A landmark court ruling in New York has brought long-awaited justice to the heirs of a Jewish art dealer whose prized painting was stolen during World War II. After more than a decade of legal battles, a judge has ordered the return of a valuable artwork by Amedeo Modigliani to the estate of its original owner, marking a significant victory in the ongoing global effort to restore art looted by the Nazis.

At the center of the case is the 1918 oil painting Seated Man with a Cane, a portrait that has been valued at approximately $25 million. The work once belonged to Oscar Stettiner, a British-born dealer who operated a gallery in Paris during the 1930s. During the Nazi occupation of France, Stettiner was forced to flee, leaving behind his collection, which was later confiscated and sold without his consent.

In a decisive ruling, New York Supreme Court Justice Joel M. Cohen concluded that the painting rightfully belongs to Stettiner’s estate. The judge determined that the artwork seized during the war was indeed the same piece now in dispute and that Stettiner had never willingly relinquished ownership. The ruling emphasized that no credible evidence had been presented to challenge the estate’s claim.

This decision brings closure to an 11-year legal fight initiated by Stettiner’s grandson, Philippe Maestracci. The case highlights not only the enduring impact of Nazi-era looting but also the evolving role of investigative journalism in uncovering hidden ownership structures tied to disputed artworks.

A crucial turning point in the case came with revelations........

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