Nazi-looted painting to be auctioned as owners` heirs fail to halt sale
(The Guardian Austria)

Auction house Im Kinsky accused of moral bankruptcy for selling Bartholomeus van der Helst´s Portrait of a Man despite disputed ownership A 17th-century Dutch old master painting which was stolen by the Nazis is to be auctioned in Vienna next week, provoking outrage from the heirs of the owners from whom it was looted who have accused the auction house of moral bankruptcy.Auctioneers at Im Kinsky have not shied away from describing the painting, Bartholomeus van der Helst´s Portrait of a Man, as disputed stolen art in the sales catalogue. They state that its current owner bought it in good faith from a German art dealer in 2004 and therefore under Austrian law she has the right to sell it. Continue reading...