Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Portrait 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+1PageLa cueillette de Pissarro – Héritiers Simon Bauer c. Bruce et Robbi Toll
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/la-cueillette-de-pissarro-2013-heritiers-simon-bauer-c-bruce-et-robbi-toll
Les héritiers de Simon Bauer, juif déporté dont la collection avait été confisquée sous le régime nazi, profitent de la présence du tableau de Pissarro « La cueillette » en France dans le cadre d’une exposition pour en demander la restitution. Le Tribunal de grande instance de Paris ordonne la restitution de la toile le 7 novembre 2017. La Cour d’appel a confirmé cette décision le 2 octobre 2018.No publisherUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionStatute of limitation/prescriptionNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéSimon Bauer2019/04/03 17:10:00 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+1PageMaori Panels – New Zealand and Ortiz Heirs
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/maori-panels-2013-new-zealand-and-ortiz-heirs-1
In 1972, five rare Maori wooden panels were discovered in a swamp in New Zealand’s North Island. Shortly after the discovery, the panels were illegally exported out of the country by an antiquities dealer and then bought by Swiss collector George Ortiz. In 2014 New Zealand obtained the return of the Maori panels by virtue of an agreement with the heirs of Ortiz.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionSale/venteJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerNew-Zealand/Nouvelle-ZélandeOrtiz HeirsPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Te Papa MuseumChoice of law/droit applicableGeorge OrtizRepurchase/rachatSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2018/11/20 16:45:00 GMT+1PageHerzog Collection – De Csepel et al. v. Republic of Hungary et al.
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/herzog-collection-2013-de-csepel-et-al-v-republic-of-hungary-et-al
The “Herzog Collection” was originally an assembly of over two thousand works of art, collected by Baron Mór Lipót Herzog in the early 1900s. During World War II, the collection was seized by the Hungarian government, under Nazi orders. For the last seven decades, the Herzog Heirs have attempted to reclaim the Collection from the Republic of Hungary, without success. Now, the Herzog Heirs are taking their claim to the United States Supreme Court.No publisherAct of StateOngoing dispute/litige en coursJudicial decision/décision judiciaireDe CsepelArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceNazi looted art/spoliations naziesHerzog HeirsBreach of contract/violation du contratState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsState immunity/immunité des EtatsHungaryJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdiction2018/08/22 15:00:00 GMT+1Page25 Objets d’art précolombien – Lempertz c. Etat de Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/25-objets-d2019art-precolombien-2013-lempertz-c-etat-de-rhenanie-du-nord-westphalie
La maison de vente aux enchères Lempertz met en vente des objets d’art précolombien. A la demande du Mexique, qui estime que 25 de ces biens appartiennent à son patrimoine culturel, l’Etat de Rhénanie-du-Nord Westphalie rend une ordonnance de saisie conservatoire en vue du retour de 25 biens au Mexique. Saisis par Lempertz, les tribunaux allemands jugent que faute d’effet rétroactif de la Convention UNESCO de 1970 et de sa loi allemande d’application, les conditions pour un retour ne sont pas réunies. Les objets sont transférés à leurs acquéreurs.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireEtat de Rhénanie-du-Nord-WestphalieIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justicePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970LempertzIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteRequest denied/rejet de la demande2018/05/28 10:35:00 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+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+1PageGravures 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+1PageEtruscan Black-Figured Kalpis – Italy and Toledo Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/etruscan-black-figured-kalpis-2013-italy-and-toledo-museum-of-art
After an extensive investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations, the Toledo Museum of Art returned in 2013 an Etruscan black-figure kalpis to Italy. The kalpis was found to be smuggled out of Italy after an illegal excavation prior to 1981, then sold to the Toledo Museum of Art in 1982 by Gianfranco and Ursula Becchina, who had earlier purchased it from the art smuggler Giacomo Medici. No publisherU.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementUnited States/États-UnisItaly/ItalieNegotiation/négociationCriminal offence/infraction pénaleToledo Museum of ArtGianfranco and Ursula BecchinaUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteIllicit importation/importation illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Archaeological object/objet archéologique2017/10/10 11:40:00 GMT+1PageDeux 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+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+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+1Page 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+1Page3000 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+1Page