The Romanian government has initiated legal action against Christie's auction house and Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev to prevent the sale of El Greco's painting, San Sebastian, allegedly stolen over 70 years ago. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasizes the painting's significance to Romania's history and claims it cannot be sold as it is considered stolen property. Shortly before King Michael I's abdication in 1947, the artwork was reportedly moved to a Swiss account without proper authorization. Christie's withdrew the painting from auction after learning of Romania's claim.
The painting is of great importance to Romania, and its national history, and is stolen property until it is returned to the Romanian state," said the nation's prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu.
If this unique, historically significant, and irreplaceable painting is sold before Romania can have her ownership claims heard and adjudicated, it would cause immediate and irreparable harm to the State of Romania and her people," Ciolacu continued.
Christie's takes provenance research seriously and offers property when it believes it will pass good title," the auction house stated.
The Romanian government wants to bring the hammer down on the sell-off before it happens with claims that the image of the Christian martyr St. Sebastian being pierced by arrows was stolen and cannot be legally sold.
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