Bic Family Heirs Sue for Recovery of Allegedly Stolen Fra Angelico Masterpiece

In March, descendants of the Bic family fortune initiated legal proceedings in New York State Supreme Court seeking the return of a Fra Angelico painting titled 'Saint Sixtus' (circa 1453–55). The lawsuit alleges the artwork was stolen by the family's chauffeur, Roy Morrow, who then sold it to the late art dealer Richard L. Feigen for approximately $3 million. Feigen subsequently consigned the piece to Christie's, where it was reportedly purchased in 2018 for $5.4 million by Chilean billionaire Álvaro Saieh and his wife Ana Guzman. The painting was originally acquired in 1972 by Bic founder Baron Marcel Bich and later inherited by his son Bruno, who displayed it in his New York residence. According to the complaint, Bruno was unaware of the theft before his death, only noticing the artwork's disappearance. The legal action names as defendants the executors of Feigen's estate, including collector Michael Steinhardt, along with Saieh and Guzman. Christie's is not a defendant, and no public auction record exists for the transaction, suggesting a private sale. The heirs claim they identified the current owners in 2023 and formally demanded the painting's return in 2024, which was refused. In response, Saieh's legal representative stated they acquired the work through Christie's in good faith and intend to defend their rights. Notably, the New York Police Department has no record of the artwork being reported stolen. The case highlights ongoing disputes over provenance and ownership of historical artworks in the art market.