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I have read two different claims to the effect that Fidel Castro's latest gift to the King of Spain, which the king accepted and for which he thanked Castro, is a painting by Sorolla taken from a Cuban museum, which may originally have been confiscated from a private Cuban owner. It is known that Moratinos, during his recent Cuba visit, attended an exhibition of works by Sorolla. I do not know, but do suspect, that these works may be or include the Sorolla collection of the Fanjul family, which is confiscated property.

Regardless of the actual details, Cubans have a right to know exactly what the Castro regime has given away and to whom, since many or all of these gifts are bound to be either part of Cuba's patrimony or out-and-out stolen goods, meaning they are being held illegitimately. Appropriate and relevant legal action is obviously called for as soon as that becomes feasible.

Nothing motivates like a little negative PR. Let's all take a minute to drop a vote of no-confidence in Sotheby's suggestion box.
Here's mine:

I would like to urge Sotheby's to end it's unethical practice of buying and selling Cuban artworks that have been seized, expropriated or otherwise looted, from their rightful owners by the current regime in that country. Obviously, it is morally and ethically repugnant for an organization with the reputation and prestige of Sotheby's to engage in such a practice. American consumers, of Cuban extraction and otherwise, have taken keen notice of this unjust business practice. Thank you.

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