Howard Spiegler’s Recovery of Art Stolen by Nazis Made Into A Movie

May 18, 2021 – Media Mention
University of Pennsylvania, Pi Kappa Alpha

Howard Spiegler and Lawrence M. Kaye were featured in the alumni newsletter for the Beta Pi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at the University of Pennsylvania, Spiegler's alma mater. The article discussed their involvement in the award-winning documentary Portrait of Wally, which features the "ground-breaking legal proceedings to recover the Egon Schiele painting, Portrait of Wally (Wally), that had been on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), on loan from the Leopold Museum in Austria."

The article further states that "[Spiegler's] renown as a trailblazer and legal giant in the practice of art law is well deserved. The sheer complexity of the case due to the passage of time, the gathering of evidence, and recognizing the opportunities and pitfalls of conflicting laws in Austria, New York State, and the United States, shows his resourcefulness, initiative, and creativity. His ability to interpret these laws, apply them to his case, and convince others to take action in furtherance of his clients’ interests, when the likelihood of success was miniscule, is awe-inspiring."

Read the full piece here and learn more about the documentary here.