We have recently concluded another case concerning the recovery of a work of art deposited with a Polish museum during the interwar period. The object remained there for decades and, for many years, was also displayed to the public in one of Poland’s most recognisable museum spaces.
The case, handled by advocate Maciej Obrębski and attorney-at-law Damian Malicki, concerned an oil painting on canvas of significant historical, artistic and family value. It was one of the few surviving mementoes that had once belonged to our Client’s ancestors. According to a valuation report, its current value was estimated at an amount equivalent to the price of two top-of-the-range premium cars.
The matter required a careful analysis of the available documents, the reconstruction of the object’s history and the resolution of the legal issues necessary for its return to the rightful owner. Proceedings of this kind demonstrate that, in cases involving works of art, success depends not only on legal arguments, but also on the accuracy of the findings, the ability to conduct discussions with institutions, consistency in pursuing the matter and – last but not least – patience.
Cases involving the recovery of works of art frequently combine issues relating to art law, restitution of property and succession law. We invite anyone seeking assistance in determining the legal status of family collections, establishing provenance or recovering objects of historical and artistic value to contact us.