Reykjavík District Court ruled yesterday that the City of Reykjavík does not have to return the property of painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval to his descendants.
The District Court concluded that Kjarval had donated his paintings and personal belongings from his study in Reykjavík to the city on November 7 1968. Morgunbladid reports.
Kjarval told Geir Hallgrímsson, former Mayor of Reykjavík, that the city could take over his possessions after his death, but no written proof of the agreement exists.
Kristinn Bjarnason, the lawyer of Kjarval’s descendants, said the ruling is a disappointment and said they will probably appeal to the Supreme Court.
Kristbjörg Stephensen, who represented the City of Reykjavík, said the ruling had not come as a surprise and that it had proven that Kjarval had indeed donated his paintings and personal belongings to the city in 1968.
Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972) is one of the most famous Icelandic artists. He is famous for his landscape paintings and paintings of figures from folk tales and sagas. His work is on display in Kjarvalsstadir museum in Reykjavík.
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