A judge has ordered a Detroit museum to keep a painting by Vincent van Gogh, worth over $5 million, titled “The Novel Reader” or “The Reading Lady”, after its owner, Brokerarte Capital Partners LLC and Gustavo Soter of Brazil, filed a lawsuit claiming the painting has been missing for almost six years. The painting is currently on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts as part of the “Van Gogh in America” exhibition, which ends on January 22. The lawsuit seeks for the painting to be returned to the owner. The museum has said it accepted the loan of the painting in accordance with best museum practices and it is protected by federal law. A court hearing is scheduled for January 19.
