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The Art World’s Russian Prisoner Dilemma

A fight over a century-old portrait, which ended up in Chicago after being uprooted by the Nazis, has the potential to reshape the landscape of art ownership disputes and even draw in the Biden administration.

Alvin Bragg’s efforts have resulted in several museums parting with their Schieles.
Alvin Bragg’s efforts have resulted in several museums parting with their Schieles. Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images
Eriq Gardner
November 6, 2023

Hidden away in the cool, dim chambers of the Art Institute of Chicago resides a piece of art history—a 1916 watercolor and pencil drawing titled Russian War Prisoner, crafted by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele. While it may not rank among the world’s most renowned or valuable artworks, it is certainly one of the most legally enthralling. As they say, possession is nine-tenths of the law. Yet in this case, despite the sanctuary in which it resides, it’s not entirely obvious who, exactly, owns Russian War Prisoner.