Batthyánys to get back Bruegel

Budapest, January 20 (MTI) – A painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder can be transferred from the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest (Szépművészeti Múzeum) to the claimants since the Hungarian state’s ownership of the work has not been proven conclusively, according to a decision released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.

The claim for the 16th-century Flemish painting, “The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist”, was submitted by Veronika Batthyány-Strattmann and Ádám Batthyány in August last year.

Before the transfer, the claimants must prove that they are the legal heirs, according to the decision made by János Lázár, the government office chief.

The decision notes that the ownership of the painting must still be validated by a court.

Until the ownership is stated clearly, the painting will be kept in the museum.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters