Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
The Actor – Leffmann Heir v. Metropolitan Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/the-actor-2013-leffmann-heir-v-metropolitan-museum-of-art
Before the Second World War, Paul and Alice Leffmann, a couple of German Jews, fled Germany to Italy and then to Brazil. To be able to leave Europe, they sold the painting “The Actor” by Picasso to three art dealers for a fraction of its market value. In 1939, one of the dealers sold the painting to Thelma Foy. Several years later, Thelma Foy donated the painting to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) of New York. In the 2010s, the great-grandniece of Paul and Alice Leffmanns sued the MET to retrieve the painting.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeOwnership/propriétéOngoing dispute/litige en coursMetropolitan Museum of ArtArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justicePaul and Alice LeffmannNazi looted art/spoliations naziesDue diligenceStatute of limitation/prescriptionProcedural issue/limites procéduralesJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2020/02/05 12:55:00 GMT+1PageSumpflegende – 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+1PageStèles historiques – Galerie d’art c. Italie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/affaire-steles-historiques-2013-galerie-d2019art-c-italie
En 1980, des stèles historiques sont remises par la Suisse à l’Italie dans le cadre d’une procédure pénale ouverte en Italie. Une Galerie d’art suisse introduit une action en Suisse pour récupérer les stèles historiques. L’Italie se prévaut de son immunité de juridiction. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireState immunity/immunité des EtatsItaly/ItalieEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Request denied/rejet de la demande2013/04/02 15:45:00 GMT+1PageSix Klimt paintings – Maria Altmann and Austria
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/6-klimt-paintings-2013-maria-altmann-and-austria
Maria Altmann brought suit in the United States against the Republic of Austria and the Austrian National Gallery to recover six paintings by Gustav Klimt that the Nazis took during the Second World War from her Jewish relatives, Ferdinand and Adele Bloch-Bauer. Although the Supreme Court of the United States lifted Austria’s jurisdictional immunity, the disputants reached an agreement to end the litigation and submit the dispute to arbitration in Austria. The arbitration panel ruled that Austria was obliged to return five of the Klimt’s masterpieces to Maria Altmann.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireConciliationArtwork/oeuvre d’artState immunity/immunité des EtatsArbitral award/décision arbitraleInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelArbitration/arbitrageJudicial claim/action en justiceMaria AltmannUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionAustria/AutricheNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéFerdinand and Adele Bloch-BauerAustrian National Gallery2012/11/13 15:55:00 GMT+1PageSevso Treasure – Lebanon et al. v. Marquess of Northampton
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/sevso-treasure-2013-lebanon-et-al-v-marquess-of-northampton
The Sevso Treasure was consigned at Sotheby’s by the Marquess of Northampton in 1989. Sotheby’s released a press statement which said that the treasure would not be sold until all claims against it had been dealt with. Hungary bought seven pieces of the treasure in 2014, and a further seven pieces in 2017.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeJudicial decision/décision judiciaireAntiquity/antiquitésOwnership/propriétéLebanon/LibanIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial claim/action en justiceRepurchase/rachatCroatia/CroatieSale/venteHungary/HongrieIllicit excavation/fouille illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Marquess of Northampton2018/12/13 12:30:00 GMT+1PageSchiele Drawing – Grunbaum Heirs v. David Bakalar
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/schiele-drawing-2013-grunbaum-heirs-v-david-bakalar
In 1938, the Nazi expropriated the art collection of Fritz Grunbaum while he was detained in Dachau concentration camp. In 1963, David Bakalar purchased a Schiele drawing that had belonged to the Grunbaum family from a gallery in Bern.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artExpropriationDavid BakalarJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesFritz and Elizabeth GrunbaumChoice of law/droit applicableNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriété2014/09/15 17:50:00 GMT+1PageSarcophage romain – I. SA c. Ordonnance de restitution et Turquie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/sarcophage-romain-2013-i-sa-c-ordonnance-de-restitution-et-turquie
