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Judge Restricts Movement
Of  Nazi-Looted Painting
Associated  Press


PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A federal judge on Friday granted a request  by the 
estate of a late Jewish art dealer to stop an elderly German baroness  from further 
moving a painting that it claims was looted by the Nazis. 
U.S. District Judge Mary Lisi also ordered Maria-Luise  Bissonnette, who 
inherited the painting and now lives in Providence, to permit  representatives 
from Max Stern's estate to inspect the artwork and ensure it is  being stored 
properly and in appropriate condition. 
The Canadian foundation that inherited Mr. Stern's estate filed a  lawsuit in 
federal court in Providence last year to reclaim the 19th century  painting, 
"Girl from the Sabiner Mountains," by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. The  painting 
was auctioned under duress after the Nazis forced Mr. Stern to close a  family 
gallery in 1937 under the German government's anti-Jewish laws, according  to 
the suit. 
The painting was acquired by Ms. Bissonnette's stepfather, Karl  Wilharm, and 
was later inherited by the woman. Lawyers for the plaintiffs say  Ms. 
Bissonnette secretly rushed the painting to Germany after learning the  estate was 
considering a lawsuit. Ms. Bissonnette said last week that she and  her family 
had done nothing wrong. 
Judge Lisi on Friday said Ms. Bissonnette could not move the  painting again 
without court permission. The two sides had been negotiating but  have reached 
an impasse, Samuel Zurier, a lawyer for the estate, told the judge.  Also 
Friday, Ms. Bissonnette's local lawyer withdrew from the case because of  
differences of opinion with his client. 
Copyright © 2007 Associated  Press



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