation, le sort de « Sumpflegende », un tableau de Paul Klee prêté à une galerie allemande en 1926 puis confisqué par les Nazis au titre d’art « dégénéré », est scellé. En juillet 2017, les héritiers de Sophie Lissitzky-Küppers, laquelle avait prêté le tableau, concluent un accord avec la Ville de Munich et une fondation privée. L’œuvre reste exposée dans un musée munichois et les héritiers Lissitzky-Küppers sont indemnisés.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireFondation Gabriele Münter et Johannes EichnerArtwork/oeuvre d’artSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueDue diligenceMunichJudicial claim/action en justiceFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationSophie Lissitzky-KüppersStatute of limitation/prescriptionNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2018/01/08 10:35:00 GMT+1DocumentMandat signé par Jean Calvin - République et canton de Genève et Sotheby's
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/mandat-signe-par-jean-calvin-2013-republique-et-canton-de-geneve-et-sotheby2019s
En novembre 2016, il est porté à la connaissance de l’archiviste d’État de Genève qu’un document datant du XVIe siècle et volé probablement au XIXe siècle figure sur le catalogue de la prochaine vente aux enchères de Sotheby’s à New York. Un accord d’indemnisation est signé le 1er septembre 2017 entre Sotheby’s, le possesseur et deux intervenants privés. Le même jour, un accord distinct de restitution est signé entre la République et canton de Genève, Sotheby’s et le possesseur.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelSwitzerland/SuisseUnited States/États-UnisInalienability/inaliénabilitéCriminal offence/infraction pénaleRepublic and Canton of Geneva/République et canton de GenèveSotheby'sMediation/médiationArchivesPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Ownership/propriétéFinancial compensation/indemnisationDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueUnconditional restitution/restitution sans condition2018/02/20 14:50:00 GMT+1DocumentMurals 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+1DocumentInakayal 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+1Document