Fin 2010, lors d’un contrôle d’inventaire aux Ports francs de Genève, l’Administration fédérale des douanes découvre un exceptionnel sarcophage romain représentant les douze travaux d’Hercule. Suspicieuse, l’Administration séquestre le bien. La Turquie se constitue comme partie plaignante dans la procédure pénale ouverte à Genève, se déclarant légitime propriétaire du sarcophage. En 2015, le Ministère public genevois ordonne la restitution de l’objet à la Turquie. Le détenteur du sarcophage recourt en vain devant la Cour de Justice puis au Tribunal fédéral, avant de se rétracter. L’objet doit donc être restitué à la Turquie, mais personne n’a été condamnéNo publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireCriminal offence/infraction pénaleSwitzerland/SuisseMinistère public genevoisArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionIllicit excavation/fouille illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéTurkey/Turquie2017/12/22 16:35:00 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+1PagePoster 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+1PagePortrait of Wally – United States and Estate of Lea Bondi and Leopold Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-portrait-of-wally-2013-united-states-and-estate-of-lea-bondi-and-leopold-museum
After having been taken from Lea Bondi, a Jew forced to flee Austria following the Anschluss, the painting “Portrait of Wally” by Egon Schiele was seized by the US Forces at the end of the war. The portrait was first returned by the US Restitution Division to the Austrian Federal Office for Preservation of Historical Monument (BDA). No publisherCriminal offence/infraction pénaleSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArtwork/oeuvre d’artEstate of Lea BondiSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueJudicial claim/action en justiceFinancial compensation/indemnisationUnited States/États-UnisNazi looted art/spoliations naziesLeopold MuseumAnti-seizure legislation/garantie de restitutionLoan/prêt2013/04/02 11:30:00 GMT+1PagePortrait of Greta Moll – Moll Heirs v. National Gallery of London
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/portrait-of-greta-moll-2013-moll-heirs-v-national-gallery-of-london
The “Portrait of Greta Moll” has been subject to a claim for return. The heirs of the painting’s subject argued the painting was stolen in the aftermath of the Second World War and claimed that the National Gallery of London did not purchase the work in good faith. The case has been heard in two courts of the United States.No publisherPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970National Gallery, LondonDeaccessionProcedural issue/limites procéduralesMargrete MollRequest denied/rejet de la demandeCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDue diligenceStatute of limitation/prescriptionOwnership/propriétéUnited Kingdom/Royaume-UniState immunity/immunité des EtatsJudicial claim/action en justiceJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionArtwork/oeuvre d’artConciliationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesJudicial decision/décision judiciaireThe American Friends of the National GalleryOskar Moll2019/08/12 14:20:00 GMT+1PagePortrait 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+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+1PagePortrait d’Isabelle d’Este – Cecchini c. Italie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/portrait-d2019isabelle-d2019este-2013-cecchini-c-italie
Dans le cadre d’une procédure pénale, le procureur du Tribunal de Pesaro (Italie) a adressé à la Suisse une demande d’entraide judiciaire portant sur un tableau attribué à Leonardo da Vinci qui aurait été transféré d’Italie en Suisse, par sa propriétaire, sans l’autorisation des autorités italiennes. Après avoir fait séquestrer le tableau, le Ministère public du Tessin ordonne la remise de ce dernier à l’Italie. La propriétaire de l’œuvre recourt contre cette décision jusqu’au Tribunal fédéral, qui casse la décision précédente.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleCecchiniIllicit importation/importation illiciteItaly/ItalieSwitzerland/SuissePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702020/02/24 16:30:00 GMT+1PagePièces d’or géantes – Inde c. Crédit Agricole Indosuez SA
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/pieces-d2019or-geantes-2013-inde-contre-credit-agricole-indosuez-sa
Deux pièces d’or géantes anciennes d’une valeur exceptionnelle, tant d’un point de vue économique que culturel, sont mises en gage auprès d’une Banque à Genève par le petit-fils de l’ancien Nizam de la Principauté d’Hyderabad. L’Inde introduit une action auprès des tribunaux genevois dans le but d’en obtenir la restitution. No publisherOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerDue diligenceJudicial decision/décision judiciairePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteAntiquity/antiquitésProcedural issue/limites procéduralesStatute of limitation/prescriptionRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIndia/IndeCrédit agricole Indosuez SAChoice of law/droit applicable2013/03/20 15:10:00 GMT+1Page