Attorney: Yale turned blind eye when acquiring Van Gogh painting

New Haven Register ^ | June 4, 2009

[george76]

Yale University's acquisition of a Vincent Van Gogh painting that Russia once claimed as its own amounted to acceptance of stolen property and "art laundering," a descendant of an earlier owner alleges.

Pierre Konowaloff of France argues in recent court papers that Russian authorities in the 1917 revolution unlawfully confiscated the painting owned by Konowaloff's ancestor and that the United States deemed the theft a violation of international law.

"Yale's continued and wrongful detention of the unlawfully confiscated 'The Night Cafe' is prohibited by customary and international treaty law," Konowaloff's attorneys wrote in the filings. "Yale should be held accountable for financially benefiting and being complicit in the pillage and plunder and unlawful confiscation of cultural property."

Russia nationalized Morozov's property during the Communist revolution.

Konowaloff alleges Clark knew of the painting's ownership history and that "Yale engaged in a policy of willful ignorance" when it accepted the piece in 1961.

"As an institution of higher learning of worldwide renown, Yale knew, or had reason to suspect, that it's bequest from Clark involved looted art," Konowaloff's attorneys wrote. "Yale's unquestioned acceptance of the Clark bequest amounted to 'art laundering' that involved the knowing receipt of stolen goods."

[NonValueAdded]

blind eye? I’d think they were deaf to good advice :) at least on one side.

[ml/nj]

Funny. I've been to Yale's Museum a couple of times, though not recently I do not recall seeing this painting on display. I thought they had one early, rather obscure Van Gogh and that was it. Maybe I'm thinking of someplace else?

ML/NJ

[Steely Tom]

It’s not corrupt when they do it. Now get your nose back on that grindstone. You’ve got taxes to pay.

[nkycincinnatikid]

Having gorged themselves on and depleted all the the low hanging fruit the communist/liberal varieties may give them serious indigestion. But , hey, go for it!

[MAexile]

Russia nationalized Morozov’s property during the Communist revolution.

I wonder how long it'll be before the One nationalizes our property?

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Pierre Konowaloff of France argues in recent court papers that Russian authorities in the 1917 revolution unlawfully confiscated the painting owned by Konowaloff's ancestor and that the United States deemed the theft a violation of international law.

The way I see it, he owes Yale the cost of maintenance, acquisition cost, and overhead fees for protecting this piece of art. Doubt he has the money to pay these obligations. He should be whipped for accusing Yale of criminal acts.

[JohnBovenmyer]

I wonder how long it'll be before the One nationalizes our property?

When (I pray not 'if') we recover power there is going to be a LOT to undo, including trying to make a right as is practical the illegalities in the GM/Chrysler thefts. Lots of union loot should be reappropriated based on the fraudulent information given the courts. Not to mention some RICO tripling. Once we have the power to do so, Congress in the enabling legislation should set up some new, temporary courts with jurisdiction over the proceedings to keep all the corrupt Rat judges out of the way.

[Larry381]

Speaking of looted artifacts, the Germans looted one of the most famous and invaluable pieces of all times. It was called the Amber Room located in the Catherine Palace in St Petersburg. It is/was priceless and to this day it’s never been found.
The Nazis dismantled the amber panels and shipped them to Germany during World War II, and they have never been found. Much mystery surrounds the fate of the amber room panels, and many Russians believe that they still exist somewhere in Germany. Russian artists began recreating the amber panels using the old techniques in the early 1980’s, and the room was opened to the public in 2003.