The Catalan government in Spain has formally demanded €791,000 from the Aragonese government for the repayment of costs related to 56 artworks that were returned from the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Sigena in 2017. Of these works, 12 were kept at the National Art Museum of Catalonia and 44 at the Diocesan Museum of Lleida.

The artworks had been removed from the monastery in 1936 to protect them during the Spanish Civil War. In a decision made by Spain’s Supreme Court in 2021, it was ruled that these items form part of the artistic treasure of the Monastery of Sijena and must be protected.

The Catalan government stated in their document that the nullification of the purchase agreements led to mutual restitution of payments and a settlement on possessory status. They intend to negotiate a resolution within 30 days, warning they will return to court if negotiations fail.

Given the historical significance of these artworks, one wonders whether this legal wrangle over their fate is worth the associated costs in a world where art conservation often faces funding challenges.