The International Center of the Roerichs has appealed a court decision to transfer its collection of paintings to the state without its knowledge.

Moscow's Ostankino Court today transferred ownership to the Russian Federation 272 paintings The artist Nicholas Roerich and his sons were declared ownerless. The International Center of the Roerichs disagreed with this decision and appealed it. 

"Following a lawsuit filed by the Moscow Prosecutor's Office, the court transferred paintings by Nicholas Roerich and his sons, Svyatoslav and Yuri, currently in storage at the State Museum of Oriental Art, to state ownership."- сообщили in the court's press service.

Same source addedThe International Center of the Roerichs, an international public organization, filed an appeal, stating that the Center is the owner of the paintings. However, it was not even brought into the case in the trial court.

"An unprecedented case occurred in the Ostankino Court when, without the participation of the ICR, the owner, the court ruled that the paintings and other heritage illegally seized from the ICR were ownerless and transferred to state ownership. The ICR also learned of this decision by accident."- said Vice President of the organization Alexander Stetsenko. 

The court hearing will take place on December 16. 

Nicholas Roerich (1874 - 1947) - Russian artist, stage designer, thinker, writer, traveler, archaeologist, public figure. During his life created He created approximately 7000 paintings, many of which are in renowned galleries around the world. He was also the founder of the international cultural movements "Peace through Culture" and "Banner of Peace." He was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He died in India. 

Photo: publicly available sources