An 11-year-long legal battle over a prized Amedeo Modigliani painting has concluded in favour of the heirs of its original Jewish owner. Judge Joel M. Cohen ruled that Seated Man With a Cane, dating from 1918, rightfully belongs to Oscar Stettiner's estate. The Nahmad family, who had held onto the artwork for decades, lost their case despite attempting to cast doubt on its provenance.

The ruling marks an unlikely success for Philippe Maestracci, grandson of the original owner, and Mondex, a company that specializes in recovering looted art. Valued at over $25 million, the painting's journey through legal proceedings has been complicated by its opaque ownership history and the revelation of links between the Nahmads and offshore entities in 2016.

Judge Cohen’s decision was based on a wealth of pre-war exhibition records and post-war restitution filings that tied the artwork to Stettiner. He rejected arguments from the Nahmads, stating they failed to present any credible evidence suggesting Oscar Stettiner had voluntarily relinquished his claim on the painting.

The case is seen as a significant step forward in addressing Nazi-looted art disputes and highlights how provenance can be manipulated or lost over time. It also underscores the importance of thorough documentation in such legal battles, with inaccuracies often obscuring the true origins of artworks.