Robert De Niro reclaims late father’s artwork
By ANIWednesday, March 17, 2010
LONDON - American actor Robert De Niro has reclaimed some of his late father’s artwork after he brokered a deal with the administrators of a bankrupt New York City gallery.
De Niro, 66, who is the executor of his father’s estate, filed suit against Salander-O’Reilly Galleries owner Lawrence Salander in 2007, alleging he sold some of De Niro Sr.’s works to settle the company’s debts.
The actor has now made a deal with the trustee overseeing the bankrupt firm, to stop the pieces from going to auction along with other works once housed at the gallery, reports the Daily Express.
He handed over an 8,750-pound cheque in exchange for six works of art by his father, who was an abstract expressionist painter and sculptor.
The artwork represents half the number of the pieces gallery founder Salander has been charged with stealing from De Niro Sr.
According to the New York Post, the lot of 12 works was valued at more than 625,000 pounds.
Salander declared bankruptcy in 2007 and is awaiting trial on charges of cheating clients out of 55 million pounds. (ANI)
