Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Guelph Treasure – Alan Philipp, Gerald G. Stiebel and Jed R. Leiber v. Germany and Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-guelph-treasure-2013-alan-philipp-gerald-g-stiebel-and-jed-r-leiber-v-germany-and-prussian-cultural-heritage-foundation-1
A collection of medieval ecclesiastical art is claimed by the heirs of three Jewish dealers, who allege that the collection was sold under duress during the Nazi era. After an unsuccessful conciliation in front of Germany’s Advisory Commission, the claim is being litigated before the courts of the United States. On 3 February 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favour of Germany on the interpretation of the expropriation exception in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOngoing dispute/litige en coursGermany/AllemagneConciliationArtwork/oeuvre d’artState immunity/immunité des EtatsExpropriationInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelGerald G. StiebelJudicial claim/action en justiceAlan PhilippJed R. LeiberJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsPrussian Cultural Heritage FoundationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociation2021/06/28 10:20:00 GMT+1DocumentGreat 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+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+1DocumentFresques 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+1DocumentFive 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+1DocumentFive Italian Paintings – Gentili di Giuseppe Heirs v. Musée du Louvre and France
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/five-italian-paintings-2013-gentili-di-giuseppe-heirs-v-musee-du-louvre-and-france
In 1998, the heirs of the renowned Jewish art collector Federico Gentili di Giuseppe sued the Louvre Museum seeking the restitution of five paintings. These paintings, which were part of Federico Gentili di Giuseppe’s collection, were bought at auction by Herman Göring in 1941 and transferred to the Musée du Louvre at the end of the Second World War. No publisherUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionFederico Gentili di GiuseppeNegotiation/négociationStatute of limitation/prescriptionArtwork/oeuvre d’artMusée du LouvreOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceFranceNazi looted art/spoliations naziesJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2013/02/03 11:20:00 GMT+1DocumentEuphronios Krater and Other Archaeological Objects – Italy and Metropolitan Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/euphronios-krater-and-other-archaeological-objects-2013-italy-and-metropolitan-museum-of-art
In February 2006, the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) of New York entered into a landmark agreement with which the ownership title to the Euphronios Krater and other archaeological artefacts was transferred to the Italian Government.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelProcedural issue/limites procéduralesItaly/ItalieNegotiation/négociationConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCriminal offence/infraction pénaleCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteThe Metropolitan Museum of Art New YorkDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit excavation/fouille illiciteLoan/prêtArchaeological object/objet archéologique2013/03/20 12:30:00 GMT+1DocumentElmali Hoard – Turkey and OKS Partners
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/elmali-hoard-2013-turkey-and-oks-partners
In 1999, OKS Partners, a consortium comprised of, among others, the American businessman William Koch, returned to Turkey nearly 1700 ancient coins. The coins were part of the Elmali Hoard, a precious and rare collection of ancient coins, also called the “Hoard of the Century,” that had been illegally excavated and smuggled out of Turkey in 1984. No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNegotiation/négociationArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueStatute of limitation/prescriptionOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceOKS PartnersPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit excavation/fouille illiciteTurkey/Turquie2013/10/18 10:55:00 GMT+1DocumentEgyptian Archaeological Objects – United States v. Frederick Schultz
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/egyptian-archaeological-objects-2013-us-v-schultz
On 16 July 2001, Frederick Schultz, a New York antiquities dealer, was indicted on one count of conspiring to receive stolen Egyptian antiquities in violation of the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA). Under the NSPA, it is a crime to deal in property that has been “stolen, unlawfully converted or taken, knowing the same to be stolen”.No publisherPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Frederick SchultzEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerCriminal offence/infraction pénaleUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteIllicit importation/importation illiciteUnited States/États-UnisJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueEgypt/Egypte2013/02/15 18:10:00 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+1DocumentDie 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+1DocumentDeux tableaux de Toulouse-Lautrec – Koerfer c. Goldschmidt
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/deux-tableaux-de-toulouse-lautrec-2013-koerfer-c-goldschmidt-1
En 1940, Jakob Goldschmidt, banquier juif et grand collectionneur d’art se voit retirer la nationalité allemande par le régime nazi qui s’approprie, par la suite, son patrimoine. Deux de ses tableaux du peintre Toulouse-Lautrec sont alors vendus aux enchères publiques et acquises par Jakob Koerfer qui en fait cadeau à sa femme, résidant en Suisse. Au décès de cette dernière, les tableaux sont dévolus aux enfants du couple. En 1956, Alfred Erwin Goldschmidt ouvre contre Jakob Koerfer et ses enfants une action en restitution des tableaux litigieux. Sa demande est rejetée en dernière instance par le Tribunal fédéral selon lequel les héritiers Koerfer sont, d’après le droit suisse, valablement devenus propriétaires des tableaux litigieux.
No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artSwitzerland/SuisseGermany/AllemagneJakob KoerferJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesJakob GoldschmidChoice of law/droit applicableNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriété2022/01/25 19:30:59 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+1DocumentDancing Shiva Statue – India and National Gallery of Australia
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/dancing-shiva-statue-2013-india-and-national-gallery-of-australia
In 2006, New York art dealer Subhash Kapoor arranged the theft and illegal exportation of a 900-year old bronze statue of the Dancing Shiva from a small temple in Southern India. In 2008, the National Gallery of Australia bought the statue for AUD$5.6 million.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970DeaccessionNegotiation/négociationSubhash KapoorIndia/IndeAntiquity/antiquitésDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueNational Gallery of Australia2015/02/16 18:55:00 GMT+1DocumentCypriot Icon – Boy George and the Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/cypriot-icon-boy-george-and-the-greek-orthodox-church-in-cyprus
When the representative of the Greek Orthodox church of Cyprus, Bishop Porfyrios, watched a television interview with the British singer, Boy George, he discovered that an 18th century Cypriot icon was hanging in the singer’s living room. The artefact depicting Jesus Christ Pantokrator was displayed in the Cypriot Church of St. Charalambos, before it was allegedly looted during the Turkish invasion of 1974. At the request of the Bishop, Boy George immediately agreed to return the artefact and received a gift in return.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociationGreek Orthodox church in Cyprus/Eglise grecque orthodoxe de ChypreAntiquity/antiquitésUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionBoy GeorgeSpoils of war/butins de guerreSymbolic gesture/geste symbolique2013/02/12 14:35:00 GMT+1Document