Somewhat unexpectedly, there’s some big news in the world of restitution claims. Lawyer Nicholas O’Donnell reveals the ruling in the complex von Saher case involving two Cranach paintings that had a long and complicated path to arrive at the Norton Simon museum:

The U.S. District Court awarded the Norton Simon Museum summary judgment on the claims to ownership of Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder, ending pending further appeal a nearly decade-old litigation.  Over the years, the Von Saher case has made new law about statutes of limitations, constitutional law, and the scope of U.S. foreign policy as it impacts the courts.  Like the Cassirer case last year, it is a bitter blow for the claimants who labored for years to recover the paintings and for whom it appeared their day in court had arrived.

Norton Simon Museum Prevails Against Von Saher Claim to Cranachs Looted by the Nazis (Sullivan & Worcester)