About as important as the front of an art object is its reverse side.
Paintings, once out of the artist's studio, accumulate chronicals of ownership, in terms of labels, stamps and various other marks and documentation affixed to their backs. The markings may also contain valuable information to establish an art work's authenticity.
Art Restitution claims and other art-related disputes as a rule attract much press attention. Post WWII restitution matters, and more recent cases of art theft and illegally exported art objects are widely-publicised.
The image of the back of the painting, which is prominently depicted on our Art Law blog, is symbolic for its purpose, which is to offer a look into the fascinating legal aspects of the art world.
Recent items
Luigies Collection stays with Dutch municipality of Papendrecht, claim heir dismissed
26 April 2012
On 7 March 2012, the Dordrecht District Court rendered a final judgment in the dispute concerning the Luigies Art Collection. The works of art are part of the estate of the late Nanne Harm Luigies (1904-1977), an art collector, who managed to build a sizeable and valuable art collection during his lifetime. The collection includes paintings by Karel Appel, lithographs by Corneille and Pierre Alechinsky. Further, the collection includes works by Dolf Henkes and Floris Arntzenius, a study by Kees van Dongen, an etching by Chagall and lithographs by Toulouse-Lautrec. Paintings by Jan Sluijters are the showpieces of the collection. Luigies during his lifetime bequeathed the collection to the Dutch municipality of Papendrecht. Claimant, Mrs. Damstra-Visser, heir of the Luigies estate, in recent years aimed to rescind the 1972 bequest. The District Court has now dismissed the claim and has amended the terms of the bequest in favor of the municipality. The judgment shows the importance of a well drafted bequest, when it comes to art collections.
26 April 2012
On 7 March 2012, the Dordrecht District Court rendered a final judgment in the dispute concerning the Luigies Art Collection. The works of art are part of the estate of the late Nanne Harm Luigies (1904-1977), an art collector, who managed to build a sizeable and valuable art collection during his lifetime. The collection includes paintings by Karel Appel, lithographs by Corneille and Pierre Alechinsky. Further, the collection includes works by Dolf Henkes and Floris Arntzenius, a study by Kees van Dongen, an etching by Chagall and lithographs by Toulouse-Lautrec. Paintings by Jan Sluijters are the showpieces of the collection. Luigies during his lifetime bequeathed the collection to the Dutch municipality of Papendrecht. Claimant, Mrs. Damstra-Visser, heir of the Luigies estate, in recent years aimed to rescind the 1972 bequest. The District Court has now dismissed the claim and has amended the terms of the bequest in favor of the municipality. The judgment shows the importance of a well drafted bequest, when it comes to art collections.
Painting on loan seized at a museum in Florida (UPDATE)
23 April 2012
On 4 November 2011 the judicial authorities in Florida seized Girolamo Romani’s 1538 painting \"Cristo Portacroce Trascinato Da Un Manigoldo\". The painting was part of the collection of Federico Gentili di Giuseppe, an Italian of Jewish origin living in Paris. Gentili died in 1940, just before the German occupation; his family fled to the United States and Canada. During World War II, in 1941, the estate of Gentili – including the art collection – was confiscated and sold by the French Vichy government in collaboration with the Nazis. In 1998 the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum in Milan acquired the painting; since March 2011 they loaned the painting to the Mary Brogan Museum of Art Tallahassee (Florida).
23 April 2012
On 4 November 2011 the judicial authorities in Florida seized Girolamo Romani’s 1538 painting \"Cristo Portacroce Trascinato Da Un Manigoldo\". The painting was part of the collection of Federico Gentili di Giuseppe, an Italian of Jewish origin living in Paris. Gentili died in 1940, just before the German occupation; his family fled to the United States and Canada. During World War II, in 1941, the estate of Gentili – including the art collection – was confiscated and sold by the French Vichy government in collaboration with the Nazis. In 1998 the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum in Milan acquired the painting; since March 2011 they loaned the painting to the Mary Brogan Museum of Art Tallahassee (Florida).
Failed replevin action painting by Jan Sluijters
22 April 2012
The Amsterdam District Court recently rendered a judgment in a replevin action, which shows the importance of putting an apropriate litigation strategy in place.
22 April 2012
The Amsterdam District Court recently rendered a judgment in a replevin action, which shows the importance of putting an apropriate litigation strategy in place.
