Tara Chislett – The Aquinian
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery will keep 85 paintings that the Beaverbrook Foundation said were loans, an appeals panel has decided.
The ruling upheld the 2007 decision of former Supreme Court of Canada justice Peter Cory.
The dispute focused on 133 paintings, which the gallery said were gifts to New Brunswick from Lord Beaverbrook. Two of the disputed works, “The Fountain of Indolence” by J.M.W. Turner and “Hotel Bedroom” by Lucien Freud alone have an estimated worth over $30 million.
In a statement, the Foundation said it is disappointed with the ruling, but “relieved the process is over.”
“While we stand by the arguments presented during the proceedings with respect to ownership of the works in dispute, we will respect and abide by the panel’s ruling,” the statement said.
The remaining 48 paintings will be returned to the foundation.
