Oscar Stettiner

Oscar Stettiner was a British Jewish art dealer who lived in Paris during World War II. He is newsworthy because his heirs have been engaged in a long legal battle to recover a painting by Amedeo Modigliani, "Seated Man with a Cane" (1918), that was confiscated by the Nazis during the occupation of France in 1943. Recently, the Supreme Court of New York ruled in favor of Stettiner's grandson, Philippe Maestracci, declaring him the rightful heir to the artwork. This decision marks a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to restitute art stolen from Jewish families during the Nazi era. The case highlights the complexities and challenges involved in tracing and reclaiming looted art, and underscores the importance of holding those responsible for these acts accountable.