DUBAI, (MILLAT/APP/AFP) – Christie’s said Thursday
it was pulling a painting by Iraqi artist Faeq Hassan from an
auction later this week in Dubai because of a “dispute
over ownership”.
“As per Christie’s protocol we would not offer works of
art when there might be a dispute over title of
ownership,” Alexandra Kindermann, senior communications director
at the auction house, said.
“As a result the work Untitled (Salah Al-Din, presumably
Battle of Hattin) by Faeq Hassan, painted in 1968, has been
withdrawn from the upcoming auction on 18 March in Dubai,” she said
in a statement.
The decision comes after Iraqi authorities said that
the painting belongs to the Iraqi state and had been smuggled out
of the country.
“We believe that the painting is owned by the Iraqi state
and has been smuggled out,” of the country “and according to
experts and artists it was on display at the officers’ club of
the defence ministry,” Iraqi member of parliament Maysoon
al-Damluji told AFP.
Damluji, who heads parliament’s commission of
culture and information, said that the auction house has requested
proof of ownership.
“We have witnesses who say they painting was on display
at the officers’ club… it is part of Iraqi heritage,”
she added.
The oil on canvas was listed by Christie’s as one of
the highlights of an auction of modern and contemporary Middle
Eastern art due to take place on Saturday
in Dubai.
Christie’s estimates the painting to be worth between
$400,000 and $500,000, according to its website.