Three great-grandchildren of wealthy Hungarian art collector Baron Mor Lipot Herzog won a small victory earlier this month in their case against the government of Hungary. A federal court has denied all but a few claims of the country's motion to dismiss. The heirs are fighting for the return of the Baron's art collection that was seized during World War II.

Ownership of more than 40 artworks was originally at stake. The court dismissed claims to 11 paintings because a Hungarian court had ruled on them before. Hungary will keep those paintings.

The claims to the remaining pieces were "substantial and non-frivolous," the court stated. The heirs argued that Hungarian officials violated international law when it took possession of the artworks during the Holocaust.

Hungarian law at the time required that Jews register their artworks with the government. Hungary had allied with Germany, and the Nazi anti-Semitic laws were in full effect. The family hid the collection, which included paintings by El Greco and Lucas Cranach the Elder, among others. The hiding place was soon discovered, and the art was confiscated by Hungarian officials and Nazi leaders alike.

The complaint and the memorandum opinion make for compelling reading. Many members of the Herzog family -- the Baron had died in the early '30s -- fled late in the war to Portugal and Argentina. Others stayed behind.

At the end of the war, the Hungarian government returned several works to the family and promised to return others. The promises were on paper, and the art remained with the government, museums and the university. The family claims that the government harassed them about the pieces that were physically returned until the family finally agreed to allow the works to be displayed at Hungarian institutions.

Then the Communists came to power.

To be continued.

Source: DAVID L. de CSEPEL, et al. v. REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY, et al., Memorandum, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Civil Action No. 10-1261 (ESH), filed Sept. 1, 2011