A bitter dispute is unfolding in Romania over the ownership of a rare painting by the renowned Spanish artist El Greco. The “Portrait of a Gentleman” (c. 1600-1610), valued at tens of millions of dollars, is at the center of a tug-of-war between the Romanian state and a wealthy businessman, Gabriel Păunescu. The painting, one of only four portraits by El Greco in Romanian collections, has been on display at the National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR) since 1948.
Păunescu claims that the painting belongs to his family and was nationalized during Romania’s communist era. He is seeking to reclaim the artwork, which he believes was unjustly taken from his relatives. However, the Romanian state argues that the painting is part of the country’s cultural heritage and should remain in the public domain.
The dispute has sparked a heated debate about cultural patrimony, ownership, and the role of museums in preserving national treasures. The MNAR has argued that the painting has been an integral part of Romania’s cultural heritage for over 70 years and that its removal would be a significant loss for the nation. The case is currently being deliberated by Romania’s Constitutional Court, which will determine the fate of the painting.
The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching implications for Romania’s cultural institutions and the country’s approach to restitution claims. As the court weighs its decision, the future of the “Portrait of a Gentleman” hangs in the balance, wits both sides passionately arguing their case.
