Antique tug-of-war over Italian
painter's work
Published: Monday, Jan 31, 2011, 1:00 IST
By Rakesh Bhatnagar
Famous Italian painter Federico Andreotti (1847
to 1930), known for his historical figurative paintings, could
be turning in his grave with his name being dragged into a legal
dispute over the antique value of his masterpiece Reconciled that
an Indian auctioneer had sold about a decade ago.
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) says Reconciled being
an antique piece is a national treasure, but auction house M/s.
Bowrings Fine Art Auctioneers Pvt. Ltd contested this claim.
Bowrings had sold two paintings Reconciled by Frederico
Andreotti and The Kill by George D Rowlandson to one Messrs
Tony Haynes of England on November 20, 2002.
When the two paintings were being shipped to England the archaeology
wing of customs on January 17, 2003, prima facie opined they were
to be antiquities and referred the matter to ASI director-general
for a final opinion and necessary action under the Antiquities
and Art Treasures (AAT) Act, 1972. Accordingly, a panchnama of
the paintings was prepared. These works of art were detained by
the superintendent of customs.
The ASI on June 30, 2003, informed the Customs that a nominee
of the director-general had examined the paintings and come to
the conclusion that they could be registered as antiquities.
Later, an expert panel found that only Reconciled was an antique
piece of art.
The CBI then registered a case against the auction house. The
Delhi high court refused to quash the charge sheet and allowed
the prosecution.
Aggrieved by this decision, M/s. Bowrings moved the Supreme Court
(SC) but it couldn't persuade the top court to drop the charges
under the AAT act.
Besides the auction house, the two foreign nationals who had
purchased the paintings are also accused in this case.
The SC said it's for the trial court to determine whether a case
is made out against them under the law.
Thus, during the awaited trial the rarely applied act would be
the focal point of the arguments and the court is expected to
judge whether Reconciled is an antique piece of art.
Federico Andreotti was born in Italy and received his training
at an academy in Florence. There he studied with Enrico Pollastrini,
the president of the academy, and Angiolo Tricca, another Italian
painter.
His academic studies prepared him well for his chosen subject
- historical figurative paintings set in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The late 19th century saw a resurgence of interest in this period
of elegance and many artists, including Toudouze & Moreau
in France, Marcus Stone in England, and Madrazo in Spain, worked
towards satisfying the growing need for these art works.
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_antique-tug-of-war-over-italian-painter-s-work_1501151
Federico Andreotti - The Serenade
Engraved by G.E. after a picture by George D Rowlandson