According to its press office, Christie’s, at this writing, has not yet decided whether to go ahead with the sale tomorrow night of the blue-period Picasso owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s foundation, in the wake of an unsuccessful attempt in U.S. District Court to stop the sale.
Here is the latest statement released by Christies:
Christie’s is pleased that Judge Rakoff has dismissed the case involving the picture “Portrait de Angel de Soto.” The last minute action taken by these individuals against a charity is a disservice to the restitution community and the restitution process that has been created to serve those with authentic interests in stolen and plundered art. This kind of inappropriate action does damage to the public, museums and, above all, the true claimant community. We are now in conversation with the owner as to what future actions to take.