Sotheby's auction of $180m Van Gogh challenged over claims it was 'sold under duress'
Sotheby's says it will work with the heirs of a family who had previously owned the artwork to try and reach a solution.
Noticia publicada originalmente por BBC News — World en bbc.co.uk (se abre en una pestaña nueva). Minuto 24 no es autor de este contenido.
Claves de la noticia
- Sotheby's afirma que trabaja para resolver una disputa sobre la venta prevista de un cuadro de Vincent van Gogh.
- La obra "Châtaigniers en Fleurs", con una estimación de 180 millones de dólares, iba a subastarse en Nueva York el miércoles.
- Representantes de los herederos de la familia Fischer sostienen que el cuadro pudo venderse bajo coacción durante el ascenso del nazismo.
- Sotheby's dice que su investigación no ha establecido que la venta fuera forzada, aunque trabajará con la familia para buscar una solución.
- Según el artículo, un abogado de los herederos escribió a la casa de subastas alegando que la venta se hizo en Ámsterdam por pérdidas financieras de la editorial familiar.
Contexto
El caso se enmarca en las reclamaciones de restitución de obras de arte expoliadas o vendidas bajo presión durante el régimen nazi en Alemania, un asunto que las casas de subastas y los museos revisan cada vez con más atención. Antes de llegar a la subasta, las obras suelen someterse a una investigación sobre su procedencia, es decir, el historial de propietarios desde su creación. Cuando surgen dudas sobre ese historial, la venta puede retrasarse o acordarse una solución con los herederos. El cuadro forma parte de la colección Blaquier-Arrieta, y su precio estimado lo convierte en un caso de alto perfil. El artículo original de la BBC recoge la postura de Sotheby's y de los herederos, pero no incluye la respuesta del abogado, al que la cadena dice haber contactado.
Resumen elaborado por Minuto 24 con ayuda de inteligencia artificial a partir de la noticia publicada por BBC News — World. Puede contener imprecisiones: ante cualquier duda, consulta la fuente original.
Auction house Sotheby's says it is working to resolve a dispute over the intended sale of a painting by Vincent van Gogh.
Châtaigniers en Fleurs, which carries an estimate of $180m (£136m), is due to go under the hammer in New York on Wednesday.
But representatives acting for heirs of the Fischer family - earlier German owners of the work - say it may have been sold under duress during the rise of the Nazis.
Sotheby's say its own "extensive research" has not established this, but say they will work with the family to try and reach a solution.
"Sotheby's takes provenance and restitution matters extremely seriously and has undertaken extensive research into the ownership history of Châtaigniers en fleurs," Sotheby's told the BBC in a statement.
"We are aware of the concerns recently raised by representatives of the Fischer heirs and have been in dialogue with them regarding the painting's history.
"While our research to date has not established that the painting was sold under duress, we recognize the importance of engaging thoughtfully and constructively with the family and are committed to working toward a mutually satisfactory resolution."
The painting - whose name translates as Blossoming Chestnut Trees - is being sold as part of a set called the Blaquier-Arrieta Collection.
Sotheby's website details the provenance of the oil painting and how it has researched the artwork changing hands since 1890.
It says Samuel Fischer - a famous German publisher - acquired it 1909 before it was passed down in his family after his death in 1934.
The painting was deposited with Paul Cassirer in Amsterdam in 1932 or 1933 before it went to Henriette and Marcel Kapferer in Paris in 1936, Sotherby's says.
Four other owners have had it since before it was put up for auction this year.
Fischer family heirs have instructed a lawyer who, according to the New York Times, external, has written to Sotherby's.
He is said to have told the auction house the painting was sold in Amsterdam before World War Two because of financial losses the Fischer family's publishing company suffered under the Nazis.
The BBC has contacted the lawyer for comment.
