DETROIT (AP) 鈥� A judge on Wednesday ordered a Detroit museum to hold onto an 1888 painting by Vincent van Gogh in response to a lawsuit by its owner, who claims it has been missing for nearly six years.
The painting, titled 鈥淭he Novel Reader鈥� or 鈥淭he Reading Lady,鈥� is part of a rare van Gogh exhibit, which ends Jan. 22
Brokerarte Capital Partners LLC and its sole proprietor, Gustavo Soter of Brazil, acquired the painting in 2017 for $3.7 million, but a 鈥渢hird party鈥� took possession of the art, according to the lawsuit.
鈥淧laintiff has not known the location of the painting,鈥� the lawsuit states. 鈥淩ecently, however, plaintiff learned that the painting is in the DIA鈥檚 possession, on display as part of the museum鈥檚 鈥榁an Gogh in America鈥� exhibition.鈥�
The lawsuit seeks to have the painting turned over to the owner. U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh barred the museum from moving it, a temporary step before a court hearing on Jan. 19.
The painting is worth more than $5 million, according to the lawsuit.
The museum declined to comment on the dispute but said 鈥渘o allegation of misconduct by the DIA has been alleged.鈥�
The oil-on-canvas painting indicates that it鈥檚 on loan from a collection in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is one of 80 van Gogh works in the exhibition and remained on display Wednesday.
鈥淭he loan was accepted in accordance with best museum practices and is subject to the protections of applicable federal law through registration with the U.S. Department of State,鈥� the museum said.
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Ed White, The Associated Press
