Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Romanian Art Thieves Still Mum on Stolen Works

September 10, 2013 by Marion Maneker

Radu Dogaru
Radu Dogaru

The Romanian art thieves have been trying negotiate a transfer of their case to Holland but that outcome seems unlikely give the disclosure in a Romanian court today that the Dutch foundation that owned the stolen works has transferred ownership to insurers in exchange for $24m, according to the New York Times:

While Tuesday’s session provided no evidence either way, assertions made by defense lawyers of a secret contract transferring ownership of the artwork to a Lloyd’s of London insurance underwriter indicated that the Triton Foundation, the original owner, had decided to cut its losses.

The change of ownership claim, made before Bucharest’s District 3 Court, adds yet another layer of confusion to a saga in which the defendants have confessed to either stealing, transporting or hiding the artwork but have repeatedly changed their stories about what happened after the pieces were moved by car from Rotterdam to Carcaliu, the remote Romanian village where Mr. Dogaru’s mother lived until her arrest in March.

Update: During the same hearing, the defendant’s lawyer made an explicit bid to have his  client moved to the Netherlands in exchange for the works:

“My client has made a 180-degree turn and is now saying: if the Dutch authorities don’t want to take me, nobody will ever see those paintings again,” Dogaru’s lawyer, Catalin Dancu, told reporters in court today. The five artworks are currently abroad and “in the custody” of a Russian, who is trying to sell them, Dancu said.

New Twist Unveiled in Case of Art Stolen from Dutch Museum (NYTimes)

Accused Art Thief Won’t Reveal Where Works Are Hidden (Bloomberg)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • AMM Fantasy Collecting London Contemporary: A Look at the ResultsAMM Fantasy Collecting London Contemporary: A Look at the Results
  • A View from the Contemporary Market: Kathryn WidingA View from the Contemporary Market: Kathryn Widing
  • K11 Art Mall Hosts Monet Show in ShanghaiK11 Art Mall Hosts Monet Show in Shanghai
  • Vernissage TV: Art Stage Singapore 2012Vernissage TV: Art Stage Singapore 2012
  • The Dark Side of Chinese Contemporary ArtThe Dark Side of Chinese Contemporary Art
  • Artelligence Podcast: Joan Miró’s Constellations at Acquavella GalleriesArtelligence Podcast: Joan Miró’s Constellations at Acquavella Galleries

Filed Under: Fraud, Theft & Restitution

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor
 

Loading Comments...