"Legal Victory for Guggenheim Foundation: Court Dismisses Restitution Claim Over Picasso's 'Woman Ironing'"

"The First Department unanimously upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation regarding the restitution of Picasso's "Woman Ironing." The plaintiffs claimed the painting was sold under duress in 1938 by its former owner, Karl Adler, who fled Nazi Germany. The court ruled that the plaintiffs failed to establish duress, the claims were barred by laches due to an 85-year delay, and the sale was ratified by Adler. The decision affirms the Guggenheim's ownership of the artwork."

The law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP represented the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in a legal dispute concerning the ownership of the Picasso masterpiece, *Woman Ironing*. The plaintiffs, claiming to be indirect beneficiaries of the estate of Karl Adler, sought restitution of the painting or damages of $100-200 million, alleging that Adler sold the painting under duress in 1938 after fleeing Nazi Germany. The Guggenheim argued that the sale was valid, citing the absence of duress, the doctrine of ratification, and the plaintiffs’ failure to act for 85 years, which constituted laches. The New York State Supreme Court dismissed the case in June 2024, and the Appellate Division, First Department, unanimously affirmed the dismissal in October 2025. The Davis Polk team included partner Antonio J. Perez-Marques, who argued the motion to dismiss and the appeal, counsel Caroline Stern, and associates Kyra Macy Kaufman and Hugh Hansard Verrier.

"Legal Victory for Guggenheim Foundation: Court Dismisses Restitution Claim Over Picasso's 'Woman Ironing'"

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