Stephen Hahn (art dealer)

Stephen Hahn (February 1, 1921 – April 2, 2011) was an American art dealer and collector. An expert on Picasso, Degas, and others, he held one of the most significant collections of twentieth century masters during his years operating the Stephen Hahn Gallery in New York City.[1]

Early life

Born in Hungary, Hahn moved to Paris at the age of twelve. His father was an art dealer who specialized in the Old Masters. During World War II, Stephen lived in Santo Domingo, spending 6 years there and working as a surveyor. After the war, he returned to Paris, where he attended the École du Louvre, and studied and taught at the Sorbonne. In 1952, he moved to New York City with his wife, Nancy, an American.[2][3]

Career

Hahn began his career as a New York art dealer buying and selling paintings from the trunk of his car.[2] An early champion of Jean Dubuffet, he eventually opened the Stephen Hahn Gallery at 75th Street and Madison Avenue.[1] [2]

A founding member of the Art Dealers Association of America, he donated art to cultural institutions worldwide. His personal collection featured pieces by such modern masters as Picasso, Cezanne, and Matisse.[2]

Philanthropy

Hahn was a benefactor of the Music Academy of the West near Santa Barbara, CA, with Hahn Hall being named after him.[1] [2][4]

Art theft

In 1969, seven paintings were stolen from the Hahn gallery. Valued at $500,000 in total, the works included pieces by Monet and Pissarro. Ironically, while the theft was occurring, Hahn was discussing the subject of art theft with the Art Dealers Association of America.[5]

Nazi looted art

Two paintings embroiled in Nazi-era restitution cases involved the Stephen Hahn gallery. The Camille Pissarro painting, "Rue St. Honoré, après midi, effet de pluie" which is disputed in the Cassirer v Thyssen case, was purchased in October 1976 by Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza from the Stephen Hahn Gallery after passing through the dealers Frank Perls and Knoedler.[6][7] In another case, Picasso's “Femme en Blanc” (Woman in White) was purchased by Marilyn Alsdorf and her late husband, James from Stephen Hahn. When the painting turned out to be Nazi-looted art that had belonged to the Bennigson family, the Bennigsons sued the Alsdorfs for the restitution of the painting and the Alsdorfs sued Hahn for having sold them looted art.[8][9][10][11]

References
  1. "Stephen Hahn 1921 - 2011 : Art Dealer Financed Music Academy's Concert Hall". Santa Barbara Independent. April 19, 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  2. "Stephen Hahn Obituary". New York Times. Apr 7, 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  3. "Oral history interview with Stephan Hahn, 2008 Mar. 14". Archives of American Art. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  4. "Music Academy Unveils Hahn Hall". Santa Barbara Independent. June 26, 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  5. "The Art of Irony". Time. April 13, 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  6. "Case 2:05-cv-03459-JFW-E Document 621 Filed 04/30/19" (PDF). UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA.
  7. "No. 20-1566 In the Supreme Court of the United States DAVID CASSIRER, et al., v. THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA COLLECTION FOUNDATION" (PDF).
  8. "Deal in allegedly stolen-art case". Los Angeles Times. 2005-07-27. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
  9. Vogel (NYT), Carol (2004-10-27). "National Briefing | Midwest: Illinois: F.B.I. Seizes Picasso Linked To Nazi Looting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
  10. "$6.5 million will end Picasso fight". Chicago Tribune. 10 August 2005. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
  11. "In Two Cases, Families of Victims Ask Court for Return of Nazi-looted Art". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2005-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
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