Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
The Windmill – Rüdenberg Heirs v. City of Hannover
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/the-windmill-2013-rudenberg-heirs-v-city-of-hannover
Max Rüdenberg, a Jewish salesman and art collector, acquired several modern art pieces beginning in the late 1910s. Due to the discriminatory Nazi politics, the Rüdenberg family was forced to sell the art collection, including the painting “The Windmill” by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff.No publisherOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelMax RüdenbergMediation/médiationProcedural issue/limites procéduralesNegotiation/négociationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNazi looted art/spoliations naziesCity of HannoverSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2018/05/16 11:15:00 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+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+1DocumentBuste de Diane – Pologne et Auktionshaus im Kinsky
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/buste-de-diane-2013-pologne-et-auktionshaus-im-kinsky
En juin 2015, le Ministère de la culture polonais apprend qu’un buste de Diane, spolié durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et disparu depuis, va prochainement être vendu à Vienne par la maison de vente Auktionshaus im Kinsky. Le Ministère contacte alors la société Art Recovery International. Avec l’aide de cette dernière et de l’Ambassadeur ainsi que du Consul général de Pologne en Autriche, le buste est restitué à la Pologne le 18 décembre 2015.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArt Recovery InternationalAuktionshaus im KinskyAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocMediation/médiationDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéArtwork/oeuvre d’artNazi looted art/spoliations naziesDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePoland/Pologne2017/12/11 17:35:00 GMT+1DocumentG’psgolox Totem Pole – Haisla and Sweden and the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/g2019psgolox-totem-pole-2013-haisla-and-sweden-and-museum-of-ethnography
In 1927, a totem pole belonging to the Haisla tribe in Canada was stolen and brought to the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography. In 1991, the tribe discovered the location of their totem pole, known as the G’psgolox totem pole, and requested that it be returned. After fifteen years of negotiations, the G’psgolox totem pole was formally returned to the tribe in 2006. No publisherIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCopy/copieNegotiation/négociationHaislaPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Criminal offence/infraction pénaleSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelStockholm Museum of EthnographyAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocSweden/Suède2017/10/10 14:45:00 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+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+1DocumentTête du roi Badu Bonsu II – Ghana et Pays-Bas
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/tete-du-roi-badu-bonsu-ii-2013-ghana-et-pays-bas
En 1838, Badu Bonsu II, roi des Ahanta du Ghana, est condamné à mort par les autorités coloniales néerlandaises. Il sera pendu et décapité. Sa tête sera transportée aux Pays-Bas. Par la suite, un accord de restitution de cette tête sera signé à La Haye entre les gouvernements néerlandais et ghanéen ainsi qu’un représentant de la tribu Ahanta.No publisherDeaccessionGhanaSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsNetherlands/Pays-BasHuman remains/restes humainsDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueColonialism/colonialismeAhanta tribe/tribu AhantaNegotiation/négociationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéInalienability/inaliénabilité2017/03/20 14:35:00 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+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+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+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+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+1DocumentQuedlinburg 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+1DocumentLe 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+1Document