Germany's Federal Court of Justice reviews ownership of Beltracchi forgery

The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) is reviewing a legal dispute regarding the ownership of the painting ‘Rotes Bild mit Pferden’ (Red Picture with Horses). The artwork, which was created by notorious art forger Wolfgang Beltracchi, is at the center of a battle for its return.

Beltracchi, who was convicted in 2011 for his role in one of the largest art forgery scandals in post-war history, is seeking the handover of the painting. The work was originally sold for nearly 2.9 million euros under the false pretense that it was a piece by Heinrich Campendonk. The fraud was uncovered in 2010 when the presence of titanium white pigment—a substance that did not exist in 1914 when the painting was purportedly created—was detected.

The Fifth Civil Senate of the BGH in Karlsruhe is tasked with clarifying the ownership rights following a decision by the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe. A final ruling is expected on January 15.