Goodfella De Niro wants his paintings back
Published on: 20-Nov-2007
Goodfellas star Robert De Niro is reportedly going to issue a lawsuit to try to reclaim some of his late father's paintings.It is thought the actor is decidedly under-whelmed with New York gallery Salander-O'Reilly decision to sell 12 of his late father Robert De Niro Senior's works to pay off a $5 million debt.
It would appear the pictures were "entrusted" to the gallery but instead of selling them on behalf of the De Niro family, they were allegedly given to Benucci S.r.1, which owns art-houses in Rome, to cover a debt repayment.
A spokesman for law firm Wilkie Farr & Gallagher said: "Based on documents that have been provided to us, it appears that in June 2007, Salander O'Reilly galleries attempted to settle $5 million in debt that it owed to Benucci by delivering over 50 paintings to Bennucci, including 12 paintings of Robert De Niro Senior owned by his son."
De Niro Senior, who died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 71, was a well-respected artist.
He won the prestigious Guggenheim fellowship in 1968.
His son has gone on to fame and fortune as one of Hollywood's most enduring stars.
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