Ramón y Cajal advises on process of returning two historial art pieces
For the first time, two significant works of art requisitioned by the Franco regime, are being restored to their rightful owners.
On September 2, the official ceremony will take place at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, chaired by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. ‘Portrait of a horseman’, attributed to Frans Pourbus El Joven (1569-1622), and the ‘Portrait of la Reina María Cristina de Borbón’, which is attributed to Vicente López Portaña (1772-1850).
The return of these two works 85 years later, sets a historical precedent in the restitution of works seized in the Civil War.
The team from Ramón y Cajal specialised in art law, led by partners, Rafael Mateu de Ros and Patricia Fernández Lorenzo, were able to ensure that the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism request for voluntary return made by the heirs of businessman Ramón de la Sota y Llano, of two significant works of art requisitioned by the Franco regime and whose real ownership was unknown by the Administration itself.
