And Another: Fake Rothko from Knoedler

Knoedler who? On January 29, 2013, the Martin Hilti Family Trust (the “Trust”) accused Knoedler gallery, the gallery that was and that is no more, of selling it a fake Mark Rothko on 2002. In a 45-page complaint, the Trust brought suit against the gallery’s former owner, Michael Hammer; its former president, Ann Freedman, and a Long Island Dealer, Glafira Rosales. The painting in question “Untitled (1956)” came with a $5.5 million price tag. More than 10 years later, the Trust ordered a forensic analysis of the painting, which revealed use of pigments that were not developed until the 1960s.

For a brief account of one of the four suits now pending in Manhattan federal court against Knoedler, read Knoedler faces another suit.

In The Martin Hilti Family Trust v. Knoedler Gallery, LLC et all, 1:2013cv00657, Plaintiff is represented by a legal team with Pryor Cashman, LLP, Hammer is represented by Chalres D. Schmerler, and Freedman is represented by Nicholas Gravante, Jr.

There are twelve (12) claims for relief in the complaint, in which Plaintiff seeks damages “in an amount not less than $5.5 million,” and if possible pre-judgement statutory interest, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

Source: The New York Times; Justia.com; Gallerista.com.