Hungarian Research Institute - A Research Ancillary of the University of Toronto

Stolen painting returned

HRIC's Chairman instrumental in returning a National Treasure to Hungary

October, 1999 -- As the 1998 July 27th issue of Maclean's Magazine reported, ”The Marriage Feast of Cana” by 16th century Italian painter Giorgio Vasari was smuggled out from Hungary and ended up in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 1963. The contested painting was originally part of the famous Eszterházy Collection and disappeared (was stolen) during the Second World War when the Budapest Fine Arts Museum was bombed.

After more then three decades of diplomatic maneuverings, and in particular, as a result of the persistent (behind the scenes) efforts of the Hungarian Research Institute and its Chairman, Dr. L.J. Simon, the Canadian Government has decided to clear away the obstacles to full cultural cooperation between the two nations and return the stolen art to its rightful owner, the Hungarian Government.

”I am gratified that our work finally yielded results. It is part of our mandate to foster relations between Canada and Hungary and this good-will gesture of the Canadian Government is a step in the right direction,” said the Chairman. 

The Canadian Government took the opportunity of the official visit to Canada of Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán to make the announcement.