Sotheby's auction of $180m Van Gogh challenged over claims it was 'sold under duress'
Sotheby's is facing a challenge regarding the auction of a Vincent van Gogh painting, with heirs of the Fischer family claiming it was sold under duress during the Nazi era. The auction house is currently in dialogue with the family to reach a resolution.
Why it matters
Raises significant ethical and legal questions regarding the provenance of art and the restitution of assets seized during the Holocaust.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Vincent van Gogh's Châtaigniers en fleurs is displayed ahead of this week's auction
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.
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